THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
293 
and hyacinths mixed with the crocuses, that when the latter are off, 
it may still be attractive. But probably the borders will generally 
be preferred to separate beds, and then the following plan will be 
found advantageous. 
Let the outer row be composed of crocuses, the next of hyacinths, 
and the third, or inner row, of tulips. You need not be afraid of 
planting too thickly, but let there be two or three inches space 
between each kind of bulb. The crocuses will be off the bloom by 
the time the hyacinths are in their prime, and the foliage, long and 
pendent, of the former will make a pretty fringed border for the 
latter. Oval or round beds have a fine effect when planted in this 
way ; the beauty is prolonged, and the whole may be cleared away 
in time for the spring bedding-out of the greenhouse exotics. In 
planting, dig a trench about four inches deep around the bed, and 
as wide as you require it. Let the bottom be well loosened, and 
then place the bulbs in order upon it. Cover with about half an 
inch of rotten leaf-mould and sand, if you have prepared any such 
precious compost, and then return the mould first thrown out. 
During the winter be careful of the ravages of mice, for they often 
devour thousands of crocuses and tulips before they are observed. 
The crocuses may be mixed, or planted in alternate rows of various 
colours. The same plan may be pursued with the hyacinths. 
For planting in the open air, purchase the mixed sorts, sold at 
three shillings a dozen, single and double white, red, and blue. 
These mixtures generally contain many fine sorts. Snowdrops, 
crown imperials, narcissus, etc., may be placed in clumps in various 
parts of the beds, bordered in the manner )ust described, and, thus 
furnished, wait with patience till the first warm suns of spring call 
your beauties above the ground. 
INDIGOFERA DECORA. 
HIS is an exceedingly useful plant for decorative pur- 
poses. It soon forms a large specimen, and flowers 
abundantly for several months in succession. Cuttings 
made of short-jointed bits of young wood in a half-ripe 
state (which are readily obtained from growing plants 
in autumn), insert* d in light sandy soil, and set in a close place, 
soon emit roots, and may be allowed to remain in the cutting pot 
until spring, or potted off and established in small pots, as may be 
most convenient. 
In February, or as early in spring as convenient, place the young 
plants in a moist growing temperature of from 50° to t’0°, and 
sprinkle them frequently with the syringe, to induce them to start 
into growth. As soon as active growth commences see to the state 
of the roots, and give a liberal shift, if the pots are moderately filled 
with healthy roots, say into pots two sizes larger; but uuless the 
roots are in an active state, defer potting until such is the case. 
Apply water cautiously for a fortnight or so, until the roots lay 
October. 
