PLANT BULBS NOW

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 78, 15 March 1935, Page 10

PLANT BULBS NOW

Bullis contribute some ol the most beaut.'iul blooms to the great kingdom ot flowering plants, and are deserving ol a great deal more attention than is at piesent bestowed upon them. Their beauty is unparalleled, their cultivation simple. Many varieties are admirably suited to outside bedding and border work, while quite a number adapt themselves to indoor cultivation. Others may be planted in lawns, on grassy slopes or banks, beneath the shade ot trees, by running streams, or in various other cool and uniting parts ot the garden, where their colour and beauty may be displayed and appieciated to the best advantage. There are certain bulbs platitable every month in the year, but usually February to April is regarded as the best time for a general planting. Entire shade is to be avoided when selecting a site tor their culture. They succeed best m a sunny, or partially sunny, well drained situation. Light soils arc always mme satisfactory lor their successful culture. Should your ground be inclined to be heavy it ,-hould tie broken down with sand or wood ashes. Still, hard ground will never produce good blooms. Good drainage is another important lactor. Well-worked and sun-sweetened sod will produce the finest Howers. Avoid fresh manure, in fact, many bulbs are better without it at all. However, for general purposes a little well-rotted stable or cow manure is advisable. Care should be taken that it docs not conic into direct contact with the bulbs, but dug in well below. The land should, alter the application ot the manure, be thoroughly worked, well broken up, and the surface made fine and level. Many amateurs make a mistake in regard to the correct depth to plant. A good plan to follow is to insert each bulb twice its own depth below the surface of the soil