AND APPLICATION OF MANURE. 41 



dried cow-droppings, collected from the pastures, and which 

 have been exposed to the weather during the winter. 

 These are crumbled up and pressed down, and the pot 

 then filled with prepared soil. In watering, this mass of 

 manure becomes soft ; and when the young root of the bulb, 

 pushing through the soil, comes in contact with it, the 

 effects are at once evident in the growth of the plant. By 

 this means, we have obtained remarkably fine spikes of 

 bloom. 



These remarks must be understood as applying to plants 

 which are true bulbs, and as not being without exception. 

 A bed for gladiolus is best prepared by plentifully manur- 

 ing with stable-manure, digging it in about November, and 

 planting the bulbs* in early spring. Many lilies are rather 

 gross feeders, and will bear any manure which is not 

 heating. Tubers, or creeping root-stocks, such as dahlias, 

 cannas, and German iris, delight in a strong, rich, well- 

 manured soil, and do not thrive in sandy loam : but gener- 

 ally sandy loam is best suited to bulbs ; and, where they are 

 planted in a stiff soil, it is best to fill a handful of sand in 

 the hole made for the bulb, to prevent its rotting in winter 

 from too much dampness. 



