100 
The Garden Magazine, October, 1923 
Caution: If bulbs are set hit-or-miss fashion with respect to 
depth of planting, some will be deep and some shallow, causing 
an irregularity of blooming time. To insure a mass of uni¬ 
form blooms, see that bulbs are of uniform grade and set at a 
uniform depth in an evenly prepared bed. 
Further Care and Culture 
W HILE there is little necessity for cultivation of the bulb- 
bed following planting in the fall, it is well to stir the 
surface soil. Just before the ground freezes deep enough to 
reach the bulbs, mulch the bed (with a generous layer of straw 
or forest leaves, for example). This gives the bulbs a longer 
period of development than if the bed is left bare, and will help 
retain the essential moisture in the spring, when it is so much 
needed for blooming. 
When spring approaches, rake part of the mulch off the beds, 
and as the weather grows warmer and the bulbs begin to send 
up growths, remove the rest of the mulch carefully, work the soil 
thoroughly as deep as possible without damage to the crowns, 
and replace the finest part of the mulch between the rows. 
From this time on, only enough cultivation is given to keep 
down the weeds. Another thorough working of the surface-soil 
is given as soon as the blossoms die and the stems wilt down. 
Later, the amount of mulch is increased, for winter Drotection. 
Renewing the Bulb Bed 
T HERE are three reasons for renewing the bulb bed: First, 
thoroughly to re-work and pulverize the soil, which be¬ 
comes packed. Second, to separate the bulb-clusters, thus 
guarding against crowding and stunting of the plants, which 
result in poor blooming. Third, to add fertility to the soil. 
About every three years, the bulb-bed should be carefully 
dug up. The bulbs have greatly multiplied by this time, and 
these are separated into single crowns. The bed is reset as at 
first, and surplus bulbs may be either used in establishing an¬ 
other new bed, or grown on, if small, until size is attained. For 
display beds it is best to procure new stock each season, as any 
desired quantity of uniform grade may be thus assured. 
THE NATIONAL GARDEN ASSOCIATION 
President: Leonard Barron, F. R. H. S. 
Honorary Pice-Presidents: J. Horace McFarland, Mrs. Francis King, Mrs. Russell Tyson, Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, Mrs. Samuel 
Sloan, Mr. Frederick Newbold, Mr. Robert Pyle, Mrs. John D. Sherman. 
Cooperating Societies: National Plant, Flower and Fruit Guild; American Dahlia Society; American Iris Society; Ontario Horti¬ 
cultural Association; American Forestry Association: Women’s National Farm and Garden Association: Wild Flower Preservation 
Society; National Horticultural Society. 
Il l IS month we take pleasure in welcoming two new 
groups of gardeners whose interests and aims spread 
far beyond their own fence-posts—the National Hor¬ 
ticultural Society and the Wild Flower Preservation 
Society. This steadily growing list of cooperating groups bids 
fair for the future of American gardening in its widest and most 
vital aspects, for the convergence of such varying activities 
and points of view upon a mutual endeavor must inevitably 
furnish not only a valuable medium for the interchange of ideas 
but a powerful lever for concentrated effort and accomplishment. 
Well may America become the garden centre of the world! 
The National Horticultural Society is, as its name indicates, 
countrywide in scope and should prove an increasingly import¬ 
ant factor in the furtherance of horticulture. Local chapters 
are being established wherever there is sufficient enthusiasm 
to warrant them—dues are slight and each member receives 
the National Horticultural Journal; which holds much of interest 
for the horticulturist. The National Garden Association will 
be glad to put any of its own members in touch with the National 
Horticultural Society. 
The work done by the Wild Flower Preservation Society is of 
interest to everyone who has the beauty of the country at heart! 
Its objects are the protection and preservation of our native 
plant life. This is work of supreme importance for there is a 
very direct connection between the vanishing wild [lowers and 
the scarcity of many species of birds and animals as well as the 
disastrous increase of insects. Millions of dollars are spent each 
year in an endeavor (almost vain) to control insect pests and 
the weeds that have taken the place of the wild flowers. 
The automobile has brought the city to the country and there 
seems to be but one purpose of most picnickers—to carry as 
much of the country as possible back to the city! The result 
is trees stripped and torn, plants uprooted, whole fields of 
flowers laid waste. This is so true of every country roadside 
that many states are passing laws to protect what there is left. 
The Wild Flower Preservation Society is actively and earnestly 
behind such legislation. In Pennsylvania, State Forest monu¬ 
ments have been established where it is unlawful to cut, bark, 
break or remove trees and shrubs or to gather any wild flowers 
within these areas. Illinois has passed a law forbidding the 
buying or selling or gathering of certain plants (unless on private 
land where the owner has given his consent). 
State chapters are endeavoring to form a branch in every 
county and their posters and leaflets are at the disposal of any¬ 
one desiring them. The National Garden Association will be 
glad to put our readers in touch with this Society and help them 
to form a branch. 
N OW is the time,” writes the Massachusetts State Conserva¬ 
tion Department, ‘‘to lay plans for the children’s garden 
study! Fortunate is the child who lives in a community where 
gardening is taught in the schools.” To aid every teacher in 
this work, we will gladly send the following bulletins issued for 
boys’ and girls’ gardens: 
The School Garden—stressing the value of school garden work with many help¬ 
ful suggestions 
How Teachers May Use Booklets on Insects of the Home Garden (with sugges¬ 
tions for nature study) 
Diseases and Insects of the Home Garden (fine suggestions for nature study) 
The Club Member’s Home Vegetable Garden 
A GAIN are we glad to add new names to our list of helpful 
l bulletins. Requests have come for such booklets from 
every state in the union—we might almost say from every town. 
And coming back in a steady stream are letters of thanks and 
appreciation, and occasionally word that some desired pamphlet 
has not been received. We would say again with added em¬ 
phasis: If the bulletins requested fail to reach you—please 
notify us as we wish to give the promptest service possible. 
For everyone: 
Insects Injurious to Deciduous Shade Pruning 
Trees Saving Seed for Home Gardens 
Asparagus Culture Common Birds in Relation to Man 
Home Storage of Vegetables How to Atrract the Birds 
For Ontario only. 
Nature Study—Stories in Agriculture 
Currants and Gooseberries 
Birds of Ontario 
For Ohio only: 
About House Plants 
About Roses 
For Utah only: 
Instructions for Garden Clubs 
For Louisiana only: 
Fall Gardens and Planting Table 
