HARDY BULBS AND TUBERS. 
2«1 
of the finest specimens are to be seen in cottage gardens, where 
the roots are rarely disturbed, and therefore care should be 
taken not to interfere with the bulbs when once planted. Plant 
the bulbs in early autumn 6in. deep and a foot apart. They 
look best when grown in bold groups. The Snake’s Head 
Fritillary (F. Meleagris) thrives best on grassy banks or in 
turf, especially where the soil is not too dry. Scatter the bulbs 
about on the turf, and plant them 4in. deep where they lie 
on the surface. In this way they will have a natural appear- 
ance when in flower. May be grown also in moist borders or 
rockeries in full sun. Plant in groups to look effective. F. 
kamschatica must be grown in sandy peat in a warm nook of 
the rockery. F. recurva will also do best on a rockery in 
sandy loam. Cover with a handlight in winter to keep off 
heavy rain. The other species will succeed in sandy loam on 
a sunny rockery, or on the margin of a sunny border The 
bulbs should be planted in September or October 4 to 6in. 
deep and 6 to 8in. apart, according to their size. It is not 
wise to disturb the bulbs oftener than once in four years. When 
removal is necessary wait till the leaves die. Increased by 
seeds sown in sandy soil in autumn or spring in a cold frame. 
Seedlings do not flower till four or five years old. Also by 
offsets in early autumn. All flower in April, May and June. 
Galanthus (Snowdrop). — Everybody knows and admires 
the modest Snowdrop which greets us with its pearly blossoms 
early in the year, and everyone who has a garden loves to 
grow a few bulbs. The Snowdrop belongs to the same order 
as the Narcissus, namely, the Amaryllidace'se. The Com- 
mon Snowdrop (G. nivalis) grows wild in Britain as well as in 
Europe, and is too well known to need any introduction. 
There are single and double-flowered forms of it. G. Imperati 
is an Italian variety of it with larger leaves and flowers. 
Other species are G. Alleni, a native of Asia Minor, with large 
leaves and flowers ; G. byzantinus, a robust species with large 
flowers ; G. Elwesii, large globular green and white flowers, a 
vigorous kind ; G. Fosteri, a tall species with broad foliage 
and large flowers ; G. Ikarias, leaves glossy green, recurving, 
and flowers snowy-white ; G. latifolius, a Caucasian species 
with broad foliage and small flowers ; G. plicatus (Crimson 
Snowdrop)', leaves broad and channelled and reflexed at tips, 
flowers later than other species ; G. — Whitallii, a new species, a 
robust grower with large leaves and globular flowers. All 
the species mentioned may be grown in masses on grassy 
slopes in turf on the fringe on evergreen trees, under the 
branches of deciduous trees, in the open lawn, or in wood- 
lands. The best effect is obtained by mixing Winter Aconites, 
Chionodoxas, Scillas and Snowdrops together in masses. 
