The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-10-15
fSIUIhs.

Holland a country lying on the shores of the
North sea- in Europe, is continuous fiat sandy
country, SO much so that immense dykes are
constructed all around it in order to prevent
the inroads made by the sea. In this country
are grown what are called Holland bulbs
and IN this particular branch Of industry the
Hollanders monopoliZe the markets of the
world.
When am at loss to determine the proper
soil for any particular plant, l generally search
out its native country, gather some information
in regard to its habits, and then endeavor to
initiate nature as near as possible Hence, as
these Holland bulbs are grown in sand enriched
with rotte1 COW manure, L use that in addition
TO one-third part of ordinary garden soil The
time for planting is from the last of September
until December. All must be secured in the
autumn, however, and kept in cool situation
if not Immediately planted but if shoots appear
plant at once. AS to the proper depth, the
larger bulbs, such Hyacinths, Crown I'm
perials, and Narcissus, should be planted four
inches deep Tulips three or four. Croeuses and
Snowdrops two inches. When all are planted
cover the beds with leaves straw manure to
keep the frost from the bulbs. Early in the
spring remove the covering, and in few weeks
your labor will be repaid by abundant brilliant
fragrant blossoms. When the blooming season
is over and the leaves have turned yellow, take
up the bulbs, cut of the stems to within an
inch of the bulbs Oeavlng the roots on, how
ever; put them in an airy room or attic to dry
for a few weeks, and then store in dry sand un-
til the next fall.
Having thus in general way given directions
how to care for these Holland bulbs, when
planted i'll beds outdoors l will now speak of
a few which are extensively grown in the
homes of hower-lovers during the winter OF
these, to me at least, Hyacnths are the great
ests favortes /; they are so easily grown, adapt
ing themselves to different methods of culture.
either i'll glasses filled with water, in plates or
glassware filled with sand, or in pots of soil ,
80 very fragrant and beautiful that they are
indispensable winter blooming-bulbs. They
come both single and double in many shades
of red, white blue and yellow-named varieties
being always the best-but for most people
few bulbs of separate colors, unnamed, and
therefore less expensive, will give perfect salts
faction. The single varieties are best for house
culture /; they bloom earlier and the flowers
are sweeter than the doubles Two medium
sized bulbs may be grown III four-inch pot.
Allow each bulb to remain one-third above the
surface of the SOIL and the base of il 10 rest on
clean sand. No matter in what manner you
determine on growing bulbs, be sure to put
them away in the dark after putting them TO
grow until roots are formed and Mt least an
inch Of growth has come from the bulb, then
bring to the light. As rule Hyacinth bulbs
potted in October will bloom in January but
says some one, "that is a long time to wait. 4"
les, out you can plant Six or eight DulDs OF
Due Van Thol Tulips in four-inch pot, and, As
they are the earliest of all the Holland bulbs,
besides being neat growers and producing won
drously brilliant flowers, you thus fill in the
time. And then the little Crocus and Snow
drops do 80 well in the house. In former
letters | have told you OF my first flower gard
en- my first propagating bed made from a
candlc-box, and now / will tell you Of my first
bulb garden. Let me see, il was in-well,
really, don't remember just when, but more
than twenty years ago, and l was a wee ladde
then, with the love of flowers born in me, and
II was as strong then as now. l used to do a
good many odd jobs for gardener. who
loaned me his Gardeners Magazine and
other floral literature and remember reading
an offer of so many Crocus and Snowdrops
for shilling BY carrying water and in
other ways, / earned shilling from old
Robert, and how proudly invested in the COW
eted bulbs. In due time they reached me, and
were planted in long, shallow cgar-box, the
Crocus in the middle and the Snow-drops around
the edges. Then they were put in the dark,
but, boy-like and full OF impotence, had to
look at them every day, which, OF course. made
them all the longer to start. At length they
got TO be about an inch above the soil, and
put them in the window, where they bloomed,
to my boyish eyes, most wondrously. II is
many years since then, and have owned and
grown many handsome flowers from bulbs, but