THE ORNAMENTAL PLANTS^ BULBS 



283 



All these bulbs may be planted as soon as they are mature; 

 but in practice they are kept till late September or October 

 before they are put into 

 the ground, as nothing 

 is gained by earlier plant- 

 ing, and, moreover, the 

 ground is usually not 

 ready to receive them 

 until some other crop is 

 removed. 



These bulbs are planted 

 in the fall (1) because 

 they keep better in the 

 ground than when stored ; 

 (2) because they will take 

 root in fall and winter 

 and be ready for the first warmth of spring; (3) and because 

 it is usually impossible to get on the ground early enough in 

 spring to plant them with much hope of success for that season. 



The bulbs lie dormant until spring, so far as outward ap- 

 pearances go; they are mulched to insure that they will not 

 start in warm weather of fall or winter, and to protect the 

 ground from heaving. 



256. One of the squills. — Scilla bi/olia. 



257. A purple-flowered Amaryllis. — Lycoris squamigera, but known as 

 Amaryllis Hallii. 



