CROCUS — CROTON 



369 



p. 345). They are so ehcajD and lasting that they may be used in 

 quantity. A border of crocuses along the edges of walks, little clumps 

 of them in the lawn, or masses in a bed, give the first touch of color 

 as the spring opens. 



A sandy soil suits the crocus admirably. Plant in the fall, in the 

 open, 3 to 4 inches deep. When they show signs of failing, take up 

 the bulbs and reset them. They tend to rise out of the ground, 

 because the new bulb or corm forms on the top of the old one. They 

 run out on lawns in two or three years. If best results are desired, it 

 is well to renew the bed occasionally by buying new bulbs. Crocus 

 beds may be filled later in the season with quick-growing annuals. It 

 is important that only the best flowering bulbs be secured. 



They may be forced with ease, planted in pots or shallow boxes, jDut 

 away in a cool place and brought into the house at any time through 

 the winter. A low temperature will bring them into bloom in per- 

 fection in about four weeks from the time they are brought in. They 

 can be had in the window-garden in this way, opening in the sunshine. 



Croton. — Under this name many varieties and so-called species of 

 Codiseum are grown for conservatory decoration, and latterly for 

 foliage bedding in the open. The colors and shapes of the leaves are 

 very various and attractive. The crotons make good window-garden 

 subjects, although they are very liable to the attack of the mealy bug. 



The plants should be given an abundance of light in order to bring 

 out their fine colors; but it is usually advisable to screen them from 

 the direct rays of the sun when they are grown under glass. If the 

 red spider or the mealy bug attack them, they may be syringed with 

 tobacco water. Plants that are propagated indoors in winter may 

 be massed in beds out of doors in summer, where they make very 

 striking effects. Give them strong deep soil, and be sure that they are 

 syringed frequently enough on the underside of the leaves to keep down 

 the red spider. If the plants have been gradually subjected to strong 

 light before they are taken out of doors, they will stand the full sun- 

 light and w^ill develop their rich colors to perfection. In the fall they 

 may be taken up, cut back, and used for window-garden or conserva- 

 tory subjects. 



Crotons are shrubs or small trees, and they may be transferred into 

 2b 



