14 



FIG TORI AL FRAG TIC AL BULB GROWIXG. 



Chapter IL- Bulbs in Pots. 



KoTWiTHST.^>'DiXG the unquestioned utility of bulbs for the 

 adornment of the flower garden in the s^jdng, it is largely to their 

 value for pot culture that they owe Ibeir popularity at the 

 pre.^ent time. In this phase of bulb groNving they are brought 

 within the reach of everyone who cares to try his hand, for 

 a greenhouse is not essential, and they may be grandly grown by 

 anyone with a dark cupboard or a dark cellar. When they have 

 been brought to perfection, or as near thereto as the means at 

 command will allow', they are amongst the most useful subjects for 

 room decoration, as, despite the somewhat stiff appearance of 

 Hj^acinths, they last well, smell sweetly, and when associated with 

 other things produce a beautiful effect in the early months of the year, 

 when flowers are none too plentiful, and those that can be had are 

 usually rather expensive of production. 



Preparation of the Compost.— Though bulbs will grov\^ and 

 flow^er in almost any soil through which water can pass Avith 

 reasonable freedom, it is only cultivators wdio go to some little 

 trouble in this direction that secure the best results. There is no 

 need to })rocure a rich or an elaborate mixture— indeed, one containing 

 fresh manure is more likely than not to lead to trouble by causing 

 tlie growths to split up and produce nothing better than a lot of small, 

 useless stalks that no amount of flattery can call si^ikes. The 

 employment of much chemical manure should also be regarded as 

 taboo, for the inclusion of too much will inevitably spell failure. 

 If it is used at all, let it be in very small quantities : but a great 

 many successful growers refrain from it altogether, and do what 

 feeding may be desirable when the plant is throwing up its spike. 

 The compost that has been found to answer best over a protracted 

 series of experiments is the very simple one of 3 parts of sound 

 loam, 1 part of thoroughly decomposed leaf mould, an 8-inch potful of 

 soot to every bushel of soil, and sufficient coarse sand to ensure 

 the whole allowing water to pass freely through it. 



It is very desirable, though not absolutely essential to success, 

 that the compost be mixed some time prior to its use, as in this 

 case the several ingredients appear to become more thoroughly 

 incorporated than when the utilisation follows immediately upon 

 the mixing. The actual state of the compost at the time of potting 

 has a material effect upon the ultimate results. If it be very dry, and 

 the precaution is not taken of carefully moistening it before use, it 

 is a difficult matter to bring it into a proper state afterwards ; 



