Decorah-posten., 1898-10-21
Hardy Bulbs for Farmers
Wives.
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Before our bulbs arrive we must
prepare our beds to receive them
as II is quite necessary that some
varieties be planted Immediately
as they arc injured by remaining
fong ont of the soil.
The preparation OF the beds in
tended for hardy bulbs is a very
important item in growing them
successfully, If the soil is very
heavy an especial effort must be
made so that the water will drain
away from the bulbs. After we
have marked out the form and size
OF our beds we will remove the soil
TO a depth of eighteen inches or
two feet, and after mellowing well
the bottom OF the pit thus formed,
MI in with good, rich, loose soil,
mixed with manure. to within one
loot of the top. Above the en-
riched soil place four or five inches
of garden soil, leaf mold, or chip
dirt, set the bulbs and cover with
the same.
Fresh manure must not be used
around bulbs. nor must il come in
direct contact with them, no matter
how we'll decaved. for it will cause
them TO decay. Manure is very
beneficial il put below the bulbs so
that the long white roots may revel
in It's richness as they reach down
ward in search OF food.
Many cultivators of hardy bulbs
advise putting a layer or handful
OF sand SO as to set the base OF the
bulbs in it, but if plenty OF leaf mold
or chip dirt be used il is not neces
sary. as either OF these soils are so
porous that no water collects about
the bulbs. If the bed is made en-
tirely OF either, or both, OF these
soils no manure will be needed, as
they are very rich in fertilizing ele-
ments.
Our bulbs have now arrived,
and we will set them as we planned
when we made the beds. OF curse
we each have a choice OF arrange
ment. One lady thought a ribbon
bed most 10 her liking one decided
upon having a bed for each variety
as she had ordered in large quanti-
ties and could have help in caring
for them; another said she in
tended TO set her bulbs in clusters
OF threeS, hves and sevens; this
plan was adopted by another only
with this difference The first set
hers each color BY itself, while the
second lady set hers of contrasting
colors. One little woman had set
her heart on round beds with Dor
ders, and ] told her OF the border
OF a circular bed one OF my neigh
bors owned at my old home. This
border was mixed Crocus and
pretty blue Scilla Siberica alterna-
ted. They blossomed at the same
time and the effect was very beau
tiful. The bright blue OF the Scilla
contrasted so prettily with the
white, striped and yellow Crocus.
The arrangement of the bulbs in
the beds is simply a matter of taste.
Each must suit her inclinations in
the matter. If mixed collections
are purchased they, of course, can
not be arranged according to
color, but can be marked at bloom
ing and be reset in the fall.
We that have but little money
to spend on plants will not regret
it if we purchase bulbs with part,
and the largest part, too. They are
so lasting, require so little care, and
give such satisfactory results. A
very nice way, especially if you are
beginning a bulb bed, is to send
to some responsible florist for
bulbs for outdoor planting, en-
closing the amount you choose to
send, leaving the choice with him.
By so doing you will get a fine COL
lection, much more for your money
than you could possibly get if you
choose named varieties, and, after
blooming, you can add TO them
such as you especially desire.
Nettie Williams, Mich.
Growing Amaryllis.