Bed of Ten Hyacinths and Twenty Tulips, Costing only $1.50. 

 MIXED BORDERS, 



To which the truly good tastes of many are now leaning, afford a greater variety 

 than if planted by any rule of thumb. A mixed border, well cared for, is a constant 

 source of pleasure and in early spring nothing is more pleasing than patches of Snow- 

 drops, Crocus, Tulips, Scillas, Hyacinths, Narcissus, remembering always to place on 

 the margins or front of the borders the Snowdrops, Crocus and Scillas, next the early 

 Tulips, then the Hyacinths, double Tulips and Narcissus. These should be in clumps 

 or patches; the smaller bulbs, as Snowdrops and Crocus, in lots of 8 or 10, the Tulips 

 5 to 8, the Hyacinths and Narcissus 3 to 7, as the widths of the borders may require. 

 All these may be left permanently in the ground for at least three seasons. 



The bulbs we have so far mentioned may be termed Iron Clad, as they are perfectly 

 hardy in all sections of the country. There are yet a few spring-flowering bulbs that 

 are not hardy north of Philadelphia. These are the lovely Polyanthus Narcissus, the 

 Roman Hyacinths, the many forms of Anemones, with their superb coloring. Then 

 there are Crown Imperials, with their inverted cups of gold or orange-red; the Squills 

 or Scillas, of so many shades of blue; the Lily oe the Valley, delighting as it does to 

 be under the lee of a wall or fence, partially shaded from the scorching sun (this is 

 perfectly hardy); the spring Snowflakes (Leucojum vernum) and the many early Iris, 

 as Verna, Pumila, Versicolor, and the many types of the German forms, not forgetting 

 Iberica and Susiana. 



PLANTING AND CARE. 



So far we have said nothing about planting. This should present itself so easily to 

 all that there should not be the least trouble. All soil, in good condition, is friable, 

 mellow and soft to the touch when not soaked with water — at which time no planting 

 should be attempted. Soil for bulbs should be moderately rich, either from the appli- 

 cation of partially decayed manure or from a dressing of bone-dust or artificial fertilizer. 

 The time to plant most of the bulbs mentioned is from the 20th of September to the 

 1st of November. A few days' grace either way may be given, but the happy medium is 

 between the dates given. The depth to plant bulbs requires only a little thought. 

 The larger bulbs, such as Hyacinths, Crown Imperials and Narcissus, should be at least 

 five inches deep; this will bring the top of the bulb within three inches of the surface. 

 The smaller bulbs should be planted so that the coveriag on them is in the same ratio. 



An important matter in the care of bulbs, especially the first year, is to afford them 

 some little protection in the shape of a temporary covering. This may be dry leaves, 

 rotten dung, or evergreen branches, placed over them about the end of Novembe* 

 and removed just after danger of severe frosts in spring is passed. 



