THE GARDEN AT HOME 



winter and spring ; they are the easiest of all greenhouse 

 plants to grow. A start is made by potting Freesias in 

 July and August for flowers at Christmas and early in 

 the new year. The bulbs are small, so eight or ten may 

 be put in a 5- or 6-inch flower pot. They are kept in 

 a cold, shaded frame for two months or so until well 

 rooted and leaf growth shows. After being gradually 

 exposed to full light they are brought into the greenhouse. 

 If the temperature does not exceed 50 or so they will 

 make good progress, and some will be in flower before the 

 old year is out. Roman Hyacinths and Paper White 

 Narcissi, if potted in August and September, will pro- 

 vide flowers for Christmas and the New Year. It is 

 best to pot a few bulbs at a time, at intervals of a 

 week or two, to ensure a succession of bloom. The proper 

 place for them for the first eight or ten weeks is out of 

 doors under a covering of ashes ; give water before cover- 

 ing over, then no more will be necessary, although if the 

 weather is exceptionally dry it will be wise to sprinkle 

 the ashes occasionally. Ixias are charming for cultivation 

 in pots. The flowers are of most varied and wonderful 

 colouring ; they may be had in green, red, crimson, and 

 many other shades. 



These, together with Crocuses, Squills, Grape Hyacinths 

 (Muscari), and Fritillaries, should be potted in September 

 and treated like the Roman Hyacinths. In October the 

 home gardener may pot Daffodils, and during October 

 and November Tulips, to his heart's content, sure in the 



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