BEAUTIFYING GROUNDS 



147 



eums are fall blooming bulbs, excellent for general planting. 

 Any bulbs of this group may be placed in the ground in either 

 early or late summer. , 



Culture of Bulbs. — Soil for bulbs should be deep, rich 

 and well drained. When bulbs are placed in undrained soil 

 they' are apt to rot instead of producing vigorous growth. 

 Any manure added should be well rotted to prevent heating. 

 A number of varieties of bulbs may be left in the ground 

 for several years and continue to bloom at their natural 

 season each year. This is true of lilies, crocuses, eolchicums, 



Fia. 87. — Cannas may be massed in large beds in the side yard. 



narcissus and others. Tulips and hyacinths should be taken 

 up each summer and re-planted in autumn. This is done 

 after the foliage dies down naturally. The bulbs are then dug 

 up and stored in a dry place until the next planting time. 

 (See forcing of bulbs, Chapter XV.) 



Cannas (Fig. 87) and caladiums are very showy bedding 

 plants, with tuberous roots. The roots may be dug before 

 the ground freezes and stored in- the cellar. They are often 

 started in pots or boxes early, in the spring. Transplanting 

 to the open is not done until all danger of frost is over. In 

 the South the roots are sometimes left in the ground all 

 winter and protected with a mulch of leaves or other litter. 



