DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF FLOWERS. 377 
plant the bulbs, if planted on the surface. The planting 
should be done in a pleasant, day. It should not be done 
directly after a heavy rain, for then the soil will be heavy. 
That the roots may be planted exact, I prepare a board, 
six and a half inches wide, the length the width of the 
bed. On the edges of the board I mark the distances the 
bulbs are to be planted from each other, by sawing in a 
notch; thus, three inches from the end, for-the first, and 
from that seven inches, until the whole number, seven, 
‘are made, which will leave three inches on the other side. 
Stretch a line on one side of the bed, and, by keeping one 
end-‘of the board up to it, the planting may be done with- 
out any trouble, and every root in its right place, pro- 
vided the board is placed square across the bed at each 
removal. Having placed the board, let some fine sand be 
placed where the bulbs are to be set. The roots should 
then be gently pressed into the earth, close up to the 
notch, but not so deep as to cover them, the large bulbs a 
little deeper than the smaller ones, and remove the board; 
then completely envelop each root with a little cone of 
sand, or very sandy earth, and so proceed until all the 
bulbs are set. Now with a spade gradually cover the 
bulbs with the surface soil, until the bed has been raised 
four inches above the level of the walk. This will cover 
the bulbs about three and a half inches, the proper depth. 
Let it be carefully smoothed, but not with any instrument 
that will interfere with or put out of place any of the 
roots which have been set. All the care necessary, after 
this, is to throw some light protection over the beds be- 
fore winter sets in, to be removed by the first of April. 
Afterwards keep the bed free from weeds. To have the 
flowers in the greatest perfection, screen them from the 
sun, in mid-day, by an awning. A powerful sun soon de- 
stroys the beauty of a Tulip bed, by causing the colors to 
run together. A bed of late Tulips is generally in its 
