PLANTING BULBS IN THE YARD 55 
be lifted every three or four years, so that the clumps 
of bulbs that form may be separated and replanted. 
In preparing the soil, spade it to a depth of at least 
twelve inches. Work in two inches of well-rotted barn- 
yard manure. Plant the daffodil and poet’s narcissus 
bulbs so that they will be twelve inches apart, with the 
tops five inches below the surface of the soil. Jonquils 
should be six inches apart, with the tops four inches 
below the surface. 
The bulbs are perfectly hardy, so that no protection 
is needed, but they will make an earlier and stronger 
growth if they are given a thick coating of coarse ma- 
nure just before winter begins. In the spring the fine 
part of the dressing may be left on the bed. The extra 
nourishment will help in making larger flowers, and 
stronger bulbs for the next season’s growth. After the 
leaves die down in July or August, the ground may 
be loosened above the bulbs with a hoe or spade. 
Narcissi are the most inexpensive of the hardy bulbs. 
A single bulb will form a large clump in a few years. 
The varieties should not be mixed. A very pleasing effect 
is secured by planting a number of kinds, each in a 
separate place. 
SNOWDROPS AND SCILLAS 
Snowdrops are the earliest of the spring-flowering 
bulbs. They may be seen peeping through the ground 
even while it is covered with snow. They are closely 
followed by the blue Scilla sibirica. 
