IN CALIFORNIA 173 



or May. If you cannot propagate them from the 

 cuttings, divide the clumps into the smallest rooted 

 pieces you can. 



Florists and gardeners start all 'mums from cut- 

 tings each year, throwing the old clumps away as 

 soon as cuttings are rooted. Clumps of all the oth- 

 ers noted may be divided and planted according to 

 the taste of the planter. The latter end of the month 

 is early enough to plant your broken up clumps of 

 canna, caladium or elephant's ear, cyperus, dahlia, 

 ginger, etc. 



BULBS 



Plant out summer flowering bulbs, especially more 

 gladiolus, reserving a few for later planting, though 

 the early plantings usually give best results. Trito- 

 nia, or montbretia, closely allied to the gladiolus, may 

 be had in a variety of shades from yellow to red ; try 

 a few of the better sorts ; they need no care but being 

 kept free from weeds. Calla, canna, dahlia, tube- 

 rose, and tigridia are also in order for planting. 



Amaryllis which have been left in the ground 

 should have the surrounding soil loosened up and 

 pulverized, and they should be given a good mulching 

 with well rotted manure, preferably from the horse 

 stable. Tuberous begonias, if started now, should be 

 planted in pots and later placed in their permanent 

 home. They should always be grown in the shade 

 and have a rich, loose, well drained soil. If you in- 

 tend planting the bulbs directly in the soil, hold for a 

 month yet. Tritonias may be treated the same as 

 gladiolus. If they have been left in the ground for 

 years and are very thick, pull out three-fourths of 

 them ; you will get more blooms and better ones than 

 you could obtain by keeping all. 



