The Chrissenmas to Mayday 
some people call them — but, of course, just now they are 
not very ornamental. How lovely they must be in their 
native Canadian swamps ! Snowdrops, though they won’t 
force, can be lifted out of the border the moment they 
show their heads, and then last a long time in pots in a 
room that is not too hot. I have heard of Crocuses being 
grown in hyacinth glasses with water. I must try this ; it 
sounds pretty, but impossible. At present, I only grow 
“ Joss Lilies,” Polyanthus Narcissi in water, and, of course, 
Hyacinths, in glasses, for I am old-fashioned enough to 
grow hyacinths in blue and green glasses. Doctors differ 
about the best mode of procedure after the bulb has under- 
gone solitary confinement in the dark for upwards of six 
weeks. I always find that not changing the water, except 
in such small modicum as comes from keeping each glass 
filled, seems to succeed well. A small bit of charcoal 
lives at the bottom of each vase and keeps all fresh and 
sweet. Certainly the results are beautiful. I buy my bulbs 
of English providers, generally of a man named Sydenham 
(Tenby Street, Birmingham), who sells all kinds of bulbs, 
and I do not think they could have more lovely flowers, 
even the second year planted out they are beautiful. A 
Bermuda Cedar, about two feet high, is a lovely room 
decoration, and so is a Life Plant, a Myrtle, or a Eucalyptus. 
Coix Lachryma , “ Job’s Tears,” is also a pretty room plant. 
But I must admit these do not stand long visits to the 
house, and have to retire periodically to the greenhouse ; 
when Boy comes with his little cart, and they are solemnly 
packed side by side and carted away in state by Master 
Redcap. I think a greenhouse can be so pretty. I wonder 
no poet, except Cowper, to my knowledge, has ever sung 
its charms ; but, then, there must be taste in the grouping 
of the flowers ; not dull rows of plants all the same, like a 
regiment. Even a regiment of Tuberoses or Carnations 
can be dull. People are trying now, I believe, to grow 
Orchids on tree-fern stems instead of always in wire-baskets. 
It will look much prettier, and will probably be a success, 
since the more the tree-fern will rot the better the parasite 
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