152 FAMILIAR GARDEN FLOWERS. 
even if mountaineers, are accustomed to brighter suns than 
shine in these foggy isles. All kinds of crocuses produce 
seed freely, and may be multiplied rapidly and with but 
little trouble, by sowing the seed in light, sandy soil as 
soon as it is ripe. When the corms are planted, the depth 
at which they are placed should be determined in con- 
nection with the intention to take them up annually or 
leave them untouched several years. If to be taken up 
and replanted every year, three inches is the utmost depth 
allowable; but if to remain a few years, they should be put 
fully four inches deep, because every year of growth will 
bring them nearer to the surface. When planted in a 
good soil they may be allowed to remain undisturbed for 
several years, but it 1s good practice to lift them every 
third year in the summer, and replant in October. They 
appear to degenerate in English gardens, because the corms 
we take up are always smaller than such as we plant when 
purchasing a fresh stock of the merchants ; but these small 
home-grown corms flower remarkably well, and it is quite 
a question if the large fresh corms from Holland flower 
any better. 
