HOUSE AND GARDEN 
December, 1910 
Paper white narcissus, in a 
glass, came into flower in 
less than forty days 
a hyacinth glass 
on October 16th. 
This also is a 
slow grower, but 
makes up for it 
with many good 
qualities. It re¬ 
quired ten weeks 
for the roots to 
reach the bottom 
of the glass, when 
it was brought to 
the light, and six 
weeks more to 
produce the first 
flower. The 
blooming season 
extended to the 
first week in 
March. The pho¬ 
tograph indicates 
the size and sub¬ 
stance of the flowers, but gives no idea of the rich yellow color. 
These compared favorably with earth-grown bulbs of the same 
kind. The flowers could have been no more nearly perfect if 
raised under any other conditions. 
The crocus bulbs flowered from the second week in February 
to the third week in March. These were started the middle of 
October, but were kept in the dark only twenty-five days, as the 
roots made good growth in that time and the bulbs showed a 
tendency to mould. Three months of sunshine brought them to 
the flowering stage, but they repaid the waiting with their variety 
of color and their succession of bloom. 
A single bulb of paper white narcissus was started in a hya¬ 
cinth glass, on October 16th, as was also a double Roman narcis¬ 
sus. These two varieties make so quick a growth that three weeks 
was sufficient for them to form good roots, and they were brought 
up to the light on November 6th. Both kinds were in full flower 
early in January." Paper white has made much 
better records than this. It is a popular sort for 
quick results and its pure white flowers are very 
sweet. The double Roman variety flowers in 
clusters, likewise, but is double; the colors are 
yellow and white. 
The remarkable Chinese sacred lily also had 
a place in our water-garden. Any bulb that does 
not require to be kept in the dark, that comes 
into bloom in forty days, or less, that in some 
cases bears as many as nine stalks to the bulb, 
and sometimes as many as twelve flowers to the 
stalk, that is sweet scented and continues in 
bloom for from two weeks to a month, is cer¬ 
tainly a desirable addition to the water-garden. 
Authorities differ as to the best treatment for the 
Chinese lily; even those who have studied the 
plant in China, or have received their instruc¬ 
tions from some Chinaman, do not agree in the 
methods recommended. Very satisfactory re¬ 
sults have been obtained by following the treat¬ 
ment described below. After removing all the 
dry brown skin and the dead roots, set the bulbs 
in a bed of pebbles or shells, in a dish that is four 
inches or more deep. A cupful of sand will help 
to steady the bulb. Fill the dish with water, 
leaving half, or more, of the bulb above the sur¬ 
face. Although these lilies are sometimes set in 
a dark place, for a few days, to make roots, it 
is 
to 
not necessary 
do this. Full 
A Von Sion narcissus bulb 
required ten weeks to de¬ 
velop root-growth 
The Chinese sacred lily does 
not require starting in the 
dark like most bulbs 
Single bulbs may be grown in 
a hyacinth glass. Keep them 
in the dark until the root- 
growth is formed 
sunlight does not 
seem essential, 
for they often do 
as well, or better, 
when kept in a 
light place, out of 
the direct sun¬ 
light ; a room that 
is too hot is al- 
most sure to 
blight the buds. 
In replacing the 
water it is better 
to flood it than to 
disturb the roots 
by tipping the 
dish. Before 
handling these 
bulbs all grease 
should be re¬ 
moved from hands and utensils. The jonquil mentioned in the 
list is sometimes called the yellow or golden Chinese lily. There 
is also a double white sort. Bulbs differ greatly in the number 
of flowers they produce. Sixty blossoms open at once would be 
considered a good display. 
In selecting hyacinths for the water-garden it is well to re¬ 
member that the single Dutch sorts produce finer spikes and are 
generally more reliable than the double ones for the purpose. 
The Norma, a pale pink variety, proved several seasons to be a 
satisfactory water plant. Roman hyacinths were started in a 
dish of stones and water and, seven weeks later, were in bloom. 
A single bulb started at the same time in a hyacinth glass was a 
little slower. Roman hyacinths are among the best to choose for 
early flowering. One, started September 12th, sent out roots that 
touched the bottom of the glass in a month and was in full bloom 
by the first week of November. 
All of the quick-growing bulbs make excel¬ 
lent decorations for the holidays. A little calcu¬ 
lation, based on the dates given, will enable the 
beginner to start his bulbs for bloom at the proper 
time. Three of our Chinese lilies started early 
in October, November and December respect¬ 
ively, produced their first flowers in thirty-eight, 
forty and thirty-nine days, and each continued 
in bloom from thirteen to eighteen days. The 
prices of those mentioned on the list were as 
follows: 
Chinese lily, $1.40 per dozen 
Paper white narcissus, .40 “ “ 
Von Sion, 
Trumpet Major,"] 
^ t>u • Snarcissus, 
Orange Phoenix, j 
Double Roman narcissus, 
Poeticus narcissus, 
Roman hyacinths, 
Single hyacinth (Dutch), .12 each 
Since bulbs can develop only the flowers 
which were formed within them before they were 
ripened, it is false economy to buy any but those 
of large size. A hyacinth bulb, for instance, 
should measure from eight to ten inches in cir¬ 
cumference ; a first-size crocus bulb, four inches 
— such bulbs producing from six to twelve flow¬ 
ers each, while a small, cheap bulb requires just 
as much room and care to produce two or three. 
each, .35 
•30 
•25 
.80 
.12 
