54 FLOWER GARDENING 
a heavy cover of manure. A good bulb rule is to 
have crocuses and daffodils in the ground in early 
October and other bulbs by the end of the month 
if they arrive in time. 
Allow about two inches from the base of the 
bulb to the top of the ground for small bulbs and 
about five inches for the larger ones. If the lilies 
are stem-rooting kinds, allow six to seven inches. 
For planting crocuses, scillas and snowdrops in the 
lawn there is a special dibble; where that is lack- 
ing use a pointed stick to make the hole. Whether 
bulbs are planted in the garden or in the grass, 
press the soil firmly over them. A little sand 
under and around the bulb is a good thing for 
lilies, hyacinths, tulips and fritillaries. Both of 
the best known fritillaries, the crown imperial and 
the guinea-hen flower, have bulbs that are slightly 
hollowed on top. In order that too much moisture 
may not settle in the hollow, it is customary to 
plant them tilted a little. 
In general, autumn planting of perennials that 
either have to be purchased or are acquired by 
gift is the better way out when the plants bloom 
as early as April. In the matter of purchases espe- 
cially, the result is much more satisfactory in cer- 
tain instances. Thus most of the primulas in the 
trade are grown in pots from seed and, being kept 
in coldframes, are likely to arrive with the bloom 
almost or quite gone; by autumn planting a year 
would have been gained. 
So with leopard’s bane, aubrietia and trollius. 
