BULBS FOR SUMMER BLOOMING 73 



of the water to drain away. Thorough spraying of 

 the leaves in dry weather is absolutely necessary if 

 the bed is to present an attractive appearance, for 

 the leaves collect and retain the dust to a surprising 

 degree, but are easily cleansed by the hose or water- 

 ing pot. 



The fancy leaved caladiums are exquisitely beauti- 

 ful miniature plants more suitable for indoor culture 

 than for bedding out, but may be used in porch or 

 window boxes in favorable situations. They require 

 a lighter soil than the Caladium escidentum, woods 

 earth and fine white sand and the fibrous soil from the 

 under side of sod furnishing an ideal compost. They 

 require heat in starting and water should be given 

 sparingly until growth is well under way, when a lib- 

 eral supply may be furnished. For pot culture in 

 the house or conservatory during the summer months 

 they are ideal and should be largely employed to re- 

 place the bedding plants which will be removed from 

 the conservatory or house at the approach of warm 

 weather. Three or four in a large pot will give a 

 rich and charming effect, or they may be grown in 

 window boxes very satisfactorily. In autumn, when 

 they show signs of resting, water should be gradually 

 withheld, and the pots stored in a dry, frost-proof 

 cellar — a furnace cellar if possible. 



Tuberous begonias have come into wide popularity 

 during the past few years, and few, if any, plants 



