THE CROCUS. 103 



gardens or with amateur collectors, if, indeed, many are 

 not lost to cultivation. The crocus is a native of Europe 

 and Middle Asia, but has from a very early period been 

 domesticated in the garden. 



The culture is only to plant them in a rich, light, damp 

 soil, but where no water will stand around the bulbs, and 

 leave them to take care of themselves. They are, however, 

 benefited by an annual top-dressing of well-rotted manure. 



The bulbs should be planted three inches deep, and 

 should not be disturbed oftener than once in three or four 

 years, and then only if they are growing out of the ground. 



When it is necessary to remove them, it should be done 

 as soon as the foliage dies ; and the bulbs should be imme- 

 diately replanted. There are very few hardy bulbs that are 

 improved by the annual drying and transplanting process. 



A bed of crocus does not arrive at its full beauty until 

 the second or third year after planting ; and, after that, it 

 will continue to improve for many years, if the bulbs were 

 not originally planted too close together, and thus become 

 crowded. The proper distance to plant the bulbs is one 

 inch apart each way. It is to be remembered, however, 

 that the crocus grows and increases upwards, and not 

 laterally. 



