ashes. Coal ashes form a looser layer than that made by soil, so 
it is easier to shovel off the ashes in cold weather. Never use 
wood ashes, because of the lye in them, which, trickling down to 
the bulbs would kill them. Leave them thus until you wish to 
take them in. But allow six weeks for development. Nature 
does the watering. The second method, that of using a box, is an 
excellent one for use in schools. Get a box of the size you wish ; 
it should have a depth of at least two feet. Put an inch layer of 
sand, soil or ashes over the entire bottom of the box, placing the 
pots on this. Cover the pots in the box with sand and then fill 
the box full with coal ashes. In extreme weather put a covering 
over the box which is left outdoors, on the ground or on a roof. 
Again nature does the watering. The box may be lined with a 
heavy wrapping paper, which insures greater warmth. Be sure to 
mark the pots with wax crayons. This is very essential in school 
work, so that children may receive their own pots. 
Care of Bulbs.— When the pots come out of the darkness, do not 
immediately bring them into direct sunshine. Let this be gradual, 
first leaving them in a darkened part of a room, and finally when 
the buds begin to open, see that they receive the direct sunlight. 
Water freely, for it helps the blossom to unfold. Never let a 
pot stand where a draft strikes the plant, or the blossoms will 
blast before unfolding. After the period of bloom is over, let the 
blossoms, leaves and all, completely wither up. Then cut the 
stalks back to one inch from the bulb itself. Shake all soil from 
the roots and place the bulbs in the sunshine to dry out. Pack 
away in tin boxes. These bulbs may be planted outdoors the 
following fall ; they are of little or no value for further work 
indoors, for they rarely give satisfactory blossoms. Chinese lilies 
can never be used again after one period of blossoming. 
Water Culture.— Some bulbs will grow well in water, pebbles 
and water, or sand and water. Hyacinths do well in tall glasses 
which the florists and seedsmen sell for this purpose. Fill the 
glass with water, place the hyacinth in the top of the glass with 
the pointed end of the bulb up. Now place the glass away in a 
dark closet, but not necessarily a cold one, until the hyacinth’s 
roots are way down to the bottom of the glass. Then it is time 
to bring it to the light. Chinese lilies and other members of 
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