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OCTOBER PLANTING OF SPRING-FLOWERING BULBS
THE OCTOBER PLANTING OF
SPRING-FLOWERING BULBS
FOR THE HOME YARD: BY
ADELINE THAYER THOMSON
ROCUS, daffodils, tulips, narcissus
       -are there any flowers in all the
       world equaling these first messen-
       gers of spring? What a wealth of
cheer they carry; how their courage thrills
our hearts, these brave blossoms that un-
fold their beauties in the very pathway of
winter and laugh at chilling winds and
frowning skies!
  Again and again, after witnessing a
display of these enchanting outdoor flow-
ers, the resolve is made that another season
shall find them blooming within one's own
yard, but for one reason and another the
NARCISSUS -POETICUS."
A CLUMP OF SINGLE YELLOW NARCISSUS.
planting is slighted. Now, October is the
ideal time for bulb planting, that class of
plants which bears the first spring flowers,
and the earlier they are in the ground the
better, for bulbs are not only at their best
at this time but root growth started in the
fall insures the best flowering results in
the spring.
  The culture of spring-flowering bulbs as
a class is exceedingly worth while, for, like
perennials, they winter safely in the open
ground in the coldest climates and per-
petuate themselves for years in ever-in-
creasing attractiveness.
  While there are many exquisite varie-
ties of spring-flowering bulbs, there are a
number of old faithfuls that are especially
useful in the home yard, for they combine
beauty with ease of culture and general
planting satisfaction.
  There are the white snowdrops (Galan-
thus nivalis) that peep from their hiding
places so early in March that often the
snow still lies in huddled patches about the
yard. This variety is unequaled for scat-
tered planting in the lawn, as the bulbs are
ripened before grass-cutting time and are
therefore uninjured. Snowdrops should be
used in massed planting; in no other way
can their true loveliness be known and
appreciated.
  In March, to come suddenly on a host
of gay colored crocus glistening in the sun-
shine, is to know   at once why these
                        THE EARLY JONQUIL.
flowers are so beloved. Crocus are effec-
tive worked in almost anywhere, but to
thrive best they must be planted where
the sun will find them. Bulbs of the
crocus should be divided every third or
                                     9'