September, 1915. 



THE CANADIAN HORTICULTURIST 



2U 



Planting the Bulbs 



John Gall, Inglewood, Ont. 



OP all window gardening perhaps 

 the most fascinating branch is 

 that which concerns the forcing 

 of spring bulbs — hyacinths, daffodils, 

 tulips, and crocuses. To insure suc- 

 cess we must consider well not only 

 the time and the method, but also thei 

 material. 



The best bulbs are imported from 

 Holland, arriving in this country early 

 in the fall. It is well to have your 

 order placed early with some respon- 

 sible florist, together with instructions 

 for him to fill it and forward the goods 

 as soon as possible after they reach 

 him. The earlier the bulbs are in the 

 ground the better the results attained 

 from their culture. Crocuses, in par- 

 ticular, should be planted before No- 

 vember, since their vitality is badly 

 impaired by longer waiting. As to 

 varieties, each must be his own judge, 

 as tastes vary. It is only necessary to 

 make selections of double and single 

 varieties and of the color range which 

 seems desirable. 



Having made sure of good material 

 and an early planting, the next point 

 to be considered is the method to be 

 used in forcing the bulbs if you wish 

 to use them for your window garden. 

 Here, as in the selection of varieties to 

 be purchased, we find upon looking in- 

 to the matter that we have a large 

 number of excellent methods from 

 which to choose. 



If you elect to put the bulbs in soil 

 use the five-inch earthen pots, which 

 will hold only one hyacinth or tulip, 

 })ut will contain five crocuses or three 

 daffodils. Be sure that the drainage is 

 perfect, and let the earth be light loam 

 or leaf mould, with a strong admixture 

 of sand. Hyacinths and tulips must be 

 placed near the bottom of the pot, but 

 the smaller bulbs go in about half-way 

 up. There should be a layer of coarse 

 charcoal placed at the bottom of each 

 pot to encourage drainage, a filling 

 above it of sharp sand mixed with the 

 loam, and a layer of sand to draw the 

 heat of the .sun and keep both flowers 

 and foliage perfectly clean. 



When the planting is done and the 

 soil packed down firmly the bulbs must 

 be set away to make roots in the dark 

 cellar, shed, storeroom, or closet, and 

 the soil must be moistened occasion- 

 ally. It is best to leave them in the 

 dark until about November, when they 

 should be brought to the light gradu- 

 allv. When the bunches of buds are in 

 nlain sipht an aoplication of any liquid 

 fertilizer will hasten the growth and 

 increase the size of the blooms. Hya- 

 cinths and narcissus are especially well 

 adapted for culture in water. Care 



should be taken not to let the water 

 touch the base of the bulb, by which is 

 meant the part where the roots start, 

 as the bulb would rot if given so much 

 moisture. When the roots start they 

 Avill soon reach the water if kept in a 

 warm, dark place. Keep a little char- 

 coal in the water to absorb impurities, 

 and if this does not preserve perfect 

 freshness, change the water every few 

 days. 



Crocuses can be grown in water. A 

 little fern dish not more than three 

 inches deep will Answer the purpose. 

 A more novel method is growing them 

 in sponges. Select a well-shaped 

 sponge containing rather large holes, 

 which can be cut larger if necessary. 

 Arrange some reliable method of hang- 

 ing it by means of fine copper wire, 

 which will neither rust nor rot. String 

 can be used for this purpose, but it is 

 likely to fail in time of need. 



Having made sure that the sponge 



will hang securely, put the crocuses 

 into it while it is dry. Use as many as 

 you can crowd in, being careful that 

 each is in a proper position, with the 

 crown showing through the mouth of 

 the hole. Then soak the sponge in a 

 bowl of water until it is thoroughly 

 saturated, and remove it at once. You 

 will find that the swelling of the fibre 

 has contracted those holes so percepti- 

 bly as to hold the crocuses firmly in 

 position. 



Hang the wet sponge from a shelf in 

 a dark closet which is well warmed for 

 at least two months, keeping it well 

 saturated all the time, but never leav- 

 ing it in the bowl for a longer time 

 than absolutely necessary. The roots 

 soon become firmly established, and 

 then the top growth begins. 



A few days before bringing the 

 sponge to the light sow it full of lawa 

 grass, clover, or flaxseed, which will 

 germinate and form a covering for the 

 sponge. Hang in a shady place at first, 

 and afterwards bring it out in front of 

 the window, although not into direct 

 sunlight. 



A Canadian Garden Worked by Irish Boys 



Rev. Geo. W. Tebbs, Orangeville, Ont. 



I 



N the little town of Hespeler, in the 

 county of Waterloo, there is the 

 Canadian Branch of the Smyly 

 Orphan Homes of Dublin, Ireland. 

 Nearly twelve acres of land surround 

 the beautiful home, and the major por- 

 tion of it is under garden cultivation. 

 It is one of the rules of the institution, 

 of which I was the superintendent for 

 some years, that the boys as they ar- 

 rive are to be trained in garden work 

 before being placed out on the farms 

 of western Ontario. Thus the little 

 fellows become familiarized with Can- 

 adian conditions of life before they 



are sent out from the care of the Home- 

 authorities. 



The accompanying illustration gives- 

 some idea of the beautiful surroundings- 

 and work of the lads. In the early 

 spring the boys are given a training in 

 plant raising in the green house, until 

 such time as the land is ready for 

 cultivation. A few old trees of a value- 

 less variety are reserved for experi- 

 ments in grafting and pruning, and! 

 this work follows. In the cultivation) 

 of the land only hand labor is employ- 

 ed, and the lads working together find- 

 real healthy outdoor exercise in the 





Irish boys making garden walk.s In a garden at Hespeler, Ont. 



