BULBOUS-ROOTED FLOWERS. 313 



double will give the prettiest flowers, taken singly, and the single 

 the most flowers and finest spikes. 



October is the best time for planting, though it can be done 

 at any time before the ground freezes. The bulbs should be set 

 four inches deep and about six inches apart. The planting 

 should be done when the ground is dry enough to be ia a fine, 

 friable condition, and in dry weather. As soon as the groimd 

 begins to freeze, and where snow cannot be relied upon for a 

 covering, the surface of the bed should receiye a light covering of 

 leaves or strawy litter, held down by a few sticks so as not to be 

 blown off, and thick enough to prevent the frost from penetrating 

 into the bed. 



When grown in pots, those bulbs which have no of&ets or 

 sprouts near the base, which are perfectly sound, and are the 

 heaviest in proportion to their size, should be selected. These 

 should be planted in six-inch pots, one in each pot. If it is 

 desired to have a succession of bloom, it is well to pot as many 

 as it is desired should bloom at one time, and then make another 

 potting about three weeks later. The method of potting is this : 

 place a bit of broken crock or a pebble over the hole in the bot- 

 tom of the pot, then fill in an inch deep of broken pieces of 

 crock, or small bits of charcoal, or coarse gravel, or coarse ground 

 bones, so as to secure perfect drainage, then fill up to within two 

 inches of the top with the soQ from the compost already recom- 

 mended, composed of rotted sods, cow-dung, and pure sand, 

 packing it firmly and nearly solid into the pot ; then place the 

 bulb on this soil, and fill in around it with more of the same, 

 ramming it in firmly with a blunt stick. When finished, the top 

 of the bulb should just appear above the soil, and the earth be 

 within about haK an inch of the rim. Give it a good watering 

 now, thoroughly "soaking- the whole of the earth in the pot. 

 When done potting, let them be taken to a dark, cool, cellar, 

 free from frost, the soil kept moist, until the pot is filled with 

 roots, which can be ascertained by placing the left hand over the 

 top of the pot, inverting it, and then hitting the rim smartly 

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