17 



rotten wood, or vegetable mould from a swamp, may be added to tlie 

 above, if conveniently to be obtained, wbich will, at all times, be benefi- 

 cial in giving additional lightness to tbe soil. 



The various species of rae Amaryllis succeed best in a rich sandy loam ; 

 and the families of the Ixia, Oxalis, Feraria, Gladiolus, Antholyza, La- 

 chcnalia, and most other Cape and Tropical bulbs, require the soil to be 

 more sandy than for the generality of other bulbs. 



Forming (he Beds.— The beds should be raised about four inches above 

 the level of the walks, and moderately arched, which will afford an oppor- 

 tunity 'or the superfluous moisture to run off. Sand (either sea or fresh) 

 strewed in tbe trenches, before and after placing the roots, will be 

 beneficial. 



Time of Planting. — For the Hyacinth, Tulip, Crown Imperial, Squill, 

 Lily, Polyanthus Narcissus, Double Narcissus, Jonquil, Iris, Grocus, Col- 

 cliicum, Star of Bethlehem, Snow Drop, Snow Flake, Gladiolus, Allium, 

 and most other hardy bulbs, the preferable season for planting is the 

 months of October and November — and it is" well to be observed, that the 

 species of bn lbs above named, (Tulips excepted,) will thrive best if not 

 taken from the ground oftener than every second or third year. The dif- 

 ferent species of the Feraria, Antholyza, Ixia, Crinum, Haemanthus, Eu- 

 comis, the tender species of Amaryllis, Pancratium, and Gladiolus, and 

 most other delicate bulbs, may Le planted during the months of Novem- 

 ber and December, in pots, when intended to he sheltered daring the win- 

 ter, or they can be kept in dry sand until April or May, and then be planted 

 in pots, or in the open ground, when it has become free from frost, and 

 perfectly settled. 



Depth and Distance— Hyacinths, Persian Fritillary, Martagon, and 

 other Lilies, and Peonies, should be planted at the depth of four inches; 

 Crown Imperials and Polyanthus Narcissus, five inches; Tulips, Double 

 and Single Narcissus, Jonquils, Colchicums, Snow Flakes, Bulbous Iris, 

 and Gladiolus, three inches; Crocus, Arums, Small Fritillaries, and Snow 

 Drops, two inches; Ranunculus and Anemone, one and a half inches; 

 Dogstoolh Violet, one inch ; always measuring from the top of the bulb. 

 The rows should be ten inches apart, and the roots be placed from four to 

 six inches apart in rows, according to their size. 



Protection during Winter.— In the Middle and Northern States it will, 

 on the approach of winter, be beneficial, though not absolutely necessary, 

 to cover the beds with straw, tanners' bark, withered leaves, or light earth 

 from the woods, (such as is formed by the decay of foliage,) to the depth 

 of two or three inches, as it prevents any ill effects which a very severe- 

 season might have upon the roots. This covering must be carefully raked 

 off early in the spring. The Polyanthus Narcissus, Hoop Petticoat Nar- 

 cissus, and Arum Dracunculus, being more tender than other species, re- 

 quire a covering of five or six inches of straw or leaves in the manner 

 above detailed. 



Taking up Bulbs after Flowering.— About a month after the bloom is 

 passed, the foliage puts on a yellow decayed appearance. This is the 

 proper season for taking up the roots ; on doing which, the stem and foliage 

 s hould be cut oft" within an inch of the bulb, leaving the fibrous roots at- 

 tached to it. After this preparation, spread them singly in an airy room to 

 dry, for tw o or three weeks, then wrap each root carefully in paper, (the 

 air being injurious,) or put them in dry sand, until replanted. 

 _ Anemone and Ranunculus.— -The soil should be compact and rich, not 

 light or sandy. A stiff' loamy soil suits them very well; and with it there 

 should be mixed one fourth part of rotten manure, and, in doing this, the 

 earth ought to be well pulverized. In England they are planted about the 

 10th of February ; and here they may with success be planted as early in 

 the spring as the ground can be worked. We have had them to succeed 

 well when planted at the end of October, or early in November, and pro- 

 B* 



