seeds weakens the bulbs. A hyacinth bulb that matures seeds is 
virtually destroyed. In the case of the snow-drops the explanation of 
their failure is strengthened by the fact that they prefer partial shade 
and are naturally found in Northern exposures and do better in 
similar garden conditions. 
Of course bulbs often disappear entirely from the border and are de- 
stroyed by various causes, — field mice, mildew, too much manure, etc. 
Daffodils will not bloom very well the year after they have been 
too thinly separated unless all the bulbs are mature, therefore for 
the sake of immediate effect it is well to transplant two or three 
together and in replanting our own bulbs we always run this risk of 
having to wait a year of two for blooms. 
To sum up the subject — 
Bulbs will not bloom if their leaves are cut off before they have 
ripened. 
They will not bloom if they have been out of the ground too long 
and allowed to dry up and lose their vitahty. 
They will not bloom if they have been forced the year before. 
They will not bloom if the season has been a dry one, and they 
have dried up where they were planted. 
They will not bloom the following year if the soil has been too 
poor to nourish them. 
They will not bloom if they are too young or have been dug up 
and transplanted before they are fully matured. 
They will not bloom if they have been injured in storage and for 
many of these reasons — they will not bloom if cheap and second rate 
bulbs are bought. The moral of which is, always go to a reliable seeds- 
man and never buy "bargain bulbs." 
Elizabeth D. Williams. 
Gardeners of Montgomery and Delaware Counties. 
Roses 
The following directions for rose culture I received from Admiral 
Ward several years ago and I have followed them during these years 
with most successful results. Mrs. William Scott Pyle, 
Garden Club of Somerset Hills. 
Make bed in Autumn for Roses. 
Plant 21 inches apart. 
Three rows — outside row 12 inches from edge. 
Plant Hybrid Perpetuals about March 25th. 
Other Roses after April 20th. 
