42 BULBOUS AND TUBEROUS PLANTS. 



let a small quantity of beach sand be strewed in 

 the apertures or trenches, prepared for the roots to 

 grow in, both before and after placing them, which 

 will prove beneficial. 



A southern exposure, ,,dry and airy, and sheltered 

 from the north-west winds is preferable for most bulbs. 

 But Anemones and Ranunculuses should be in some 

 measure sheltered from the intense heat of noon. 



Beds of hardy bulbous and tuberous roots should be 

 covered on the approach of winter with litter, leaves, 

 straw, or such earth as is formed by the decay of 

 leaves, to the depth of two or three inches, as it pre- 

 vents any ill effects which a severe season may have 

 on the roots ; but it should be carefully raked off again 

 in the spring. 



Bulbous roots in general should be taken up in about 

 a month or six weeks after the bloom is exhausted ; 

 the foliage or leaves then turn yellow. If fine warm 

 weather, the bulbs may be dried on the beds they 

 grew on, by placing them in separate rows, being 

 careful not to mix the several varieties together. To 

 prevent such an accident, labels may be affixed to, or 

 placed in the ground opposite each bulb — they will 

 keep much better for being dried gradually ; to this 

 end, a little dry earth may be shaken over them, to 

 screen them from the heat of the sun. If it rain before 

 they get dry, take them in, or cover them with boards ; 

 when dry, clear them of the fibres and stem, and then 

 put them away in dry sand ; or wrapped in paper, 



