SeptEiMker 19, 1888.] 



Garden and Forest. 



355 



the general impression that these bnlbs are hardy. Hya- 

 cinths, Narcissus and many otlier Dutch bulbs are not hardy, 

 and are not so considered by those who cultivate them for 

 sale. In Holland the beds are mulched with the reed, so com- 

 mon on the borders of their canals, so that it is impossible 

 for the frost to penetrate the earth at all. This precaution 

 is needed in this country more than in Holland, because of 

 the constant and severe changes of temperature. Our ex- 

 perience has taught us the necessity of mulching so 

 thoroughly that frost cannot even enter the ground, much 

 less reach the bulbs. With this precaution we can grow the 

 Hyacinth as successfully as the celebrated Dutch growers, 

 although we have more, in the way of climatic changes, to 

 contend with, than they. 



A great difficulty is the marked change in temperature so 

 common in April or May, when the flowers appear. -Some 

 suitable covering for the bed should be at hand, ready for 

 use when required, and thrown over the plants when there is 

 danger of a severe frost. 



The best mulching we have ever tried, and the most natural 

 one, is newly fallen leaves, always abundant in the garden ; 

 cover the bed to the depth of a foot, and keep the leaves from 

 getting scattered about by a layer of evergreen boughs ; if 

 these are not convenient, use brush of any kind or old boards; 

 whatever is the easiest to obtain is the best to use. 



The Polyanthus Narcissus is still less hardy, in fact it will 

 not endure freezing, and therefore must be carefully protected. 



Tulips are hardy, but they will produce far finer blooms if 

 moderately protected, and the same may be said of Crocus. 



Fig. 56. — Fruit of Pseudophrenix Sar^eiifi.— See page 352. 

 a — Portion of a panicle (natural size). /v— Section of a Fruit. 



^— Seed, showing rapliis. ii — Embryo. 



The most suitable soil for Hyacinths is a light, rich, sandy 

 loam or clear sand ; but tliey will do well in any good garden 

 soil. To grow them to perfection, however, special treatment 

 is necessa^-y, and no plants require more care to keep them 

 from degenerating than the Hyacinth. They are strong 

 feeders, and the soil cannot very well be too rich, if they 

 are to produce strong spikes of flowers. No fresh or rank 

 manure, however, should be used on any account. Thor- 

 oughly rotted manure from the cow-stable is the best, and it 

 should be placed a foot below the surface of the bed. 



In making beds for Hyacinths the ground should be dug to 

 the depth of at least fifteen inches, and proper provision 

 should be made for effectual drainage. Si.x inches of man- 

 ure should be placed at the bottom and covered with four 

 inches of soil ; upon this place the bulbs, say five inches 

 apart each way. If the soil is heavy and tenacious, cover the 

 bulbs with a little coarse sand, then cover the whole with soil 

 so that the crowns will be at least five indies below the sur- 

 face. Hyacinths can be grown fairly well without this care, 

 but perfection of l>loom, for whicli every cultivator should 

 strive, requires all the care here recommended. 



The selection of the bulbs is, to a considerable extent, one of 

 individual taste as regards colors and variety of form, but a 

 few rules can be laid down for general use. Choose the 

 heaviest and most solid. Size is not of so much importance, 

 except for forcing in pots or glasses, when the largest and best 

 should be chosen. For the open border, mediimi or small 

 bulbs are preferable, as they will remain longer in the ground 



without division, giving annually fine spikes of bloom. The 

 cost of second-sized bulbs is considerably less than larger 

 ones, and that, too, is a point in their favor. 



As a spring flower for garden decoration nothing can sur- 

 pass tlie Tulip. The finest varieties of these bulbs can now be 

 obtained at prices that wHl permit their general cultivation, 

 and with a little care they will rapidly increase. The Tulip de- 

 lights in the same soil as the Hyacinth, and it should be pre- 

 pared in the same manner. The Inilbs should be placed tour 

 or five inches below the surface, according to size, and it is 

 important that each variety should be put in at a uniform 

 depth to insure simultaneous display. Tulips will do well 

 planted any time before the ground freezes up. They do bet- 

 ter by far if planted much earlier — in fact, as early as they can 

 be obtained. 



The hardy varieties of Narcissus, now very popular, should 

 be planted in quantity, especially in those spots where it ap- 

 pears naturally at home, such as under the shade of trees and 

 in shrubbery borders. There is now an awakened interest in 

 the many forms of double and single Narcissus (Daffodils), 

 and they are certainl}- most effective garden flowers. All the 

 varieties should be grown in' clumps and patches in every 

 spot which is suitable and vacant. In any out-of-the-way 

 place large quantities of N. poetitus should be planted for a 

 supply of cut flowers. Their graceful appearance renders 

 them peculiarly valuable for this purpose, and if cut when 

 partially opened, they will develop in water and last for many 

 days. In planting be guided by the size of the bulb, allowing 

 four or five inches between small sorts, and five or six inches 

 between the larger varieties. Bulbs of Narcissus may re- 

 main undisturbed for many years, and annually improve in 

 the quantity and ciuality of the bloom. Soil is a secondary 

 matter with the Narcissus; a moderately heavy one is to be 

 preferred, but they will grow almost anywhere. 



The Crocus must be planted early to succeed. If kept out of 

 the ground until November it will never regain its lost vitality. 

 Plant in Septemlier if possible, and in no case after October. 

 These bulbs will grow in any soil, and do fairly well for many 

 years undisturbed. Make the soil very rich, cover the bulbs 

 two inches, and protect the same as Hyacinths. 



Snowdrops are about the earliest spring flowers, and par- 

 ticularly desirable because of their willingness to bloom under 

 all circumstances. It seriously injures these bulbs to remain 

 long out of ground ; therefore plant early, about two inches 

 deep, and, if possible, where they may remain undisturbed for 

 many years. In moist, shaded places they will form dense 

 masses, completely driving out all other herbaceous vegetation. 



Crown Imperials can only be grown to advantage in gar- 

 dens, and stately plants they are. They demand a rich, light 

 soil and an open position. Carefully protect against frost, for 

 although frost hardly injures the growing plant, the bulbs are 

 always'injured by freezing. C. L. Allen. 



Queens, N. Y. 



The Vegetable Gaixlen. 



OLD plants of Globe Artichoke now show many dead 

 leaves and flower stems, which should be cut and re- 

 moved. Have the frames, sashes or other protectors ready to 

 place over tlie Snap Beans, Cucumbers and Tomatoes, to save 

 them from frost. If Brussels Sprouts show no tendency to 

 sprout pinch the points out of a row of them; this will induce 

 them to form side sprouts early, but these early sprouts are 

 not likely to be solid ; only those that appear naturally 

 can be depended on. If Cabbages or Cauliflowers are hearting 

 too soon, pry up the plants a little with a digging fork, then 

 pack the ground solid about them again; this checks their 

 growth. Keep young Carrots, Beets and Turnips tlioroughly 

 clean, and hoe them every week. Sow a little Chervil for use 

 in spring, and, if desired for winter, sow some in a frame. 

 Sow some Corn Salad in a frame in rows six inches apart. As 

 this is a small growing vegetable it should be sown thickly. 

 German Greens can be sowed in rows, fifteen inches apart, in 

 rich but well-drained ground out-of-doors, for use in spring. 

 This crop should l)e lightly mulched with sedge, sea thatch or 

 dry leaves in winter. Erfurt Cauliflower and Wakefield Cab- 

 bages were formerly sowed aliout the 20th of September to be 

 wintered in cold-frames and planted out for early spring crop, 

 luit we are more successful with plants raised in the green- 

 house or hot-bed in February or tlie ist of March. But in the 

 Southern States fall sowing' is still much practiced. Early 

 Celery should be earthed up as required, but banking the late 

 winter crops should be delayed. Never handle Celery while 

 it is wet with dew or rain. Put in a large sowing of Lettuces 

 for winter use. Sow them out-of-doors and early in October 

 ]irick them closely into a cold-frame. Salamander is the best 



