GARDENING FOR LITTLE GIRLS 



Dahlias and Cannas, however, grow from a 

 TUBER, which is an underground knob on the 

 stem, quite a little like a sweet potato, and which 

 sends out the shoots that make new plants. 



The crocus and the gladiolus both spring frdm a 

 CORM, which differs from the bulb in that it is 

 solid (not in layers), and from the tuber in that 

 it is not like a potato in shape but oval. 



The iris, though, grows from a RHIZOME, a 

 thickened root running along the ground (often 

 half exposed) , which throws up the nev/ plants as 

 it spreads. 



The bulb and tuber families are treated very 

 much alike. Some of each are left in the ground 

 year after year, like the daffodils and the lilies, 

 while others, like the cannas and dahlias, have 

 to be dug up, allowed to dry a little in the open air, 

 and then stored in a cool, dark place for the winter. 

 The rhizomes do not have to be ^ lifted,'' but are 

 increased generally by root division, — cutting off 

 a piece of the root soon after flowering, and plant- 

 ing where it will get a good start before next sea- 

 son's time to bloom. 



Some people today would follow Mohammed's 

 advice: ''He that hath two cakes of bread, let him 

 sell one of them— for bread is only food for the 

 body, but the narcissus is food for the soul;" 



49 



