CHAPTER IX 

 BULBS AND TUBERS 



Bulbous plants are among the most beautiful orna- 

 ments of gardens and when well selected some kinds 

 may be seen in bloom every day in the year. It is 

 important to plant nearly all imported bulbs, espe- 

 cially narcissi and lilies, as soon as they can be ob- 

 tained, generally in September. Iris and gladioli can 

 be planted at different times, even as late as June, 

 to secure a succession of blooms. No fertilizers ex- 

 cept bone meal need be used, ammonia in any form 

 being injurious to them. 



To get good effects and pleasing groups with this 

 class of plants one ought to be well acquainted with 

 their habits, likes and dislikes, and success can be 

 attained only by selecting types that will succeed in 

 the different places where they can be planted. When 

 making plantations the main object should be to get 

 as natural an effect as possible. Care should be 

 taken not to plant the bulbs in straight lines, curves 

 or circles. Most of the common bulbs are so cheap 

 they should be planted in large masses, the aim be- 

 ing to obtain color in such quantity as to prove effec- 

 tive when seen from a distance. 



Bulbous plants store up plant food which enables 

 them to pass a season in a dormant state in the arid 

 regions of the world or else pass a season of rest 

 buried in the ground where the winters are long and 

 severe. The majority of bulbous plants have their 

 origin in South Africa, Japan and America. We 

 grow more from South Africa, known as "Cape 



