The Washington times., 1905-10-14
PIONEERING BULBS PL HNTED
NOW TO BLOOM IN SPRING

Women who want gardens of bright
colored flowers TO bloom early in the
spring should plant the bulbs of cro-
cuses narcissus, snowdrops, sciilas.
tulips. etc, before October Is TO have
them Towering IN March and April.
These who have little space in which
to plant flowers should first decide upon
the exact dimension, as well as the
shape, Of n bed, whether TO have il
round, pointed like a star. a crescent.
should even be determined how the
bulbs are 10 be put in the ground, II IN
straight lines, circles or clusters. Then
The varieties 10 be used should be care
fully selected 10 make sure that the
coIors will harmonic. and that the
bulbs, whether OF one kind or OF several
species make the bed beautiful when
blooming Solid colors. like red tulip
beds are probably the most effective, or
combination of red and white. Mixed
coiors as rule, are not so artistic, but
some persons prefer red, pink, cardinal,
and white in one group Red and blue
should never be put together in the
same plot.
Keeping Bulbs.
II the ground has not previously been
prepared for planting the bulbs should
Se Immediately removed from the map
pings or boxes and spread on shelves
or in boxes and put IN a cool, dry room.
They should never be kept in a warm
living room or in a damp cellar and
should be planted as soon after they
are bought as is possible. so they VIII
not lose vitality.
an expert lorist says: Begin by spread,
ing the earth deeply Go down the iuli
length ~ fork. etc. and be sure 70
throw the bottom soil up ana lhlo me
center, so that il viii be ON ;op. With
this mix the old fertilizer that mas pre-
yiousiy been placed on The bed TO en-
rich H. Then turn the eartn with
f.rl- frrrrn 1 ny faO
might make an uneven surface ana De
the means OF irregular Towering, be-
cause Of The different degrees OF cry
ness. Enough sand should De ADDED De-
fore the bed is ieveled 20 insure proper
drainage and prevent the bulbs from
rottias hy allowing water TO stand
around them with no chance or being
carried away Then make the sur
face o. the bed level 10y raking down
from the center tiso soil. tnat Should ne
smooth and ape. When he red Is IL
condition plant the bulbs"
To prevent croWGing >whcn planting
anc 70 make the shape ot the bed reSu
lar the distance between each nower
should Dc accurately measured ana
space OF At least SIX inches should be
kept between the bulbs To facilitate
the work Ia planting, Z the blooms are
20 be placed IN lines take piece os
wood abnut three feet ~ lengsh anu
from twD 70 four inches IN wlath anu
csive nails iatO the narrow eose. put
ting them six inches apart, or 81 what
ed. The rails should not be hammersd
through the wood. for thy are 10 DC
used in making the lines or whieh the
flowers are TO D. planted. attach a
round hardIe 10 the center OF the suck
and "A seryiceable marker VII be
completed Draw Il across the bed both
ways and at the Intersections OF all
the flowers are planted at the same
depth. and that. other things being
equal, the bloom shall be the same
height use dibbIe and thus secure
symmetrical bed.
Making Dibbie.
A dibblc can be made from spade
by cutting off the wood five inches be-
low the handle and sharpening the
point. or from 4 piece of wood about
an inch and a quarter in diameter.
Through IL drive nail five inches from
the sharpened end. or the depth IL Is
70 be plunged into the earth. and the
dibble Is ready for use. To use, plunge
II into the ground and press q round
hole. The only objection 10 using this
tool is that occasionally. IL congresses
the soil and leaves a hollow place be-
meath the bulb. which. IL not filed with
sand. may hold wafer and SO injure the
roots
Run the dibble into the earth several