CROCUS. 



G9 



The corms should be planted, at least, three inches deep, 

 for as the new corms form above or beyond the old ones, 

 they will, in a few years, push themselves out of the 

 ground if planted too near the surface. The corms may 

 remain where planted for three or four years, without 

 removal, or as long as they continue to flower well. 

 When a change becomes necessary, take up and replant 

 the same day if possible, and do it as soon as convenient 

 after the foliage has dried up. 



One of the peculiarities of Crocuses is, that when 

 they are in flower the seed-vessel is still under ground, 

 almost close to the corm ; and it is not till some weeks 

 after the flower has decayed that it emerges, on a white 

 peduncle, and ripens its seeds above the ground. Cro- 

 cuses should not be planted in a shaded situation, as 

 they require full sunlight to mature their foliage, upon 

 which their next season's flowering depends. In plant- 

 ing them, there are two important considerations ; the 

 first is situation. Shade must ever be avoided, for with- 

 out sunshine the Crocus is without a home. Select 

 some warm cozy corner, where the sun delights to linger, 

 and there plant the corms. The next consideration is 

 selection, and that is, in a large measure, a matter of 

 taste. The quality of the corms, however, is very im- 

 portant, and should, in all cases, be of the best. We 

 always advise the planting of named varieties ; not that 

 a plant is any better for its having a name, but for 

 the fact that small-sized inferior bulbs are put into the 

 mixtures, while the best bulbs are sold under names. And 

 it is as well to remark here that the Dutch bulb-growers 

 do not grow anything in mixture ; everything is under 

 name, and mixtures are of surplus stock and second 

 quality of bulbs. Color, and arrangement in planting, 

 is a matter of choice. Having determined upon that, 

 select the best bulbs to secure your object. A few of 

 the best are : 



