In February they had a bulb exhibit and their display was really fine. In the spring they all felt that the outdoor work, too, had paid. The beds were uncovered as early as possible. The outdoor bulb will stand considerable cold, even after it is well up. Cut worms may trouble the hyacinths; if so try the paper collar treatment.
Finally remember then three things about bulbs: good bulbs, good drainage, plenty of time in the dark.
After bulbs are through blooming let the blossom dry thoroughly and the leaves get yellow and dry. One need not keep these homely looking plants in the living room in plain sight. Put them away down cellar to finish drying out. Then cut the leaves and blossoms off to one inch of the bulb itself. Take bulb out of pot, shake all dirt off, and dry thoroughly. These may be put into paper bags and hung up in a dry place or just packed in a pasteboard box. These indoor bulbs may be planted outdoors in the fall. They will do better for the change. Indoor bulb culture means forcing, a hard strain and demand on a bulb. Outdoor planting gives a long winter's rest, not entire rest, to be sure, but the growth during the winter is slow.
LIST OF BULBS BY COLOURS
| WHITE FLOWERS | |||||
| NAME | DEPTH TO PLANT | OUTDOOR BLOOM | INDOOR BLOOM | HEIGHT | SPECIAL POINTS |
| Snowdrop | 2 in. | March | Christmas | 3-4 in. | Earliest of spring flowers. Likes cool and shady spots |
| Crocus | 2 in. | March | Christmas | 3-5 in. | Buy Crocus biflorus. var. argenteus |
| White crowned daffodils | 3-4 in. | April | January | 10 in. | Increases very rapidly |
| Poet's narcissus | 3-4 in. | May | January | 12 in. | Excellent for outdoor work |
| Grape hyacinth | 3 in. | March | January | 4-6 in. | Plant in shady places in the lawn |
| Bell-flowered scilla | 3 in. | May | Christmas | 12 in. | Poet's narcissus and this scilla planted together bloom at same time |
| Star of Bethlehem | 3 in. | May | 12 in. | Most satisfactory for bloom | |
| Tulips | 4 in. | April | January | 6-12 in. | Try Duc Van Thol and d'Immaculée |
| Hyacinths | 5 in. | April | January | 6-12 in. | Plant Baroness Van Thuyl, very large and very early |
| YELLOW FLOWERS | |||||
| NAME | DEPTH TO PLANT | OUTDOOR BLOOM | INDOOR BLOOM | HEIGHT | SPECIAL POINTS |
| Crocus | 2-3 in. | March | Christmas | 3-5 in. | Plant Cloth of Gold |
| Trumpet daffodils | 4 in. | April | January | 15 in. | Van Sion is especially satisfactory. Flowers double |
| Jonquil | 4 in. | April | January | 12 in. | Flowers sweetly fragrant |
| Daffodil | 3 in. | April | January | 4 in. | Variety Narcissus Bulbocodium |
| Tulips | 4 in. | April | January | 12 in. | Due Van Thol, yellow |
| Hyacinths | 5 in. | April | January | 12 in. | Choose from those called bedding varieties |
| BLUE FLOWERS | |||||
| NAME | DEPTH TO PLANT | OUTDOOR BLOOM | INDOOR BLOOM | HEIGHT | SPECIAL POINTS |
| Common crocus | 2-3 in. | March | Christmas | 5 in. | Good for lawn effects |
| Grape Hyacinths | 2-3 in. | April | January | 15 in. | Good for pot culture |
| Iris (Spanish) | 4 in. | May | January | 12-24 in. | Plant in groups for garden effect |
| Iris (English) | 3 in. | June | January | 12-24 in. | If planted outdoors in September, cover well with leaves |
| Bulb-flowered scilla | 2-3 in. | May | January | 12 in. | Satisfactory for bloom |
| Hyacinths | 5 in. | May | January | 12 in. | King of the Blues |
| RED FLOWERS | |||||
| NAME | DEPTH TO PLANT | OUTDOOR BLOOM | INDOOR BLOOM | HEIGHT | SPECIAL POINTS |
| Peony | 4 in. | May | 2-2½ ft. | Plant outdoors in September. Increases and lives a long time | |
| Late peony | 6 in. | July | 3 ft. | Showy and attractive | |
| Red speciosum lily | 6-8 in. | August | 3 ft. | Protect through the winter, leaving bulbs in the ground | |
| Tulips | 4 | April | January | 6-18 in. | Isabelle Choose variety |
XVII
THE GIRLS' WINTER WORK.
"We want some plants at school this winter, and we each should like some plants of our own at home." This remark greeted The Chief one day in late September as he entered his home after a long tramp in the woods.