ri6 



FLORA AND SYLVA. 



themselves, where they can be given 

 all they need, and such a spot may be 

 found in nearly every garden. In a 

 sunny corner let a raised bed be formed 

 some 6 to 10 inches higher than the 

 surrounding surface, the sides supported 

 by wood or stone (a vine-border makes 

 a capital site without any further rais- 

 ing); the soil composed of leaf mould, 

 sandy road-grit, and ordinary light 

 border soil, to which some fibrous loam 

 may be added. We have found of late 

 years that rather heavier soil than was 

 originally used is beneficial, as it does 

 not get too hot and dry in the summer. 



Plant the bulbs in October-No- 

 vember, about 3 inches deep and 3 

 inches apart ; when planted cover the 

 bed with reeds, bracken, or similar ma- 

 terial. This throws off the heavy rains 

 and keeps the soil open ; but, remem- 

 ber, the covering is not so much meant 

 to exclude frost as cold rains, so do 

 not use too much of it. Should it be 

 very wet and rain fall persistently, place 

 a light over the bed. Another method 

 of cultivation is to plant the bulbs in a 

 frame, and, where frames are to spare, 



nothing is simpler or better ; the light 

 is raised at each end, so that there is 

 plenty of fresh air, and, at the same 

 time, all rain is excluded. Remove all 

 covering from the beds early in Feb- 

 ruary, when the bulbs should be well 

 advanced in growth. As they pass out 

 of flower remove all flower-stems, as, 

 if left, they quickly seed, and, ripening 

 on the plant, weakens the growth. 

 Place a light over the bed towards the 

 end of July and thoroughly rest and 

 ripen the bulbs ; the bulbs may later 

 on be lifted, stored in a dry place and 

 planted again in November. 



Apart from the foregoing sugges- 

 tions, the dwarf forms and Star Tulips 

 are admirably suited for planting in the 

 rock garden on sunny ledges in small 

 groups. Of their value as garden plants 

 in this country, when well grown, one 

 cannot speak too highly. 



These notes are not to be taken in 

 any sense as complete, and I hope my 

 readers will pardon any shortcomings 

 they may find in them. 



Robert Wallace, 



Colchester. 



The Weasel the Gardener's Friend. — Of all 

 people in the land gardeners have most reason to 

 protect the weasel. They have not one single word 

 of complaint against it, not even for disturbing the 

 soil of the flower-beds. Having no game to en- 

 courage, they may safely say to it, " Come hither, 

 little benefactor ; take up thy abode amongst us. 

 We will give shelter to thy young ones and pro- 

 tection to thyself, and we shall always be glad to see 

 thee." And fortunate, indeed, are those horticul- 

 tural inclosures which can boast the presence of a 

 weasel ; for neither mouse, nor rat, nor mole can 

 carry on their projects with impunity whilst the 



weasel stands sentinel over the garden-ordinary, and 

 of little cost are the apartments required for it. A 

 cart-load of rough stones heaped up in some se- 

 questered corner free from dogs, will be all that it 

 wants for a safe retreat and a pleasant dwelling. Al- 

 though the weasel generally hunts for food during 

 the night, it is by no means indolent in the day- 

 time if not harassed by dogs or terrified by the re- 

 port of guns. Whilst all is still around you, it may 

 be seen coming out of a hole in the ground, with 

 its head particularly erect at the time, and it starts 

 and stops at intervals as though afraid to advance. 

 — Charles Waterton. 



