43 



Christmas and a Happy New Year. We propose, for our own 

 benefit, to divide the principal bulbs In four classes, viz : 



1st. Tender AsmvAL Bulbs. Those that from a dormant 

 state grow, bloom, and mature their bulbs in one season, such as 

 G-ladiolus and Tigridias. They will not bear much frost, some of 

 them none at all. Some that we designate as tender will, no 

 doubt, prove entirely hardy in the Southern states; most of 

 them are best suited for bedding purposes, a few, however, such 

 as G-loxinla and Cj'clamen are only suited for pot culture. 



2d. Hardy Annual Bulbs are those that from a dormant con- 

 dition, grow, bloom, and mature their bulbs, and are liot irijui ed 

 by our cold winters, such as Hyacinths, Crocus, Tulips, etc. 



3d. Tender Perennial Bulbs are those that do not need a 

 season of rest, hence are grown all the time. 



4th. G-REENKOUSE BuLBs. For description see culture of 

 greenhouse bulbs. 



CuLTUKEOF Tender Anntal Bulbs. All of the.>e are natives 

 of countries where there is little, if any frost. They saiul .l n^ver 

 be planted in the garden uatil'the earth has been war;n :-d l-y the 

 increasing rays of the sun : we cannot give any sp3:-ifi5 l time That 

 would be advantageous. AYe, in this latitude, p'ant them 

 about June Ist: no doubt our Southern friends have them 

 in bloom by that time if not earlier ; however, do no: i>lant r.ntil 

 danger from frost is past. They are all easily gi'owa, iuxuriatinz 

 in a sandy soil, well enriched with good stable mmiir?. A liich 

 should bedus: in the soil the previous autumn. Plant the bu .bs about 

 four inches deep, and from nine to twelve inches a;nirt in tlie 

 rows; all the care they will require during the sumrn?r will Ve to 

 keep them clear of weeds, and if the ground shou'ci h?j.ze o: be- 

 come hard, loosen it with the hoe or fork. Sai-h a i th3 G-'a lio'us 

 should be tied to ne it sta'ces to keep th?m frDui bi-eiiking. as 

 well as to show the flowers to hotter ad vanta-jfe. In th? aiituinti/ 

 after the first frost has killed the fo!iag3. the bulbs -hould be dug 

 up, dried in the sanand put in a dry, warm p',ac3, there to remain 

 until time for planting in the sprip.g. The dezree of dryne-^s ran 

 only be learned by experience, all we can say is if the bulbs 

 become soft they are too dry, if they b?2:in to grow they aie to:> 

 warm and perhaps too moist ; in either case remove to a e )oler 

 place -and put them in dry sand or charcoal. Eemsraber that 

 Tuberoses that have bloomed once will not bloom again. 



Hardy Axnual Bulbs. Many of the varieties of thi.^ 

 class are now popularly called Holland Bulbs because they are 



