70 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



desired, while the smaller ones may be planted apart by themselves 

 to increase in size. Late tulips often do very well undisturbed for three, 

 four, or five years. 



Crocuses, squills, and narcissi may be naturalized, especially if care is 

 taken not to cut the tops too closely or too soon after blooming. This 

 is one of the strong arguments in favour of planting crocus bulbs in 

 September. The tops will have then matured before spring mowing 

 begins. 



After the bulbs of any kind have been lifted, and the tops are dried, 

 these tops should be carefully trimmed off and the bulbs stored in a 

 dark, cool place until time for replanting. 



Plant bulbs in combinations as shown under "Bulbs." Learn 

 which are late flowering and which are early; also which varieties are 

 tall and which are short. Choose lilies that are easy to grow and select 

 varieties that have proved successful. 



FORCING BULBS. Bulbs are grown extensively, both privately and 

 commercially, for cut flowers, and for indoor use during the winter 

 season. It is not hard to achieve success in forcing bulbs if two 

 important rules are observed, namely: I. Procure the strongest 

 and best bulbs possible, for good care will improve the quality of the 

 flowers but not the quantity. The latter is always fixed within the 

 bulb before it is purchased. 2. Perfect root development must be 

 insured before the tops are permitted to start growth. 



The bulbs should be planted as soon as they are procurable, with late 

 August and November as limits. The soil to use should be rich loam 

 mixed with bone meal in a one to fifty proportion. If the soil is beavy 

 add leaf mold or sand. It is better to avoid manure unless it is 

 thoroughly rotted and pulverized. Five-inch pots may be used for 

 larger bulbs, such as hyacinths; and a three or four-inch pot for one 

 tulip or any bulb other than a hyacinth bulb of large size. It is better, 

 however, to plant three or more bulbs in a larger pot, as soil moisture 

 and temperature are more evenly maintained. When being forced for 

 cut flowers, bulbs are planted in boxes or flats of a depth of three 

 inches to four inches, with the bulbs set from one inch to two inches 

 apart. This is a good way to grow bulbs for decoration also, since 

 the flats can be covered with crepe paper, raffia mats, etc., when 

 the flowers are in bloom. Broken pottery or charcoal should be put in 

 the bottom of the pots for drainage. The soil is then sifted into the 



