A dictionary of modern gardening - University Library

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H Y A 315
" As soon as severe weather com- entering
mences, all the beds are covered over Chron.
about eight inches deep with reeds, so
as to prevent the frost penetrating them
and
HYA
purifying it."
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Card.
Growing in Pots.—The latest and
best directions we have on this point
As soon as the frost is gone, the reeds are the following :— "Give them enough
are taken off, and the beds are coated space to grow in, without starving their
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with a" mixture .-•-- of - cow-dung -- a and water, — roots. The easiest way to do this is to
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to prevent the light sandy soil being have pots made of a deeper shape than
blown away by the wind. those in common use.
" The flowers having opened, and
being in perfection, are all cut off, to
give greater strength to the bulbs
Taking up and Stoi'ing.— " In July,
the bulbs are taken up, and the leaves
being pulled off, they are laid down
regularly, each bulb on the side, so as
to prevent the roots growing again
after this they are covered over with
dry soil, one inch above the bulbs, and
remain in this state for about a fortnight,
to separate the roots and loose
skins easily from the bulbs. Great
care must be taken during this time
that no injury be done to the bulbs by
the sun ; attention should therefore be
paid to keep them well covered over.
When taken from this situation, the
bulbs are exposed for a few hours to
the sun, and kept continually moving
with a large brush, to prevent their
being scorched ; by which means they
get that glossy appearance always observed
in imported bulbs." — Gard.
Chron.
•' After this management the bulbs
" By this simple arrangement the
roots have sufficient nourishment, while
the pots take up no more space on the
stand than at present. An inch or two
of very rotten cow-dung may be put at
the bottom of the pots to promote the
richness of colours and perfume of the
flowers. Three or four bulbs may be
planted in the same pot ; but the latter
should be sufficiently large, and of the
requisite depth ; twice the diameter of
the top is a good proportion.
Fig 92.
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require a few weeks' drying in the
warehouse ; for which purpose they " Lastly, after the bloom is over, put
are laid out on platforms, raised a foot those which are fine varieties, and worth
and a half above each other, which preserving, in some warm and light
enables us to look them over occasion- place; the top shelf of a hot-house,
ally, though this is done principally
that they may have a good circulation
of air between them. The windows
green-house, or vinery, close to the
glass, is the most preferable. There
they will require no more care nor
are opened every day on both sides of watering ; and after the leaves wither,
the warehouse—for the more air and they may be sorted, and lie by until
wind we arc able to give, the better
that they may be dried and be ready to
the planting season returns.
" If these points are attended to hya-
be packed." Gard. Chron.
Frost. — "Frost," says Mr. Home,
" is detrimental only when it comes in
cinths will sufler but little from forcing,
and will flower again the next year."
Gard. Chron.
contact with the bulbs ; tlierefore they
should be -,_ protected ,,. in ... proportion ,— to its
Another equally good authority says
—" Grow three bulbs in each pot— up-
,,„...„.. ..„ ..„ ^ _ - - j
intensity. Those
great value may
who have bulbs of
lay thin planks of
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right pots, at least six inches clear in-
side. After planting, put them in a
wood over the surface when the frost is
very intense ; but care must be taken not
frame properly drained at the bottom,
and slightly protected at the sides, and
to cover them too deep, especially with plunge them in rotten tan, covering the
the leaves of trees, because these co- over them at least four inches. In
verings retain
tan
the vapour which arises very hard weather, a mat to be thrown
over them, otherwise no covering at
from the soil, and hinder the air from |
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