The Greeley tribune., 1910-11-10
FLOWER GROWING IN
WINTER INTERESTING

No appeal should be necessary for
the more extensive planting OF iow-
ering bulbs, for of all the plants used
for the decoration of our houses and
gardens, they are the most beautiful
and the easiest TO grow, perfectly
hardy and free OF insect pests.
IL has been we'll said that "a bulb
is small sealed package from which
is unfolded world OF enjoyment.
Nothing can be more fascinating than
TO watch the transformation OF the
small brown bulbs into the beautiful
Towering plants. bringing brightness
and fragrance into the home during
the long, cold Winter. or springing
up in the garden early in the Spring
almost before the snow has disap-
peared. The extremely low cost and
the ease OF culture make them un-
rivaled to lovers of beautiful flowers.
cannot too strongly recommend
their liberal use. The first bulbs to
bloom are the beautiful snowdrops,
Crocuses and Scillias; then the more
brilliant hyacinths and handsome
Narcissus, which in turn are followed
by the dazzling tulips in myriad
of colors and diversity OF markings
A good assortment will produce
continuous display of gorgeous bloom
from early Spring until SUNNI r.
when the beautiful Lilies, Cannas,
and Gladloli and Dahlias come into
flower.
To the amateur, who is usually
with limited means, and still oitener
limited accommodations, bulbs
should especially appeal. for by the
expenditure OF n few dollars and no
more accommodations than window
Dor or a few pots AFFORD, it is pos
sible TO have bright flowers the whole
winter long.
The following directions are neces- |
sarily brief, but give the most i'm
portant points for general culture: /
Outdoor Planting
Time to plant: The early Spring
towering bulbs, such as HyacinthS, /,
Tulips. Narcissus, Crocus. etc should |
be planted in the early Fall for the /
best results. altogether with our
open Winters later planting will do. !
Soil: Any good, well-drained soil |
will grow bulbs, but 1t should be
we'll spaded and pulverized. II the
soil be heavy clay. mix thoroughly |
with sand and well-rotted COW yard
manure (fresh manure Is injurious)
Raise the center of the beds so that
the water will run OF quickly. Good
drainage is necessary.
Winter protection: In the vicinity
of Greeley, Winter protection is
seldom necessary, but IN case OF Sc
we're weather, cover the beds with
leaves. coarse manure or straw.
Hyacinths ...- "A in. to 8 in.
Narcissus =. ....4 In. to 6 in.
Tulips -. .....3 in. to in.
Crocus and small
bulbs .2 in. 2 in.
Lilies 80. ....5 in. to l2 in.
Iris "A in. TO 4 In.
Lily of the Valley. Sin. to 3 in.
The most effective and SNOWY dis
plays in bulb beds are produced by
selecting such varieties as grow the
same .height and bloom at the same
time. Up-to-date bulb catalogs will
give you this information Another
thing. always buy fully matured.
blooming size stock IL you want
choice flowers. II is folly to plant
small immature bulbs just because
they are cheap.
Indoor Culture Of Bulbs
The growing of bulbs for Winter
Towering has long been source of
profit to florists and a pleasure to
very many others. The gradual de-
velopment OF the Tulips and Hya-
cinths up to their period OF bloom Is
OF much interest and affords more
pleasure. perhaps, for the little
trouble involved than any other class
of plants. One strong point in their
favor Is that they are perfectly free
OF insect that SO commonly fnfest
house plants.
Most OF the bulbs used for Winter
blooming have all been cured before
July first. SO that during September
and the early part OF October they
are in prime condition and should be
potted. After that time the neshy
parts of these bulbs are liable to
dry up and new parts have to be
formed before the roots find sufYi- |
Client substance to start from
Again. it Is true that while the
bulb Is in perfect condition 1t will
root quicker. 1t will make . health |
Ter root, stronger root, and also
a slower root, which is OF Importance
Once the root is formed 1T is easy
to retain the growth OF the plant by |
keeping n cold; but 1t is a wrong
idea that late flowers can be had by
planting bulbs late Tho siza of pots