cutting for use in small bouquets, and in dainty vases. where quality counts for more than quantity. Put a

dozen bulbs in each six-inch pot. Unlike other bulbs this should not be placed in the dark but kept in the

light from time of potting. After flowering, they should be watered moderately until the foliage ripens. Then allow the soil in the pot to become quite dry, and set the plants away in some quiet place until the following August. Then shake out the old bulbs, and repot them for another season's work. This plant can be depended on for a second season's flowering.

For the sake of variety, one should include Crocus, Jonquils, Alliums, Lachenalias, and, in fact, nearly all bulbs which are found in the catalogs of the florists. They are all charming flowers, and a few of them add vastly to the pleasure which a collection of winter flowering bulbs can afford.

Below will be found a list of such kinds as are best adapted to the requirements of the amateur:

Allium Neapolitanum and Hermetti grandiflorum -Large clusters of starry white flowers. Fine for cutting (Fig 49).

Hyacinth-Romans for early flowering. Dutch for pots and glasses. Always get best named sorts. Ixias Mixed colors.

Jonquils-Single and double. Campernelle, large, and Campernelle rugulosus, a grand variety. All yellow and very fragrant. Specially desirable.

Lachenalia-Fine for hanging baskets. Charming flowers, of peculiar combinations of color. Foliage very pretty.

Lilium-Harrisi, longiflorum and candidum. Lily of the Valley-German-grown pips most desirable and likely to give satisfaction.

Muscari-The "Grape Hyacinth." Feathery flowers in blue and white.

Narcissus-All good. The following are especially recommended: Large Trumpet varietiesTrumpet major, Emperor, Empress, Henry Irving, Princeps, Golden Spur, Horsfieldii, Maximus and Ard

Righ. Peerless or Star varieties-Stella, Sir Watkin, Figaro, Leedsii, Cynosure and Barii conspicuus. Double varieties-Van Sion, Orange Phoenix, Sulphur Phoenix and Incomparable. Polyanthus varietiesPaper White grandiflora, Grand Soleil d'Or, White Pearl, Grand Monarque and Grand Primo.

The Chinese Sacred Lily is a variety of Polyanthus Narcissus, of very easy culture. It is generally grown in bowls or vases of water, with a handful of small stones or pebbles about the bulb to hold it in place, and any of the Polyanthus varieties may be grown in the same way. The Poet's Narcissus, and the Hoop Petticoat varieties ought not to be overlooked. Both are very desirable.

Oxalis-Buttercup, of rich golden yellow, with large clusters of fine flowers borne on long stems above the foliage. A magnificent plant for a hanging basket. One of the finest of all plants, in fact, for this purpose. The rose and white varieties are also fine for hanging pots. Plant three or four bulbs in each pot.

Nerine sarniensis (Guernsey Lily)-A species closely related to Amaryllis, blooming freely in winter. Blossoms a brilliant crimson, seeming to be sprinkled with gold dust. Fine.

Tulip-Single. Duc Van Thol sorts preferable.
Zephyranthes-White and pink.

Astilbe-While not a bulb, this plant may properly be mentioned here, as it is used extensively for winter flowering. Its flowers are white, of an airy, feathery character, and its foliage very pleasing. Strong clumps of roots are furnished, which should. be potted and kept in a cool place until January. A beautiful plant for greenhouse use, but also adapted to cultivation in a cool window.

CHAPTER XXXVI

APPLIANCES FOR THE AMATEUR'S USE

All owners of collections of plants ought to provide themselves with such conveniences as will enable them to take the best possible care of them with the least trouble. There are many useful articles, which can be had for a very reasonable price, which will make work among plants easy and pleasant. They make it possible for us to take much better care of our

plants than we can if we fail to avail ourselves of the help of these conveniences.

Every amateur should own some pruning shears (Fig 50). These will be found useful in window. garden, greenhouse or outdoor garden.

The thermometer ought to occupy a prominent place in every collection, and the owner of the greenhouse or window garden in which it is placed should be governed by its registration as far as possible.

Indestructible labels should be used where there are many plants, for it is a difficult matter to remember the names of many of them, and every person who grows plants wants to know just what they are.