ORNAMENTALS 273 



If I could grow only one flower in winter, it would 

 be a bulb, and if only one bulb, it would be a 

 hyacinth. My bulb closet gladdens my whole 

 heart every time I look at or think of it. I have 

 50 hyacinths, double and single red, white, and 

 blue, 12 parrot tulips, 12 Roman and Paper White 

 narcissus, 12 Mammoth Yellow crocus. Given a 

 good bulb and right conditions, it is sure to bloom, 

 but it must not have fresh manure in the soil, nor 

 be too wet at the start or it will rot. It requires 

 six to eight weeks in utter darkness to make the 

 necessary roots. But some thrifty woman says, 

 bulbs cost so. No, not so much, when you can 

 get mixed ones by the dozen for 50 or 60 cents, and 

 even cheaper, by express. This means hyacinths, 

 as others cost less." 



BULBS FOR THE HOUSE 



" Upon the care we give our plants and bulbs 

 during the fall depends in a great measure the joy 

 we will get from them in the year to come," writes 

 H. Hunt. " Neglected then, they will be so weak- 

 ened by the long, cold winter that a whole season 

 will be required in which to recuperate, or we must 

 mourn the loss of them entirely. 



" Bulbs and plants that are to go into the house 

 or cellar should not be left out too long, as there 

 is danger that the frost will penetrate to the roots 

 enough to destroy their vitality. Plants to be 

 potted should be lifted early and left out of doors 

 in the pots until thoroughly established therein. 

 The foliage should be sprinkled daily, and gradu- 

 ally accustomed to the temperature of the room in 

 which they are to remain. A judicious thinning of 

 foliage is desirable, as no plant can carry as dense 



