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BULBOUS FLOWERING 
PLANTS (Bulbs) produce re- 
markably beautiful flowers, 
unsurpassed in many varie- 
ties by any other vlants in 
the floral kingdom, and, be- 
sides, many of them are delightfully frag- 
rant. There is a peculiar charm in grow- 
ing them for they comprise such an end- 
less variety in habit, form, size, color, and 
are adaptable for so many purposes; 
many of them flower equally well under 
either garden or house culture. Among other merits of bulbs is the certainty 
and perfection with which they bloom and their ease of culture. 
BULBS FOR FLOWERING IN THE HOUSE AND GREENHOUSE,—There 
is no class of plants that gives more satisfaction for this purpose than bulbous 
plants (bulbs), and with so little skill gives such magnificent results. They 
are easily managed, and need occupy no space in the window or greenhouse 
excepting when in bud and bloom. Under suitable treatment they flower 
with great certainty, and their flowering period may be hastened (forced) or 
retarded so as to “ bring them in”’ for certain occasions, or to give a con- 
tinuous succession of bloom. There is a great variety of kinds of bulbs to 
select from for this purpose. 
HARDY BULBS FOR OPEN-GROUND PLANTING.—A great many kinds of 
bulbs are hardy enough to withstand our severe Northern winters. Most of 
the suitable sorts should be planted in the fall, and they will flower the fol- 
lowing season, commencing in March or earlier with Snowdrops, Chionodoxas, 
Scillas, Crocus, Aconites, Bulbocodiums, etc., which are followed in April 
with Hyacinths, Tulips, Daffodils, and hosts of other bulbous beauties. In 
May appear late Tulips, late Narcissus, Lily of the Valley, Bleeding Hearts, 
etc. Again, followed in succession until frost, notably with Peonias, Iris 
Hemerocallis Lilies, etc. 
FOR GEOMETRICAL OR “ DESIGN ’’ BEDDING.—The bulbs best adapted 
are Dutch Hyacinths and Tulips. In this style of bedding the happiest effects 
are produced by planting solid bright colors in contrast, and in ordering the 
varieties it is important to select those that will bloom at the same time and 
are of proper heights. 
THE FLOWER GARDEN 
AND MIXED HERBACE- 
OUS BORDER are favorite 
places for growing most 
hardy bulbs, and here they 
seem to thrive and give the 
most pleasure. They should be planted 
here and there in little colonies among 
the hardy plants and shrubs. Besides, 
from the border one does not hesitate to 
gather flowers daily for the house, for 
fear of spoiling the effect, as would be the 
case from design beds. Furthermore, in an herbaceous border bulbs are not dis- 
turbed, the foliage remains uninjured until ripe, thus fulfilling its duty assigned 
by nature of recharging the bulb with new flowers for the next season's display. 
BOLD, ISOLATED CLUMPS OF TALL-GROWING BULBOUS PLANTS 
make a brilliant show planted on the lawn in a position not too prominent 
nor too near, the object desired being a large mass of one color, in striking 
contrast to the surrounding green grass and trees. 
BULBS RIGHT IN THE SOD ON THE LAWN present a pleasing picture 
when in bloom, in the early spring. They should be planted in a “ hit-and- 
miss "’ fashion, an irregular group in one place, scattered individuals over 
there, as one would find wild flowers. Of course, on closely clipped lawns, 
only very early spring-flowering bulbs can be used, those that flower, ripen 
and die down before it is necessary to use a mower. Then the summer surface 
on the lawn will be as smooth and green as if no sleeping bulbous beauties 
were beneath it waiting for their awakening the next spring. The bulbs may 
be planted with a dibble when the sod is moist and soft after fall rains, but 
it is better to cut the sod, turn it back, plant the bulbs and press the sod in place. 
““NATURALIZING ’? HARDY BULBS in semi-wild, outlying grounds is a 
happy style of simulating nature. Such bulbs should be used as can be planted 
in quantity, from a dozen to a hundred of a kind in a patch. Fortunately, 
among bulbous plants we have many that are hardy, thrive and increase in 
such rough, neglected, picturesque places even better than in the prim garden. 
COMPLETE CULTURAL INSTRUCTIONS are given in the new edition of 
“HENDERSON’S BULB CULTURE.” 
Price, 50c., cr given free with an order for $3.00 or over. 
FOR INDEX, FREE DELIVERY, REMITTING, ETC., SEE PAGE 64. 
