250 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



June, 1 9 10 



which time they must be kept well 

 supplied with water. As the weeks 

 go by, it will be noticed that the 

 bulbs have become firmly rooted in 

 the sponges whilst at the same 

 time a fair amount of top growth 

 will have been made. It is at this 

 stage that a little special treatment 

 in the case of a Narcissus bulb is 

 desirable, supposing this to have 

 been included in the collection. 

 The longer the dark cupboard 

 treatment is continued, the more 

 rapidly will the top growth of the 

 bulbs extend so that if we give the 

 Narcissi less time in the cupboard 

 we shall to an extent check the 

 production of a long, ungainly 

 stem. 



When it is decided to bring the 

 bulbs out into the light, it is a wise 

 plan to hang the sponges in a 

 somewhat shady place for a few 

 days, so as to prevent the change 

 being too abrupt. Eventually, 

 however, the more light is the po- 

 sition, the better will be the de- 

 velopment, and a place in front of 

 a window will not be too much exposed. In such a situa- 

 tion the illumination will naturally come all from one side, 

 and in order to check an uneven development on the part 

 of the bulbs, it is a wise plan to turn the sponges round 

 daily, so that first of all one part is lighted, and then an- 

 other. If a quantity of planted sponges is on hand, it 

 will be desirable to arrange for a succession of bloom, and 

 ordinary kinds of bulbs, with the exception of the Narcissi, 

 may be left in the cupboard until they are required. 



Just about this time it will be well to consider the ques- 

 tion of obtaining some material to cover the sponge, which, 

 of course, does not look very ornamental as a background 

 for the shooting bulbs. As far as the writer has dis- 

 covered, moss is the best material for the purpose. This 

 should be placed in position in fairly large pieces, so as to 

 hide the sponge completely, and it may be fastened with 



Hyacinth bulbs fixed in the sponge 



passing the string completely 

 around it. If the moss is fairly 

 thick, the tying material need not 

 show to the smallest extent. An- 

 other method of covering the 

 sponge, and one which gives a very 

 pretty effect, is that of sowing 

 grass seed all over the surface. 

 The only drawback to this is that it 

 is not a very easy matter to sow 

 the seeds evenly and thickly enough 

 to secure a uniformly good coating 

 of verdure. Of course, if the 

 grass is at all patchy, the whole ap- 

 pearance is spoilt. After all, there 

 is little doubt that the best effects 

 are obtained by means of the moss. 

 If placed in a warm living-room, 

 the bulbs should now grow apace. 

 A little difficulty may be experi- 

 enced in keeping the moss quite 

 fresh in the dry air of the apart- 

 ment, and in order to get over this 

 trouble the whole surface should 

 be freely sprinkled with water two 

 or three times a day. Of course, it 

 is very important to keep the 

 sponge in a moist condition, as 

 when the bulbs start to grow they will require an increas- 

 ing amount of water. As the shoots continue to extend, 

 it will be seen that the leaves from the lower bulbs curve 

 up in a graceful fashion. It is not advisable to hang the 

 sponges in the direct sunshine, as this will have a bad effect 

 upon the moss. When the blossoms are fully displayed, 

 the sponges may be used with charming effect in any part 

 of the room, where they will last in their full beauty for a 

 long while. 



After the flowering of the bulbs, is past, they are really 

 not much good. If planted outdoors, they may throw a 

 feeble bloom the next season, but most of them will simply 

 decay. In any case, it is quite essential to purchase fresh 

 bulbs every time the sponges are planted, if a good effect 

 is desired. Of course, after use the sponges should be 



freed from dirt and then stored away in a dry condition, 

 thin twine, the moss being simply tied on to the sponge by where they will be ready for use the next season. 



Lily of the valley growing in a sponge 



Hyacinth growing in a sponge 



The early stage of the bulb growth 



