The Indianapolis journal., 1885-11-10
Hardy Fiowering Bulbs.
Good Housek eeping.

/ Good HOuSeh eeplng.
| Hardy spring towering bulbs may be planted
| at any time during autumn till the ground
| freezes, but all points considered the month Of
October is the most favorable season. as then the
bulbs have sufficient time to form strong roots
before winter sets in, while if planted sooner
they are apt to bloom so early in spring &c
become injured by frosts. To produce the most
pleasing effect, bulbs, especially those of the
smaller kinds should be planted in clumps or
groups by themselves, never sinely or mixed
together and most effective combinations may
be designed by planting assorted colors Hya-
cinths. tulips, narcissus and jonqulls should be
| planted about eight inches apart each way, and
| three to four inches deep, and, in very sandy
| soil, somewhat deeper, even Crocus, scilas,
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 nee
essary to protect them against the severest cold.
| even, is covering of three or four inches of
forest leaves, held down with brush or ever
green branches The latter is far the neatest,
and if the branches are placed snugly over the
beds and around the edges against the turf,
they form real ornament all winter. This
winter 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 valube STILL indispensable almost. are
these bulbs for the house and window garden.
weary winter months they will, with proper
management brighten and cheer our homes, SO
as to make US forget in measure, the cold and
storms and without In growing bulbs for fore
ing, the first object to secure IS strong, healthy
root growth, and this must be induced befora
the leaves are forming. More failures result
from non-observance of this than from all other
causes combined.
Any good, rich pottng soil is suitable for
bulbs; equal parts of loan. decomposed cow ma
and sand a favorta mi with
lists. Perfect drainage is another important
condition. which may easiest be provided by
placing about an inch of potsherds in the bottom
of the pots before filing with soil. The potT
should be filled loosely up to the rim, the bulbf
are then pressed in the soil so that the crown is
just perceptible above the surface, then the soil
is pressed firmly '"rnd the bulb. After water.
ing freely, the nave to be placed in dark,
cool position, vered with few inches Of
sand and leave Ois is best done outdoors in
pit or cold f. :, but cellar or dark closet
may be made TO answer well. Here they
should remain about two months, examining
them occasionally, and giving water when too
dry. The soil should be kept moderately moist
only, not wet After the pots have become
well filled with roots, they may, at any time
be removed to warmer place, exposed te
full light, and watered freely. In few
weeks the plants will develop into full bloom and
beauty. and by bringing few pots to the house
every two or three weeks, a continuous bloom
may be secured all winter Most bulbs may also
be grown successfully In water, or moss, but
whichever method is adopted, forcing should
never be commenced before an abundance Of
roots have formed.
When selecting bulbs it should be observed
that it is not always the largest
that are the best; some of the very
choicest varieties have only small or
mediumsized bulbs. The number of good kinds
is now so great that to make selection of tha
best is not an easy matter, but fortunately all
the leading varieties of commerce pretty
that no one can go far wrong by leaving the Sc
lection to the dealer. What are sold as assorted
collections contain, generally, some of the most
desirable varieties, and are sure to give perfect
satisfaction to all but. perhaps, the experienced
specialist. But whatever the limit of the readers
purse may be, few hyacinths tulips and mar
sissus are within the reach of every one, and the
good housekeeper who negects to add bright
fragrant flowers to the outfit of the living rooms
deprives herself and her family of one of the
most easily obtalnable and most effectual means
of making cheerful home.