The single flowered varieties of bulbs are more attractive than 
the double flowering kinds. In preparing an outdoor bed be 
sure that the soil is dug up and made fine for a depth of eight 
inches. Different bulbs are planted at different depths. Hya- 
cinths should go six inches beneath the soil and six inches 
apart; narcissus and tulips, four inches down and four apart; 
crocuses, three inches deep and three apart; all small bulbs, like 
snowdrops, etc., should go only just beneath the surface of the 
soil. Cover the bulbs over with soil. When the weather becomes 
cold and just before frost, put about two inches of barnyard 
dressing (horse manure) over the beds. Later, as the weather 
grows colder, put a piece of sacking or heavy wrapping-paper 
over each bed. Hold these down with stones so that the wind 
does not blow the covers away. This last cover is not an abso- 
lute necessity. When the spring comes, take away whatever re- 
mains of the coverings and see the tips of the bulbs poking out of 
the ground. For outdoor planting, buy “bedding” varieties. 
Do not wait until late October or November to buy bulbs, for 
they lose value during the fall, shrinking and becoming less 
strong. The outdoor bulb bed may be left as it is after blossom- 
ing time. That is, the bulbs may be left in the ground, and the 
tops cut off. Of course, all the bulbs could be dug up, dried and 
planted out again the next fall. These bulb beds should have 
new bulbs put in about once in four years. 
E. E. S. 
