iv 



PREFACE. 



these are soon followed by the Narcissus and showy 

 Tulips, and all before other vegetation is fairly started. 

 In rapid succession follow the Crown- imperials, the Iris, 

 and, before these are goue, the Gladiolus aud Lilies com- 

 mence their long succession of bloom. Interspersed 

 with these is a host of other bulbs, equally valuable for 

 their flowers, but whose names are rarely mentioned. 

 Another advantage that bulbs possess, is their long period 

 of rest, which leaves the ground, half the year, free for 

 other plants. The bulbs may be removed from their 

 places of bloom into the reserve garden to ripen, which 

 makes their places free for the introduction of annuals, 

 or other flowering plants. Beginners have an impression 

 that there are many difficulties to be met, in the man- 

 agement of bulbs, which must be overcome, in order to 

 have them produce their flowers to perfection ; whereas, 

 in reality, no other plants are so easy to manage, none 

 more showy, and none succeed as well under all circum- 

 stances, as the different classes of bulbs and tuberous- 

 rooted plants. To facilitate reference, the various gen- 

 era are alphabetically arranged in this volume, except 

 the Amaryllis group, which have beeu brought together 

 on Pages 10 to 26, for the convenience of the reader- 

 A copious index will be found at the end of the book. 



C. L. ALLEN. 



Floral Park, N. Y. 



