264 PLANT CULTURE 



flowers of the best varieties, but by this method very many fine 

 forms result. Our collection is usually at its best about the middle 

 of February, when cross pollinating is performed. The seed vessels 

 take about six weeks to ripen. The seed is spread out for a few 

 days to dry and sown in boxes near the end of March. By the be- 

 ginning of June the seedlings are in 2-inch pots. Quite a number 

 of the bulbs send up good sized flowers the second year. During 

 the third year all of the bulbs will be in flower; many of the flowers 

 will be from lo to 12 inches in diameter. This is greenhouse work, 

 but bulbs can be grown to perfection in the Bermudas and other 

 places having a high Winter temperature, thus reducing the cost 

 considerably. One would imagine that a good paying industry could 

 be started in Bermuda by growing the finer varieties and disposing 

 of them to the florists in the United States. The plants may also 

 be propagated by offsets which may be separated from the pot 

 plants during the operation of potting, or taken from the old bulbs 

 when lifting in the open border in Autumn. In the latter case they 

 may be stored for the Winter in boxes of sandy soil, and either 

 potted off in Spring or planted out with the larger bulb. 



HYACINTHUS (Hyacinth). For garden culture many persons 

 feel that the Hyacinth is too stiff and formal, but they are quite 

 satisfactory when grown in geometrical beds of different shapes. 

 The best effects are obtained by planting in solid colors and 

 having all the heights the same. Small bulbs are known as 

 miniatures and are useful for informal planting and are also useful 

 for cutting. Single Hyacinths are more satisfactory for outdoor 

 planting than double ones. They appreciate a lighter soil than 

 most bulbs, and it is advised to set the bulbs on a thin layer of sand. 

 They, of all bulbs, need protection in Winter. (See also page 242.) 



IRIS, BULBOUS. Unlike the German and Siberian Iris, /. 

 xiphioides (English) and /. xiphium (Spanish) are bulbous. The 

 bulbs are cheap, and yet so few of this class of Iris are planted that 

 we wish to commend this excellent group. Plant them in good, 

 friable, well drained soil, the latter part of September. They will 

 bloom the next year in May. The Spanish Iris will start into growth 

 immediately upon being planted. The English will wait until 

 Spring before sprouting. The two sorts are easily distinguished. 

 The English have wider petals and are found in blue and violet onh- ; 

 the Spanish are often yellow as well as blue, white and other shades, 

 and have comparatively narrow petals; they also bloom two weeks 

 earlier. The bulbs are subject to a rot which is best prevented from 



