213. 



This sort of window garden (say Ayi x 12 feet) could be duplicated for about $50 when building, or it could be attached to any frame dwelling for $25 to $100. 

 Why not have such a place this winter and make it radiant from Christmas to Easter with bulbous flowers ? 



Bulbs for the Window Garden 



HOW TO MAKE THE HOME WINDOW BRIGHT WITH FLOWERS FROM JANUARY THROUGH MARCH 

 — THE WHOLE STORY IN A NUTSHELL — NO GREENHOUSE OR COSTLY APPLIANCES NECESSARY 



PUT the bulbs as soon as received in pots, 

 pans or boxes, water thoroughly, cover 

 them with a two-inch layer of ashes, and 

 place them in a cool, dark cellar or 

 outdoors until the ground freezes. Bury 

 the pots six inches deep in soil, and 

 leave them alone for five or six weeks, 

 except for moderate watering if the season 

 is very dry. The whole secret of bulb 

 culture is to get a big growth of roots 

 without starting the tops until the bulbs are 

 actually wanted for forcing. When the ground 

 begins to freeze, bring the bulbs into a cellar 

 the temperature of which should be 40 to 

 50 . Begin forcing at 6o°. Most American 

 living rooms are too hot and dry for the best 

 results in growing plants. Try to keep the 

 temperature below 71 . A pan of water on 

 the stove or register will supply moisture to 

 the air. After forcing begins, apply plenty 

 of water. Don't sprinkle the surface daily. 



Plant hyacinths singly in five or six-inch 

 pots, leaving a third of the bulb above 

 the soil. Set three to five tulips in a 

 five-inch pot. Use three or four bulbs 

 of narcissi in a five-inch pot. Cover 

 these and tulips with an inch of soil. Plant 

 one oxalis in a five-inch pot, or two 

 in a six-inch pot. Plant six or eight 

 crocuses in a six-inch pot and cover 

 one inch. The other bulbs are small; 

 plant five or six of them in a five-inch 

 pot and cover half an inch. Bits of 

 charcoal in the soil will keep it from 

 getting sour. 



Most of the bulbs can be grown in sand 

 and water, which avoids all danger of 

 soiling curtains or carpet, but the bulbs 

 are exhausted by this treatment and you 

 cannot save them to plant out later in the 

 garden. 



The Chinese sacred lily is grown in 

 135 



a shallow bowl of water containing 

 enough pebbles to hold the bulbs in 

 position. 



Hyacinths in glasses are adorable. Buv 

 the single-named varieties, which are speciallv 

 named as best suited for this purposes. Use 

 soft rain water and put in a little charcoal. 

 Keep the base of the bulb in contact with 

 the water. Don't let the water rise much 

 above or any below. Keep the glasses 

 in a cool, dark closet for ten days or 

 until roots are well formed; then give 

 plenty of light and air. Do not put 

 them near a gas jet. On very cold nights 

 move them from the window to the 

 table; they cannot stand frost. Never let 

 the water freeze. Change the water every 

 two or three days ; the "patent " glasses make 

 the operation much easier. A few drops of 

 diluted ammonia added to the water once a 

 week will act as a stimulant. 



