NOVEMBER. 
241 
To “ Stella’s ” second request that I would name some Hyacinth other than 
King of Holland, single yellow, that while it would possess something of that 
shade of colour, would not be a single yellow—to this I reply that she can 
substitute for it Norma, single red. Still, so sure am I that “ Stella ” would be 
pleased with King of Holland, that I venture to press her to adhere to the list 
I gave her last month. 
To the third request that “Stella” makes, that I would give her a very 
short list of a few other spring-flowering bulbs for out of doors, as a supple¬ 
ment to the list of last month, to this task I now address myself. Candidly 
admitting that she is still in statu pupillari, I am enjoined to continue as far 
as I can the “ cultural hints ” attempted last month. I will do this, and if my 
simple instructions are followed, it may be the pleasant lot of “ Stella” in the 
coming spring months to see— 
“ Her flowers with sweetest odours blow, 
Hear music in each bush and tree, 
All natui-e filled with harmony.” 
Tor very early flowering, the quaint little Bulbocodium vernum can be em- . 
ployed. On emerging from the ground it presents the appearance of a thick 
green tusk ; this opens, and unfolds a light purple unexpanded flower, streaked 
with white. At this stage the flowers are remarkably pretty. When they 
expand, they become large and ragged. The slugs are apt to attack them, and 
at the first evidence of their onslaught they should be looked for and destroyed. 
With these would also come into bloom the Snowdrops, if “ Stella ” is not as yet 
without them. The curious little Winter Aconite, and the pretty blue Scilla 
prsecox, or sibirica as it is generally termed, would follow these in the order of 
blooming. If the Aconites are planted close to the edge of the border, and the 
Scillas just behind them, they will form a very pleasing contrast indeed. Any 
tolerable garden soil will grow all these, and the bulbs can be obtained at a 
very reasonable cost indeed. To these may also be added a few purple Dog’s- 
tooth Violets. They are very handsome, and the foliage is also so beautifully 
marked as to be highly ornamental also. The most ordinary treatment suffices 
for these. 
Then “ Stella” should certainly have a few Narcissi for her borders. The 
pretty N. bulbocodium, or Hoop Petticoat INarcissus should be one, as it 
gives such a profusion of golden yellow flowers. It grows some 6 inches 
in height, and if planted in little clumps will add much to the gaiety of her 
garden; also N. maximus Trompet Major, and its twin, Trompet Sulphur, the 
first having large yellow leaves, the latter pale sulphur. Like N. bulbocodium 
these are single flowers. The varieties of N. maximus grow from 12 inches to 
18 inches in height. Then a few of the double white sweet-scented can be 
added—and I would advise “ Stella ” to procure roots that have been imported 
from Holland—also, two large and showy double varieties known as Orange 
Phoenix and Sulphur Crown. The former has a centre of orange on a pale 
yellow ground, the latter is a pale-sulphur-coloured flower, with yellow centre ; 
and both grow some 12 inches in height. A few of the double and single 
Jonquils should also be obtained, they are both yellow, and the last sweetly 
fragrant. The common Campernelle Jonquil must not be omitted. The flowers 
are produced in trusses like a Polyanthus, and are very gay. The first two 
grow about 12 inches, the last-named 18 inches. 
For later flowering, Anemones and Ranunculuses can be employed—of the 
former some fine double mixed, and of the latter some fine mixed Persian. 
The Anemones are quite hardy, and will flourish in any garden. A good light 
rich soil is invariablv recommended for them, and from October to March is 
%/ 
the time at which they are generally planted. The Ranunculus has a rather 
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