No garden can afford to be with- 
out the artistic touch of these 
charming little flowers. To thous- 
ands of people,. the coming of the 
Crocus is the surest sign of spring. 
First flowers of spring! How welcome they are, to 
awaken the garden from its long winter sleep. While 
everybody loves Crocus, many more gardeners should be- 
come better acquainted with the delightful appeal of the 
Snowdrop, Scilla, Chionodoxa, Grape Hyacinths, Blue Bells. 
The little white Snowdrops come even earlier than 
the Crocus and the blue Scilla follow immediately, along 
with the Chionodoxa. In daffodil time come the Grape 
Hyacinths. 
All these Minor Bulbs should be planted in early fall 
where they can continue to flourish and bloom for years to 
_ come. They may be planted 3 to 4 in. deep, either in sun or a 
little shade, under trees or at the base of shrubbery. They 
are beautiful in informal groupings, almost anywhere in 
the garden, particularly along a walk or in the rock garden. 
Crocus are used in many ways, as a formal note in front 
of the border and also in informal clumps, large or small. 
For a ‘‘carpet of color’’ in early spring, scatter crocus bulbs 
on the lawn, especially under trees, using either mixed or 
separate colors. Then cut through the sod with a trowel and 
plant the bulbs where they fall, about 3 in. deep. Do not 
mow the grass next spring till about three or four weeks 
after flowering, to allow the foliage to die down so the 
bulbs can bloom again the next year. 
