108 
THE FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
About the beginning of April the beds will require shading, 
especially those containing the fine and rare sorts; for these 
being more delicate, will be more liable to become injured by 
the rays of the sun, particularly the red and deep blue-coloured 
ones. This may be done by means of mats and hoops, or an 
awning of canvas, which may be rolled up or let down at 
pleasure: the latter will also protect them from heavy rains, 
and will be by far the neatest in appearance. 
Taking up the Bulbs. As soon as the bulbs have done 
flowering, they may be carefully taken up, the roots and leaves 
being injured as little as possible; and they may be carefully 
potted in drift sand, or any other sandy soil (the pots com¬ 
monly used are cylindrical or bulb pots), and when that is 
completed, take them to the greenhouse, or any convenient 
place where they may be shaded for a few days, and afterwards 
have free exposure to light and air: a back shelf of a green¬ 
house facing the north is the most appropriate for them; for if 
placed in a sunny situation, they would dry olf too hastily and 
become injured, should they be in a growing state at the time 
of taking up. It is requisite to give them a good watering as 
soon as they are potted, removing them directly to their station, 
and in this state they are to remain until the season of planting 
again arrives, when they must be taken from their resting-place, 
and carefully examined and cleaned; they will then be fit for 
re-planting. 
Previous to planting the bed the second year, take out the 
bottom spit and replace it with some new compost, mixing the 
old and new together from the bottom; then plant as before 
recommended, covering the bulbs with the fresh compost. 
Under this treatment I have seen them growing vigorously, 
and blooming in great profusion, for seven'or eight successive 
years, in England. 
In preparing the compost already alluded to, take the top 
spit of light sandy loam, ten or twelve inches deep from a pas¬ 
ture field; with about one part of this, add one part of drift, or 
sea, or any sharp sand, that is not contaminated with iron, and 
the same quantity of w r ell-rotted cow-dung, which has been 
fully exposed to the sun and air, for at least two or more years; 
the lack of cow-dung may be supplied with leaf mould: the 
whole should be mixed in a heap, in a dry sunny exposure, 
and be there suffered to lie several months, or even a whole 
