592 Cultivation of Plants. 
equally well for the Hyacinth, except that the bulbs should be 
planted a little earlier, and ata depth of about five inches. ‘The 
Hyacinth bulb differs materially from the Tulip bulb, being 
polycarpic, that is, flowering more than once. The various 
species of Narcissus, Crocus, and many other genera may also 
be included here. The only deviation is in the period of 
planting and lifting, which varies for different species. The 
rootstocks of the tuberous-rooted English and Spanish Ivises 
should not be kept out of the ground longer than is necessary, 
as they soon shrivel and lose their vitality. It may be men- 
tioned here that the leaves of bulbous plants should not be 
cut off, even when the plants are left in the ground, before 
they have done their work and dried up; but the old flower- 
stems may be removed without doing any injury. 
The numerous species and varieties of the showy genus 
Gladiolus in cultivation will sueceed in a heavier soil than 
most of the plants of this class. But good drainage and rich 
soil are essential conditions to obtain fine flowers. Tulips, 
Hyacinths, and by far the largest proportion of bulbous plants, 
flower in spring ; but the Gladioluses are all of them summer- 
flowering. The familiar G. communis and G. Byzantinus are 
quite hardy border plants, succeeding well in almost any soil. 
The hybrid varieties also will bear our winters if planted at a 
depth of six inches; but the common practice is to take them 
up as soon as the leaves begin to decay, and replant them 
again in early spring. Some time during the latter part of 
March or beginning of April is the best time for planting, and 
they may be lifted in October or November, aecording to the 
season. The bulbs should be thoroughly dry before they are 
stored away, and they require a dry airy place, where the frost 
does not penetrate. The bulblets which are so freely produced 
by some varieties will bear frost with impunity when they are 
young, and consequently they may be replanted in autumn. 
But as they reach maturity they become tender. They will 
flower about the second or third year, according to the treat- 
ment they receive. In any except very sheltered situations these 
beautiful flowers require support, or they are likely to be 
broken off by rough winds. The different varieties vary con- 
siderably in height, from about eighteen inches to three, or 
even four feet ; but these particulars will be found in the de- 
scriptive catalogues of growers. We have said nothing as to 
distance of planting these and other bulbs apart, beeause this 
