DECEMBER. 



Dimmest and brightest month am I; 

 My short days end, my lengthening days begin; 

 What matters more or less sun in the sky, 

 When all is sun within." 



Christina G. Rossetti, 



During this month the bulbs for blooming 



in the house should be started, as they take 



from twelve to sixteen weeks from the time 



they are planted till they bloom. The soil 



for these bulbs should be a mixture of one 



part sand, one part fine manure and one part 



leaf mold or fine soil. Put stones in the 



bottom of four or six inch pots and fill with 



this mixture. Plant the bulbs, little bulbs in 



the smaller pots, bigger bulbs in the larger 



pots, taking care to put some sand in the 



holes before burying the bulbs so the rich soil 



will not touch them directly. Place the pots 



in a cellar or some cool, dark place and cover 



them completely with earth. Thus buried 



from all light and air, the bulbs form strong 



roots, which produce fine blossoms later. 



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