in decayed leafmold, old farmyard manure or other compost and thor- 
oughly break the soil as the work progresses. They should be planted in 
October-November, 4-6 inches apart, 5-6 inches deep. In colder regions 
it is wise to mulch after the soil has become frozen. 
When the leaves show signs of yellowing in early June, these hardy 
bulbs may be lifted. They should be stored in a cool, airy place until 
planting time comes round. Hyacinths may be planted in irregular fashion 
under old fruit trees where they may be left year after year, to be renewed 
from time to time with fresh bulbs. 
eer Balbo Ne 
Snowdrops are the first spring flowers in many of North America’s tem- 
perate region gardens. In normal seasons they put in an appearance 
about the first of March. The common snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) is 
well known to some gardeners. There is also a double-flowered variety. 
Snowdrops should be planted as soon as bulbs are procurable in early 
fall. Find a place for them near hemlock or yew or, in fact, wherever they 
are not likely to be disturbed for years. Plant about three inches deep. 
The words Crocus and Spring are to many gardeners synonymous. Some 
of the species such as Sieberi, Susianus and Tomasinianus are recom- 
mended to the gardener, as well as such favorites as chrysanthus Moon- 
light; Snow Bunting; Large Warley White; E. A. Bowles, soft yellow; vernus 
Vanguard; and Tomasinianus Whitewell Purple. Plant also the common 
Dutch garden crocuses in their various shades of yellow, purple and white 
in the fall, in small groups in your garden or they may be naturalized in 
quantity on banks and by paths or driveways. Plant three inches deep. 
They will give you spring beauty for many years. 
The scillas, squills or bulbous bluebells are universal favorites. Scilla 
sibirica and the improved Spring Beauty are Prussian blue and in early 
April can paint the landscape with color. They are charming with such 
yellow flowering shrubs as forsythia or corylopsis, and seed freely where 
not disturbed. Scillas should be planted three inches deep. 
The English bluebell, reaching to about one foot, flowers in May and is 
effective with tulips or in drifts in light woodlands. There are also pink 
and white flowered varieties available. Scilla campanulata is similar in 
every way except that it grows much taller — to twenty inches — and 
the leaves are wider. It does well in warm climates; both should be planted 
about four inches deep. 

