DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 127 
Soil and Situation.—The situation should be open, but 
not exposed to currents of air. As to the soil to grow 
them in, various composts are prescribed by florists. 
They require a fresh, strong, rich, loamy soil. Hogg re- 
commends fresh loam, with a considerable portion of rot- 
ten horse or cow dung. The bed should be dug eighteen 
inches deep, and filled with the rich compost, a little 
above the level of the walk; then lay a stratum of good 
rich mould, two inches deep, over the compost, on which 
to plant the roots, as the dung or very rich compost in 
contact with the roots would prove injurious rather than 
beneficial, 
Planting.—After the bed is thus prepared, and has 
stood long enough to settle, the frame should be placed. 
upon it. Fall planting is much the best, if the bed can 
be kept from very severe frost, or if not kept so warm as 
to start the foliage. Late fall or early spring planting is 
the best. - ee 
The roots should be planted in rows six inches apart, 
and the same distance from eath other in the rows. A 
little care is necessary, in planting, to place the roots 
right-side up. By close examination, the eyes, from 
which the stems and flowers are to proceed, can be dis- 
tinguished, which, of course, must be planted uppermost. 
After the roots are placed on the bed, they must be care- 
fully covered two inches deep with. ‘good. sound garden 
mould. When the bed is all completed, the surface should 
be three or four inches above the walk. They will be in 
flower in June, and, if shaded from the sun, will continue 
to display their beauties.a long time. 
Taking up the Roots—When the foliage begins to turn 
brown and dry, the roots should be taken up and dried 
in the shade. When properly dried and kept from mois- 
ture, they may be kept out of ou two or three years 
without injury. 3 
