196 THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL 



peculiarly the time for what is known as Dutch 

 bulbs, and so strongly do they manifest their desire 

 to grow that they will put forth leaves even in the 

 dry air of the living-room if laid upon the bare table. 

 Planted in almost any soil, they rapidly spring into 

 life and soon give fine heads or sprays of flowers. 



Anemone, freesia, early-flowering gladiolus, hya- 

 cinth, iris, ixia, jonquil, lily, montbretia, narcissus, 

 ornithogalum, ranunculus, sparaxis and tulip are 

 some of the most popular bulbs to plant now, and all 

 may be obtained at any seed store and also of some 

 of the florists and nurserymen. Do not plant your 

 ranunculus or anemone upside down ; plant ranuncu- 

 lus with the claws down and the anemone with the 

 smoothest side down. This is more easily distin- 

 guished after they have been soaked two hours. 



TIMELY PROPAGATION 



At this time you should take cuttings of soft wood 

 and tender herbaceous plants such as : alternanthera, 

 begonia, coleus, fuchsia, heliotrope, Impatiens sul- 

 tani, marguerite, etc. Bottom heat is not needed 

 though better results can be obtained with such a 

 convenience. 



Get a box of clean sharp sand, see that the drain- 

 age is perfect plenty of holes in the bottom, wet 

 the sand down thoroughly, put your cuttings in a slit 

 made with a knife or thin paddle, press sand around 

 cuttings and wet down. Watch them closely and 

 don't allow them to dry. 



SEASONABLE SUGGESTIONS 



Cut back pentstemons this month to within eight 

 inches of the ground and they will come up stronger 

 and bloom better next year. 



Violets will shortly be at their best, and the time 



