Decorah-posten., 1898-09-23
Hardy or Holland Bulbs.

Hardy, oil Holland bulbs, ar,
most d~eservedly popular. In thc
flower garden they have wrestec
two months of each year from
winters stern grasp. Before the
last snowdrift has melted. the
Snowdrop. Scills and Crocu.
appear, close followed by a score
OF others that have made the name
Spring Flowers synonymous
with beauty and fragrance. In.
doors they have won equal
triumph. The place of honor once
held by the tender Geranium and
Begonia, belongs now TO the Hardy
Bulbs, that, while enduring the
most hardships and extremes, arc
at the same time the most beauti-
ful, fragrant, and the most certain
to bloom.
Their culture is very simple.
They can be ported during
September, October or November,
watered well and set away in a
cellar or any cold dark place TO
make roots, when, after remaining
four or SIX weeks, or as much
longer as desired, they can be
brought out for blooming. We
earnestly advise botting the bulbs
as early as possible, especially If
flowers are desired as early as
New Years, for the longer time
they have to make roots the better
they will bloom. BY bringing out
a few pots at different times a
succession of bloom can be kept
up all winter. II they are kept in
a cool place while in bloom, the
flowers will keep perfect a long
time. For the benefit OF those
who desire more explicit cultural
directions we give it here in
detail:
SoIL-The variety of soil is not
a very important item in bulb
culture. Any good garden loan
will answer, but if we had a variety
10 choose from, we would take a
rich sandy soil and mix it with a
small quantity of leaf-mold. Do
not use manure unless it is very
old and well pulverized, and then
only in small quantities, or il may
cause the bulbs to decay, or in
courage too rank a growth of
foliage.
PIONEERING BULBS In WATER
Some people flower Hyacinths
and other bulbs in glasses of water,
and while they look pretty grow
ing in this way, we cannot recon-
mend it, for, with the exception
of the Chinese Sacred Lily, the
flowers will be greatly inferior to
those grown in soil.
Time TO PLANT-Bulbs can be
planted from September to Deem
Der, and some kinds even later,
but the earlier the better will be
the result, especially if desired
for early blooming. Plant in
September or October if possible.
PLANT1Ne-In planting, set the
just below the surface of the
soil, so hat they will be entirely
covered. Set the bulbs down in
the soil and cover them; do not
press them in by force, for this
packs the soil under them, and
when the roots start they are apt
to lift the bulb.
AFTER PLASrTNG-They should
be well watered and set away in
some cool, dark place TO make
root cellar is best, for it is
desirable that they should be
kept moist and as cool as possible,
hence a warm, dry place is not a
good one. Water them from time
10 time as the soil becomes dry.
They should remain in this posi-
ton at least four weeks, and as
much longer as possible, it being
Desirable that they should have
good roots before bringing them
put to bloom. They should, how
ever, be brought out when vigorous
.op growth sets in.
Culture for Winter Blooming.
Bulbs are the most important
bloomers for window cul-
.ure. They are the easiest cared
.or at all flowers, and absolutely
sure to bloom abundantly. Gerani-
inns or Roses may, from some
:ause, fail, but bulbs never.
is more pleasant or cheer
.ul during a dreary winter than a
ew pots filled with Hyacinths,
Tulips. Crocus, Narcissus, etc.
their brilliant colors
md emitting their delightful
for weeks. Add to these
he many new bulbs which are
low being cultivated for winter
and at avery little trouble
expence a display of winter
lowers can be produced which
will be the center of attraction in
my neighborhood. Freesias,
.xias, Triteleia, Albums, Scillas,
-hionodoxa, etc, are compar-
new, and beautiful beyond
description.
Ito be coutiuned.D
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