BULBS IN FRAMES. 149 



Compost. The natural soil should be dug out to a 

 depth of two feet, and a foot of broken bricks placed in 

 the bottom to serve as drainage. Over this place a layer 

 of turfs grass-side downwards. The space inside the frame 

 should be divided into small beds according to the number 

 of bulbs of each kind to be grown, using bricks on edge 

 for the divisions. The depth of each bed above the layer 

 of turfs should be sixteen inches, thus bringing the sur- 

 face above the level of the outside ground. Fill each com- 

 partment or bed with special compost, then plant the 

 bulbs. 



General Culture. The after treatment consists of 

 giving air freely, even in winter, on fine days, and re- 

 moving the sashes entirely in fine weather in spring and 

 summer. Watering must be carefully attended to. In 

 autumn and winter practically none will be required ; but 

 in spring, when growth becomes active, give sufficient to 

 keep the soil moist. Exposure to warm spring and early 

 summer rains will be beneficial, but when the ripening 

 period begins, protection from rain must be afforded; yet 

 plenty of air must be admitted at the same time. A 

 mulching of cow manure will be helpful, and should be 

 applied when growth commences. About every third or 

 fourth year the bulbs should, as a rule, be lifted and re- 

 planted in renewed compost, but so long as they show 

 no signs of deterioration they may remain undisturbed. 

 Given the foregoing simple code of treatment, many of the 

 more tender and beautiful half-hardy kinds may be grown 

 with success in a cold frame. 



