October, 1906 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



245 



so greatly in quality. If cow-manure is used, let it be in the by the spade, and is not worked over afterward before plant- 

 proportion of a third to two-thirds the original soil. Mix ing, they will not do well. It is a good plan to work the soil 

 it in until it is thoroughly incorporated with the soil of the bed. over and over until it is as mellow ;is it is possible to make it. 



Cr 



ocuses 



Single Narcissus 



It is quite important that the soil in which you plant bulbs It is not safe to be satisfied as long as there is a lump in it. 

 should be fine and mellow. If you set them out in a bed full While bulbs can be planted any time during the fall, it is 



of clods, such as will be found where the earth is thrown up never advisable to wait until late in the season. Early-planted 



bulbs go to work as soon as put into the 

 ground, and form roots upon which the 

 plants will depend for support during the 

 performance of the early work of next 

 season — the flowering period. This de- 

 velopment of roots will be completed by 

 the coming of cold weather, and when 

 spring comes all the plants will have to do 

 will be to develop the flowers for which 

 they made thorough preparation in fall. 

 But with late-planted bulbs, it is entirely 

 different. They set out to grow roots, but 

 the coming of cold weather puts an end to 

 the work, and that portion of it left un- 

 done this season must be completed in 

 spring, at the very time when the plants 

 are stimulated to the production of flowers. 

 It naturally follows that by attempting to 

 carry out two lines of work at the same 

 time, when one only ought to be expected 

 of them, the plants are at a disadvantage, 

 and none of the work undertaken can be 

 well done. Late-planted bulbs give in- 

 ferior flowers and make inferior develop- 

 ment and are short-lived. 



Tulips, hyacinths and narcissus ought to 

 be set at least four inches below the surface 

 and about the same distance apart. Cro- 

 cuses and snowdrops should be planted 

 closely, in groups here and there, in the 

 grass of the lawn, and be set about three 

 inches deep. Lilies ought never to be 

 planted less than eight inches below the sur- 

 face. It is a good plan to put a handful 

 of clear sand about each lily-bulb. On no 

 account should fresh manure from the barn- 

 yard be used. It will greatly injure all 

 What Can Be Done With Single Late Tulips bulbs. 



