30 GENERAL RULES OF CULTURE. 



(F. meleagris). Crown imperials (Frittelaria imperialis) 

 should stand by themselves in clumps : if planted in 

 mixture with smaller bulbs, they cause them to appear 

 insignificant by their stately growth. 



In arrangement, again, the smaller bulbs should be 

 planted in the foreground, the taller growers behind : thus 

 each, when in bloom, appears to the best advantage. 



Much may be effected by a tasteful arrangement of 

 colors : clumps of white, blue, yellow, and purple crocus, 

 planted alternately with broad belts of snowdrops, are very 

 showy. 



As a general rule, stakes marked with the names of 

 varieties are unsightly, as too conspicuous. Most bulbs are 

 low growers ; and while it may be interesting to know the 

 name of a showy variety, yet to have it forced upon the 

 attention by a painted stake robs the flower of much of its 

 effect. Where care has been taken in the selection of 

 varieties (and named varieties are always the best, and 

 give more satisfaction), it is well to preserve the names; 

 which may very easily be done by having a plan of the 

 bulb bed drawn on a sheet of paper, and the proper position 

 of each species and variety indicated by a figure refer- 

 ring to an index of names. In planting in the open ground, 



