The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-11-11
ALL AROUND THE HOUSE.
Hardy Towering ii'ulbs.--A Good Dish TOR
Two-Year Baby.-Recipes
and Suggestions.

Good Housekeeping gives the following
directions for planting bulbs: Hardy
spring-Gower bulbs may be planted at any
time during autumn till the ground freezes,
but all points considered, the month OF 0c-
tober is the most favorable season, as then
the bulbs have sufficient time to form strong
roots before winter sets in, while il planted
sooner they are apt to bloom so early in
spring as 20 become injured by. frosts. To
produce the most pleasing effect, bulbs,
especially those OF the smaller kinds, should
be placed in clumps or groupes by them
selves, never singly or mixed together, and
most effective combinations may be designed
by planting assorted colors. Hyacinths.
Tulips, Nagcissus and Jonquils should be
planted about eight inches apart each way
and three to four inches deep, and, in very
sandy soil, somewhat deeper even. Crocus,
Scillas, Snowdrops and similar bulbs should
be planted about four inches apart and two
inches deep. All these bulbs are hardy
enough to survive our ordinary winters,
especially when the ground is covered with
snow, yet all that is necessary to protect
them against the seyerest cold even, is a COW
ering of three or tour inches Of forest leaves
held down with brush or evergreen branches.
The latter is far the neatest and il the
branches are placed snugly over the beds
and around the edges against the turf. they
form real ornament all winter. This win
ter covering ShOuld not be applied before
the ground becomes frozen hard, and it
should not be removed in spring until the
green leaves have pushed through the soil.
More valuable still, indispensable almost
ar.nF f.flli for mud win 10
| garden. From the Christmas holidays all
| through the weary winter months they viii,
| with proper management, brighten and
cheer our homes, so as TO make us forget, in
l a measure, the cold and storms without. In
growing bulbs for forcing, the first object to
| secure is strong, healthy root growth, and
| this must be induced before the leaves are
! forming. More failures result from nom
| observance Of this than from all other causes
combined.
Any good. rich pOtting soil is suitable for
| bulbs; equal parts OF loan, decomposed COW
| manure, and sand favOrite mixture
| with florists. Perfect drainage is another
| important condition, which may easiest be
| provided hy placing about an inch of pots
| herds in the bottom of the pots before filling
| with soil. The pots should he filled loosely
| up 10 the rim, the bulbs are then pressed in
above se vet the ne surface ' soil !. pressed
| firmly around the bulb. After watering
| freely, the pots have to be placed in dark
| cool position and covered with few inches
| of sand and leaves. This is best done out
I doors in pit or cold frame, but cellar or
| dark closet may be made to answer as well.
| Here they should remain about two months,
| examining them occasionally, and giving
water when too dry. The soil should he
| kept moderately moist only, not
| wet After the pots have be-
| come well filled with roots, they may at any
\ time, be removed to a warmer place eX-
| posed TO full light, and watered freely In o
| few weeks the plants will develop into full
bloom and beauty, and by bringing few
| pots to the house every two or three weeks,
continuous bloom may be secured all
winter. Most bulbs may also be grown sue
cessfully in water, or moss, but whichever
| method is adopted, forcing should never be
| commenced before an abundance OF roots
| have formed.
When selecting bulbs il should be observed
that ii is not always the largest that are the
best some OF the very choicest varieties
| have only small or medium-sizcd bulbs.
l The number OF good kinds is row so great
| that TO make a selection OF the best Is not an
easy matter, but fortunately all the leading
. varieties Of commerce are SO pretty That no
one can go far wrong by leaving the selection
! 10 the dealer. What are sold as assorted coll
lections contain. generally, some 81 the most