CROCUS — CROTON 369 
p. 845). They are so cheap and lasting that they may be used in 
quantity. A border of crocuses along the edges of walks, little clumps 
of them in the lawn, or masses in a bed, give the first touch of color 
as the spring opens. 
A sandy soil suits the crocus admirably. Plant in the fall, in the 
open, 3 to 4inches deep. When they show signs of failing, take up 
the bulbs and reset them. They tend to rise out of the ground, 
because the new bulb or corm forms on the top of the old one. They 
run out on lawns in two or three years. If best results are desired, it 
is well to renew the bed occasionally by buying new bulbs. Crocus 
beds may be filled later in the season with quick-growing annuals. It 
is important that only the best flowering bulbs be secured. 
They may be forced with ease, planted in pots or shallow boxes, put 
away in a cool place and brought into the house at any time through 
the winter. A low temperature will bring them into bloom in per- 
fection in about four weeks from the time they are brought in. They 
can be had in the window-garden in this way, opening in the sunshine. 
Croton. — Under this name many varieties and so-called species of 
Codieum are grown for conservatory decoration, and latterly for 
foliage bedding in the open. The colors and shapes of the leaves are 
very various and attractive. The crotons make good window-garden 
subjects, although they are very liable to the attack of the mealy bug. 
The plants should be given an abundance of light in order to bring 
out their fine colors; but it is usually advisable to screen them from 
the direct rays of the sun when they are grown under glass. If the 
red spider or the mealy bug attack them, they may be syringed with 
tobacco water. Plants that are propagated indoors in winter may 
be massed in beds out of doors in summer, where they make very 
striking effects. Give them strong deep soil, and be sure that they are 
syringed frequently enough on the underside of the leaves to keep down 
the red spider. If the plants have been gradually subjected to strong 
light before they are taken out of doors, they will stand the full sun- 
light and will develop their rich colors to perfection. In the fall they 
may be taken up, cut back, and used for window-garden or conserva- 
tory subjects. 
Crotons are shrubs or small trees, and they may be transferred into 
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