THE SNOWDROP. 99 



ground freezes up. They should be set about two or three 

 inches deep, and about an inch apart, in triple lines or in 

 clumps, as, if planted singly, they are not conspicuous. The 

 bulbs should not be kept long out of the ground, and are 

 not benefited by frequent transplanting. Some writers 

 advise annually replanting them after the foliage decays, 

 and the removal of all offsets. This may be advantageous 

 if increase is the object ; but our experience has shown 

 that it is best to disturb the clumps only when the increase 

 of offsets renders them too large or crowded, or when the 

 bulbs grow out of the ground, which they do in a few years 

 in a border, unless the soil is annually top-dressed. 



The flowers of all species appear very early in the season ; 

 generally, however, in New England, not before the first of 

 February, even in most favorable situations and in most 

 sheltered places ; and continue in perfection a very long 

 time, closing in cloudy, inclement weather, and expanding in 

 sunshine. By planting in different exposures, a succession 

 may be had from February to May. The single variety 

 expands earlier than the double, and is followed by the 

 large Crimean snowdrop, which is larger than either. 

 The single snowdrop is a native of England, and is found 

 in shady woods where there is a rich deposit of vegetable 



