1078 



THE PRACTICAL GARDENER. 



[Nov. 



POTTING BULBS FOR FORCING. 



Either the latter end of last month, or the beginning ol 

 this, is a good time to pot bulbous roots for forcing, to deco- 

 rate the drawing-room, the green-house, or the conservatory, 

 early in spring, before other plants come into flower. The 

 kinds most generally in use for this purpose, are hyacinths, 

 jonquils, Persian Iris, narcissus, tulips, and crocuses ; and, 

 in addition to these, when the taste of the cultivator leads him 

 that way, may be added most of the bulbs indigenous to the 

 Cape, such as amaryllis, oxalis, isia, gladiolus, &c. Either 

 of these may now be potted, in pots of sizes differing according 

 to the size of the bulbs ; although these plants, particularly 

 the larger growing kinds, will produce their flowers in much 

 greater perfection when potted singly, yet it is very usual to 

 plant more than one, nay often many roots into one pot, par- 

 ticularly of the smaller-sized kinds. The mould most proper 

 for them is like that recommended for all other bulbs, light 

 and rich ; indeed, it cannot be said to partake too much of 

 either of these properties. Still it must be borne in mind, 

 that unprepared dung, that is, such as has not undergone 

 complete decomposition, should never be used. A compound 

 of fresh maiden yellow loam, pure sand, and completely rotten 

 dung, at least twelve or eighteen months old, is to be pre- 

 ferred, and a smaller portion of vegetable mould of decayed 

 trees or leaves may be advantageously added. The proportions 

 of each must be regulated by the kinds of bulbs and by the 

 texture of the loam, whether strong or friable ; if strong, a 

 greater proportion of each of the other parts must be added, 

 particularly that of sand, but if friable and light, a less quan- 

 tity of either will suffice, particularly of sand, which in all 

 cases is added to reduce stronger soils to a proper texture. In 

 planting the bulbs, they should not be put in too deep, but a 

 part of their upper surface or crown should be left uncovered. 

 When the whole are planted, they should be buried under 

 some rotten tan, saw-dust, or dry light mould, in a dry situ- 

 ation. We allude here to the hardier kinds, such as are in 

 most common cultivation. In this situation they are to remain 

 until taken up to be placed in the green-house or forcing- pit. 



