The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1885-10-30
FARM AND HON E.
Hardy FIpwesrng Bulbs.

Hardy spring Towering bulbs may Be Planted
at any time during autumn ill 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 il planted
sooner they are apt to bloom So early in spripg
as to 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 sjnglv
or mixed together, aud most effecsiye comblna-
tions may be designed by planting assorted
colors. Hyacinths, tulips, narcissus and inn
quils 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 bulhs
| should be planted about four inches apart and,
| two inches deep. All these bulbs are hardy
| enough 30 survive cur ordinary winters. espee-
afly when the ground is covered with snow.
yet all that is necessary to pr tect them against
the seFerest cold even, is covering of three or
! fourinches OF forest leaves, held down with
brush or evergreen branches. The latter is for
the neatest and il the branches are placed snug
ly over the beds and arodnd the edges against
the turf, they form real ornament oil winter.
This winter covering should not be applied be-
fore the ground becomes frozen har&, and it
should not be removed in spring until the
green leaves have pushed through the soil.
More valuable still, indispensable almost, fare
these bulbs for the house and window garden.
From the Christmas holidays all through
the weary winter months, they wilis with proper
management, brighten and cheer our homes, so
as to make us forget, in a measure, the cold
and storms without. In growing bulbs for
forcing the first object to secuye is strong,
healthy root growth, and this must be induced
before the elyes are forming. More failures
result from non. observance of this than all 9TH
er causes combined.
Any good, rich potting soil il suitable for
bulbs; equal parts of loan, decomposed COW
manure and sand are faavorite mixture with
florists. Perfect drainage is another important
condition which may easiest be provided by
placing about an inch OF p0tsherds in the hot
tom of the pots before filling with SOIL The
pots should be filled loosely up to the rim, the
bulbs are then pressed in the soil so that the
crown is jnst perceptible above the surface,
then the soil is 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 doors in a pit or cold frame, but
cellar or dark closet may be made to an
swer as 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 a
warmer place, exposed to full light and wa
tered freely. In few weeks the plants will
develop into full bloom and beauty, and by
bringing a few pots to the house every two or
three weeks, continuous bloom may be Sc
cured all winter. Most bulbs may also be
grown success Sfully 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 medium sized bulbs. The num-
Der OF good kinds is now SO great that to make |
selection of the best is not an easy matter, but
fortunately all the leading varieties of COM
merce are so pretty that no one can go far |
wrong by leaving the selection to the dealer. |
What are sold as assOrtei 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
a few hyacinths, tulips and narcssus are with
In the reach of every one, and the good house,
keeper who neglects to add bright, fragrant
flowers to the outfit of the living room, deprives
herself and her family of one OF the most easily |
obtainable, and most efectual means Of making
. cheerful home DR. + NJ Hexamer in Good