How to Grow Bulbs 
Daffodils and Crocuses may be planted in the garden between the first 
of September and the middle of October, Tulips the latter part of October, 
but should not be delayed too long if best results are desired. Early- 
planted bulbs come up more evenly, earlier, and develop finer flowers than 
those put in later. Hyacinths may be planted any time from September 
to December. 
When grown in beds, Hyacinth and Tulip bulbs should be planted at a 
uniform depth. The easiest way to do this is to remove all soil from the 
bed to the depth required, set Hyacinths 7 inches apart and Tulips 
5 inches, and carefully replace the soil. Many people do not think this is 
worth while; they prefer to plant with a trowel or dibble. Where this 
practice is followed, great care should be taken to see that the base of the 
bulb is pressed firmly into the soil. 
After the ground is frozen to a depth of 4 to 5 inches, it is well to put on 
a cover of straw or leaves. This should be removed rather early in the 
spring. Tulips and Hyacinths should be taken up each year. Let the 
foliage mature, either where they have flowered or in another location. 
After drying, the bulbs should be kept in a cool, dry place. 
Daffodils may remain in the same place for three to four years at a 
time. The clumps may then be taken up and divided for replanting. 
Crocuses give a delightful effect in early spring, but, like Narcissus, 
should not be planted where grass is kept clipped. They are extremely 
desirable in naturalistic plantings, but to obtain good effects it is essential 
that they be used in large quantities; plan to use several thousand in each 
50-foot square of woodland or meadow. 
Lilies demand good drainage. This may be secured by placing a quan¬ 
tity of sand below each bulb, or by mixing peat or humus with the soil. 
The tall varieties should be planted in a location where they receive pro¬ 
tection from high winds; all of them enjoy partial shade. 
Culture Indoors. —Paper-White Narcissus and the Chinese Sacred 
Lilies are the easiest to grow. A bowl of pebbles and water is the “garden.” 
Hyacinths likewise present little difficulty. Place each bulb in a glass so 
that the base barely touches the water, and leave them in a cool, dark 
place until the roots develop. They may then be brought into the light, 
and will produce just as fine flowers as if they were grown in pots or out¬ 
doors. Start the bulbs any time between September and January; for 
succession of bloom bring them into the light at intervals of several weeks. 
Quantity of Bulbs 
Necessary for 
Round Beds 
Diameter 
Distance 
4 in. 
apart 
o in. 
3 ft. 
.... 95 
37 
4 ft. 
.. ..127 
61 
5 ft. 
....225 
81 
6 ft. 
....271 
127 
7 ft. 
.. ..410 
169 
8 ft. 
....469 
225 
9 ft. 
....650 
271 
10 ft. 
....721 
331 
