The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-11-04
TUIIP BULBS SHOULD BE
 PLANTED IN LATTE FALL

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 Washington, Nov. 4--Tulip bulbs that are expected to brighten the lawn in the early spring must ba planted in the late fall after heavy froats or light freezes have checked vegetation. On the, fortieth parallel they should be planted about the first week in November, and farther south a little later. These plants are parts of the United States where the weather is cold enough to freeze the soil for a few weeks in the winter and they should be planted about a month before the ground is liable to freeze up. Other .iE7plland bl1lbss' such as the hyacinth and narcissus should be planted at the same time as
 The Ul 8. Department of AgricII- tureis specialist considers that tulips are most appropriRtely planted among shrubbery where they may be natur- alized or where they may remain per- manently. La general they are used to advantage in formal beds ors in borders on the lawn
 The best soil for the tulip is a | light Ioamy so1L The soil should be well drained and sand is better than clay. In clay soils 1t is desirable to set the buIhs on q layer of sand, to
 
 soils the sand should completely sur- round them They do best in a rich soil but manure should not come in contact with the bulbs. It a best applied to a previous crop: When fertil ization is necessary at the time of planting, weII-rotted manure com post should bs used The soil should be put in excellent condittons
 Tulips shouid. be set four inches deep while hyacinths and narc4esi should he set six inches, In all cases measuring to the bottom Of the bulbs. Care should be taken to have the bulbs of any variety of 2 uniform size and to set them at a uniform depth as on this depends uniformity in time Of blooming.
 As soon as the surface of the ground freezes to a depth of two or three in- ches, the bed should be covered with coarse manure to prevent alternate freezing and thawing and also to prevent freezing below the bottom of the bulbs and so prevent the forma- ton of roots during the winter As soon as freezing weather is over. in the spring the muich should be re- moved, at least the coarser part of It.
 After blooming, the naturalized pIantings need no further attention esHary, which in the case of tulips would be in about three years, and of the other bulbs about five. Bedded bulbs should be left as long as pos- stbie before digging so as to ripen them They are ready when the foli- age begins to die. If necessary to dig before ripe they will deterderate more rapidly than if well ripened. After digging, dry in the sun until the tops are well cured, take of all the leaves, store on shallow trays, where mice and rats will not trouble, till the fol4S lowing autumn.
 Bulbs May Be Raised Indoors. E Not only are tulips and other bul- bous plants attractive around the lawn in early spring but they are also most satisfactory for indoor culture during the winter. They should be used in separate pots rather than in window boxes Holland bulbs, such as the narcissus, tulip and hyacinth. are practically the only plants that will flower satisfactorily in the house with ordinary cars About the only plant giving similar satisfaction is the begonia, according to the Dpeartuent of AgFfcultures specialist who has experimented with many varieties.
 Tahe essentials for growing bulbs in doors are that they shall become thoroughly rooted before the tops are permitted to grow. This Is done by planting the bulbs in soil either in pots or what florists know as .spans,
  in boxes. These bulbs are then put In cool place in the dark, for pe-s riod of two to six or eight weeks, or even longer if desired. They should be left there until the roots are well started. In the case of bulbs plant cd in pots, the pots may be inverted and gently tapped. when the bulb and soil will come out in a mass. When the bulbs have been sufficiently long in the pots. the earth in the bottom of the pot will be completely covered with rootIets. The bulbs should then be brought into a slightly warmer place with some light for three or four days and then gradually brought into greater warmth and full light. During all the period of growth the ground should be kept moist without being watersoaked. Narcissi take about five weeks to 1 develop from the time they are | brought into full light. yacinths take a longer time and tulips about the same time as hyacinths. The Roman hyacinths come in a little less time, while the paper-white narcissus only takes about four weeks. It is hard to hold the paper-waite parcis- sus for late winter. The hyacinths