II. 



GENERAL RULES OF CULTURE. 



S we have seen that the bulb is renewed 

 yearly, it follows that the chief end of cul- 

 ture should be to facilitate this renewal, 

 especially if we wish the plant to grow 

 stronger year by year, or to increase by 

 offsets. 



In ordinary house-culture, this end is 

 entirely lost sight of. The bulb is grown for the flower, 

 which, being already formed when the bulb is planted, is 

 only developed and brought to perfection. When the 

 flower has faded, the bulb is cast aside, and no further care 

 is given ; and as a natural consequence, even if the bulb 

 survives until another season, the flower (if it bloom at all) 

 is poor, weak, and worthless. 



The primary rule in bulb-culture is, grow the foliage well. 

 The stronger and more vigorous the leaves are, the stronger 

 will be the bulb, and, consequently, the larger and finer 



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