FLOWERS. 



115 



then they should have both air and sim, and plenty of wa- 

 ter from the saucers or pans, underneath the pots. 



Those bulbs, as hyacinths, &c. which are designed to 

 flower in glasses, should be placed in them towards the 

 end of November, the glasses being lirst filled with rain- 

 water, so that the bulbs may come in contact with it. 

 Then place them in a dark place for a few days, to promote 

 the shooting of the roots, after which expose them to the 

 light and sun, and change the water as often as it becomes 

 impure, not suffering it to fi^eeze. 



Bulbous-rooted plants, growing in pots, should be fre- 

 quently turned round, as they will incline to the sun or 

 light — the earth on the top should be suffered to dry, 

 before the next watering — when the plants have done 

 growing, give them little or no water. If the plant be so 

 managed the present year, as not to have a flower-bud 

 formed in miniature, there will be no flower in the next. 

 If the leaves be well grown, and the plant properly ex- 

 posed to the air and sun, then the sap will be duly prepared 

 by them, and an embryo flower will be formed in the bulb. 

 All bulbs, in a certain period of the year, are dormant ; this 

 state ccmmences when the foliage begins to decay, after 

 blooming — then lessen the supplies of water, and in a little 

 time cease to water altogether, until the season of regermi- 

 nation returns. The bulbs, during this time, may be kept 

 in *^he pots in a dry, shady place, and in the same tempera- 

 ture as that in which they delight to grow. 



Generally, it is best to take the bulbs out of the pots, 

 after the decay of the foliage, and repot them in a fresh 

 soil or compost, (mentioned above for bulbs,) a week or 

 two before the period of regerminating ; at which time 

 water will be necessary, and may be applied at the bottom, 

 pouring into the pan, or it may be applied by a small water- 

 ing-pot, that pours lightly, on the top, so as to keep the 

 earth moderately moist. The earth should be kept loose 

 on the top, and the water used for the plants ought to be 

 rain water, or such as has been exposed to the sun. Water 

 that has been filtered through a rich compost is very useful. 



The proper time to take up bulbous roots is in about a 

 month after blooming, when the foliage has a yellowish, 

 decayed appearance. Cut ofl" the stem and foliage within 

 an inch of the bulb, leaving the fibrous roots attached to it. 

 After they are air-dried, place them singly in paper or dry 

 sand, until replanted, or spread them on shelves in a dry 

 apartment. 



