Now comes another point to calculate, and that is the amount 
of soil necessary before putting in the bulbs. Find it out thus : 
hold the bulb to be used down into the pot so it is in the place 
it ought to be. Hyacinths should be potted so that their noses 
(the pointed end of the bulb is called the nose) are one-half inch 
below the surface of the soil; tulips, one-quarter inch below the sur- 
face ; and the narcissus group above the soil. The upper surface 
of soil in a pot should be one inch below the edge of the pot. 
This space is allowed for watering, so that soil will not flood over 
the edge of the pot when water is put on. After this, put a little 
sand over the soil, a layer not more than an eighth of an inch thick. 
This sand bed acts as a drainage area, allowing water to trickle 
down and away from the bulb. Now place the bulbs in their sand 
beds. Leave just space enough between the bulbs so that no two 
touch. Neither should they touch the sides of the pot. Cover 
with soil, pressing it down firmly about the bulbs. Now they are 
ready for the season of rest. 
Resting Period.—All potted bulbs should be placed in a dark, 
cold place for six to ten weeks. Roman hyacinths maybe brought 
in after a month’s rest. The object of this resting period is to 
give time for the roots to develop slowly and surely before the 
plants are brought into the light. For as soon as this time comes, 
a bulb expends all its energy in forcing the flowers and leaves, so 
the work of root making must be done before this time. If the 
roots are not properly developed, good results cannot be expected. 
The roots are properly developed when they begin to force their 
way out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. The pots may be 
stored for this resting period either indoors or outdoors. If they 
are to go indoors, select a cold, dark place, such as a cool cellar 
or basement. The bulbs must be watered once or twice a week. 
If they are to go outdoors, one of two methods may be employed. 
Either dig a trench in the ground for them ; or prepare a box. If 
a trench is dug, it must be at least eighteen inches deep, and wide 
enough to take in the widest receptacles. Place two inches of 
coal ashes on the bottom of the trench. This layer assists drain- 
age and offers an obstacle in the path of ascending worms. Now 
the pots of bulbs are placed on the ashes and soil put all about 
and above them. Fill in the rest of the trench with soil or coal 
4 
