BULBS AFTER FLOWEUING. 



25 



before it was showing the green tip of the growth in the apex, 

 None except the finest bulbs, procured from sources of the highest 

 repute, must be employed for potting, more particularly when 

 forcing is to be done. 



Bulbs After Flowering.— The manner in which bulbs that 

 liave produced splendid flowers are treated is little short of dis- 

 graceful, for they are cast aside as though they never were and 

 never could be of any value. It is certainly false economy to retain 

 bulbs for pot culture from year to year, as new ones that will 

 produce far better flowers can be purchased very cheaply, but, at 

 the same time, those which have done good service may be made to 

 do something more, if they are correctly handled after flowering. 

 For plantiag in borders of mixed plants they are invaluable, while 

 for woodlands they are practically as useful as newly bought stock. 

 They never develop such handsome trusses after the first season 

 of blooming, but the spikes they do produce are valuable for cutting, 

 which is more than can be said for the early ones, as these are too 

 stiff to have any value for this purpose. Tulips and Narcissi are 

 even more serviceable than Hyacinths for planting out. 



The proper way to treat them may be described as briefly as 

 possible, for the benefit of those who have been in the habit of 

 throwing away useful materiaL As soon as the spike has passed its 

 best stage, let it be removed, as its retention means that it is 

 taking a certain amount of sustenance for which it will give no 

 return. It is to the leaves that we must look to secure some 

 irecompense for our labours now, as they contain much stored 

 material that will be of use to us if we can get it transferred to 

 the bulb in the soil. This is induced by keeping the leaves green 

 for a reasonable period, this being ensured by regular, though 

 lessened, supplies of water. If these are given, the foliage gradually 

 dies down, sending its store of nutriment into the bulbs in the 

 process ; first the upper extremities of the leaf turn yellow, this 

 slowly spreading to the base, when the work of the leaves may be 

 said to be concluded, and they should be removed. No better way 

 of managing the plants can be suggested than this, and it has the 

 merit of being extremely simple. 



There is one other way in which the bulbs may be treated after 

 they have done flowering, and it has, what will be a distinct recom- 

 mendation in the eyes of many people, the merit of being even easier 

 than the one already suggested. This is to plant them out directly 

 they have finished blooming, removing the spike, but not the leaves, 

 in the manner directed in the preceding paragraphs. For this 

 purpose a piece of ground in good heart should be chosen, and for 

 preference it should be shaded from the hottest sun, as strong 

 sunshine will rush the ripening of the leaves along too fast for them 

 to confer the fullest benefit upon the bulbs. If the soil be naturally 

 very dry, it will be necessary to give one or two thorough soak- 

 ings of clear water, it not being desirable to use any liquid manure 

 at this stage. In the event of the only available space being 



