38 FAMILIAR GAEUEN FLOIVERS. 



seen them on our heavy land on the northern side of the 

 metrojjolis doing' well for half a dozen years in succession. 

 Then came a terrible winter, and many were killed, and 

 the survivors flowered poorl}', or did mit dower at all. 



It happens fortunately that as these daffcidils require 

 p(jt culture to be quite safe, so they are particularly well 

 adapted for pot culture, and anKjngst the most valuable 

 of our early conservatory flowers. And as the jonquil 

 narciss is equally worthy of pot culture, a few remarks on 

 the management of these two flowers may prove useful. 



The bulbs should be potted as soon as the}' can be 

 obtained, and the time of flowering of any or all can be in 

 great part determined by the cultivator, \\'h(_i will regulate 

 the treatment in accordance with his requirements. All 

 bulbs should have as long a season as can be allowed for 

 them to make roots and j^repare for flowering ; and if they 

 are wanted to flower late, they must be kept cool, so that 

 the top growth will he retarded. Prepare fijr the business 

 a compost, consisting of turfy loam three parts, leaf-mould 

 or rotten dung (i>r tioth) one part, and sharj) sand one 

 part. The pots should be clean within and without ; 

 if new, all the better. For all general purposes (j-inch 

 pots are to be preferred ; in these place three bulbs i>f 

 tazettas, or four of jonquils. If 8-inch pots are used, 

 put in them Ave bulbs of tazettas, or eight of jonquils. 

 The puts must be crocked with care to insure perfect 

 drainage ; the soil must be slightly pressed to make it 

 firm, and the bulbs should be covered with just enough 

 soil to hide them from view, but with their necks visible, 

 say, for an inch or less. When potted, pack the pots 

 together on a hard pavement in a sheltered but cool place, 

 and cover them two or three inches deep with cocoa-nut 



