ox REAPJXG FLOAYERS. 



139 



period in a perfectly doimant state, from the time their 

 leaves begin to decay, by keeping them in a dry situation. 

 The former of these, however, is generally amply per- 

 formed by nature, while it is to the latter the cultivator 

 must direct his attention. It is of great importance, in 

 removing bulbs from the ground, to ascertain the precise 

 time when they are capable of being taken up, as, if they 

 are removed before they have ceased growing, or not till 

 they have formed new roots, they will invariably be in- 

 jured. It is also important that their leaves should never 

 be cut off till they decay, otherwise the bulbs will never 

 mature themselves properly. The best time for taking up 

 bulbs or corms is immediately after their leaves have 

 withered, and there are few of those enumerated in the 

 preceding list which will require to be kept out of the 

 ground more than a few weeks, and some of them not 

 more than a few days. All young and weak bulbs should 

 only be kept out of the ground a few days, and then planted 

 again, as they cannot endure much drought ; but old and 

 full-grown ones may be kept dry for several weeks, or 

 even months, and will be much improved by it. They 

 should be carefully wrapped in paper, and stored in dry 

 drawers, or on shelves in an airy and cool room. Lilies, 

 however, and even narcissuses, should only be taken up 

 once in two years, for the purpose of removing their offsets, 

 while crocuses, and other corms, may be taken up annu- 

 ally, provided they are not kept out of the ground till 

 thej^ commence growing. The autumnal flowering corms 

 may be taken up as soon as the leaves decay, and will not 

 be injured if they are kept out of the ground till the en- 

 suing June or July. Tulips and Hyacinths, being florists' 

 flowers, will be hereafter treated of, and the time for plant- 

 ing out bulbs w^ill be given in the calendar of work at the 

 end. It is only necessary, therefore, here to add, that bulbs 

 and corms should be planted at different depths, according 

 to their size; the larger sorts being placed six inches be- 

 neath the surface of the soil, and the smaller ones three or 

 four inches. It is important that they be planted thus deep, 

 as they will never thrive well when placed too near the 

 light, and also to prevent their being injured by drought, 

 or, where they remain in the ground all the winter, by frost. 



