CIIRLSTMAS BLOOMS.
Why do we all receive at this- date. catalogues from Dutch bulb growers, but not from English ? Apropos, bulbs desired for winter flowering indoors should be set in their bowls at once. Fibre- is undoubtedly the best material ; and since the bulb already harbours the flower, holding much of the value in itself, bulbs for forcing may be placed as close as you please, provided they do not touch. Plant them so that the top just appears, keep them cool and dark at first, but warm when growth begins ; keep damp, but always tip out superfluous water. Varieties that are coming into fashion- for this purpose are the Marechal Niel tulips ; but the earliest and easiest to grow—and a great delight about Christmas—are still the old-fashioned Roman hyacinths. Among outdoor bulbs it is surprising that more people do not grow Leucojum or snowflake. Its extra size makes it better than the snowdrop for growing in any grass that is not of the smoothest, and it flourishes abundantly in any light soil. The variety Vernum Carpaticum has a really lovely flower, with the true snowdrop association of white and green in an attractive form.
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