WINDOW GARDENiya. 147 
Crocus. 
The Crocus, which has for many ages been cultivated as an ornament to our 
flower gardens, can, if properly managed, be made an eflective plant for the con- 
servatory or ordinary house culture. The first thing of importance attending 
their culture is early planting, which should be attended to early in September. 
Few bulbs suffer more from being kept too long out of ground than these. The 
soil best adapted to them is a rich, light, sandy loam. Plant, for a good display, 
six to ten bulbs in a pot, colors to be arranged according to taste. A few small 
Fig. 35.— Box of Bulljs growiug in Sand. 
pots, with but one color in each, contrasts better with other plants in the window 
than larger pots of mixed sorts. When planted, plunge the pots out of doors, 
same as Hyacinth, and let them remain until Christmas, when they may be 
brought in and given plenty of light and air, keeping cool until they begin to 
show bloom, when they may be placed in the window as wanted. With these 
precautions, a fine display can be had. A succession of bloom may be kept up 
by bringing in as wanted. Disappointment generally arises from keeping them 
tijj. 36.— Tile Box fiUed with Bulba. 
too warm in the early stages of their growth. The following varieties are the 
best for pot culture, giving very large flowers of great substance, with rich and 
veiy beautiful colors: 
Albion, very large white. 
Albertine, white, striped violet 
Charles Dickens, large purple. 
