THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
283 
most showy of spring flowers. There are no plants 
more worthy of general cultivation than the various 
species of Daffodils, of which there is, like the Hya¬ 
cinth and Tulip, an endless number of varieties. Most 
of them are of the easiest culture, requiring in the open 
border the same treatment as the Tulip. They do not, 
however, require such frequent shiftings, some of them 
will remain for many years in the same position, and 
seemingly grow better, particularly Poeticus, and its 
varieties, flowers more freely after being established a 
number of years. The best plan is to leave them all 
alone, as long at they continue to flower well. 
The following sorts embrace some of the best varieties 
for the open border. (See illustration.) 
1. Bicoler, large golden yellow trumpet, with white 
perianth; fine sort. 
2. Incomparabilis, primrose with yellow crown. 
3. Odorus Minor Flore Pleno (Queen Anne’s Jonquil), 
bright golden-yellow, very double ; excellent either for 
pots or the open border. 
4. Incomparabilis Sulphureus Plenus (Sulphur 
Crown), large sulphur-colored flowers, very double and 
fragrant, one of the finest double sorts. 
5. Poeticus Ornatus. Finest of the early flowering- 
varieties ; pure white, with red crown, flowers large 
and well-shaped, a very beautiful and useful variety. 
THE CROCUS. 
« 
The best way to use Crocuses in beds and borders, is 
in clumps consisting of from five to ten bulbs of one 
color. A magnificent effect may be produced by mark¬ 
ing off a border in three lines, and planting in those 
lines clumps of yellow, white and blue respectively. A 
long, straight border would look best with a greater 
Rustic Stand for Bulbs. 
number of lines planted in the same way, using white 
for the boundary on each side, and yellow and blue al¬ 
ternating between them. To do justice to the Crocus 
the soil should be sandy, deep, and rich, and they should 
remain undisturbed as long as they flower well, which 
will be at least five years. They should then be taken 
up, divided, and re-planted, covering them at least four 
inches. They increase rapidly, and in the course of a 
few years sufficient bulbs will have been produced to 
stock the whole garden, and the lawn as well., and Cro¬ 
cuses never show to better advantage than when plant¬ 
ed in small clumps on the lawn; coming into flower 
with the first in spring, makes them doubly welcome. 
They are about the only flowers that can be had on the 
lawn without injury to it by contrast of foliage. The 
leaves of the Crocus being grass-like, are never noticed 
after their flowers have faded. 
We often hear complaints about Crocuses not flow¬ 
ering ; there is really but one cause of failure, viz.: late 
planting, as the bulbs will soon dry up sufficiently when 
out of the ground, to destroy the germ, therefore to in¬ 
sure success plant early, not later than the first of 
October, and when bulbs are to be removed, take them 
up and re-plant the same day if possible. 
When grown in pots, Crocuses form charming deco¬ 
rative objects for the window garden, and for this pur¬ 
pose select the best named sorts, as there is an additional 
enjoyment of seeing the best forms and colors wdiich 
have been produced within the past few years in these 
flowers. 
Crocuses make splendid plants for the parlor table, 
when grown in small tubs, as shown by our illustration. 
To be grown for this purpose, it is best to put a number 
of bulbs in a pan, which is a broad, but shallow flower¬ 
pot, have the rustic tub made to fit the pan, so that 
after flowering, they can be taken out and another put 
in its place. In this way a succession of flowers or 
ornamental leaved plants can be had all through the 
winter. By bringing them forward at the proper time, 
pans of Hyacinths, Tulips or Snow-drops, can be used 
after the Crocuses are gone. 
THE SNOW-DROP 
should be found in every garden, not only because it is 
the first flower of spring, but because it is the loveliest. 
It is not an uncommon thing to have Snow-drops in 
flower, particularly if they are planted in some well- 
protected sunny border, a place where they should 
always be found, in February, at least two weeks ahead 
of the Crocus, in the same situation. The Snow-drop 
thrives in almost any situation or soil; it will live and 
bloom anywhere, and will survive more hard treatment 
than any other plant, excepting grass ; but few, flowers 
better repay care and good culture. The bulbs should 
be planted as early in autumn as they can be secured, 
as they suffer materially if left long out of the ground. 
They should be planted in small clumps, and left to care 
for themselves, which they will do, whether planted in 
sun or shade, under the trees, in the grass, in fact, 
where anything will grow the Snow-drop will. If plant¬ 
ed in the well ordered border, by its side for contrast 
should be found 
THE SCILLA, 
a lovely genus of small bulbs, with blue, white or 
pink flowers. They are mostly very early flowering, 
