44 



grown more largely tliera than in any other country, hund- 

 reds of acres beinT devorei to their culture. They usually 

 arrive ia this country about the first of September. They 

 should be planted as soon thereafter as possible, as the exposure 

 to drying winds tends to weaken them; and they should be 

 -planted early enough in the season so that they will begin to 

 grow and make a strong start a' th? roots before cold weather 

 sefcs in. If this advantage is given them the flowers will be 

 much iiandsonier. If the soil is not sandy we generally put in 

 a liandfLil of soil in the hole and imbed the bulb in the sand ; 

 this will act in the capacity of drainage and save the bulb from 

 rot. Manures for hardy bulbs must be well rotted ; coav dung 

 is preferred ; it should be well mixed with the soil. Plant Hy- 

 acinth and Lily bulbs four inches deep, Tulips and Crocus 

 three inches. After we are satisfied that cold weather has set 

 in for the season, the bulb bed should be covered with three 

 inches of leaves, straw, or litter, which must be removed in 

 early Spring, 



: or CuLTUKE OF TENDER BuLBS. Becausc we have no 

 room in the garden, or perhaps no garden in which to grow 

 these bulbs, still we need not be deprived of them. They are 

 admirable pot plants. Three or four G-ladiolus, Tigridias, or 

 ^ephranthes may be planted in an eight inch pot, and if carefully 

 attended to will bloom beautifully and bountifully. Tiie Tube- 

 rose, Caladiums, and larger growing Amar\dlis should be potted 

 single, that is, one bulb in the pot. They may be put in four 

 Inch pols at first, and afterward shifted into larger pots. The 

 treatment is simple: rich, sandy soil, good drainage, plenty of 

 moisture, syringe frequently. This treatment can be pursued 

 when desired to start or force the bulbs early in the season, be- 

 fore it would be safe to plant in the garden. By this mode they 

 will bloom much earlier in the season. Tliis is desirable, espe- 

 cially^ with the Tuberose, as it sometimes is killed by frost before 

 the flowers are developed. We should say if you wish to /ores 

 these bulbs, plenty of heat is necessary^. 



Pot Cclture of Hardy Annuai. Bulbs. This class re- 

 quire a widely difierent treatment. If we would be successful 

 with them we must encourage a strong growth at the roots 

 bj/ore the tops push forth. We will give the culture of the Hy- 

 acinth, as it is so well known, and the same treatment is 

 equally applicable for Tulips, Crocus, Narcissus, and all other 

 such bulbs. Prepare a soil composed of about one-fourth well 



