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Show .. PLANTING OF BULBS (Continued from last week) If planted in beds, the surface of the i soil should he loosened al ter each rain a d the bea kept free from weeds. In j the late fall or early winter months, it ! is wi ll to cover the beds with a light j mulch of straw or leaves to prevent injury in-jury to the young roots from the alternate alter-nate freezing and thawing of the soil, This mulch should be gradually removed re-moved in spring, as soon as growth appears ap-pears above ground. The bulbs are quite hardy and are not injured by se-verecold se-verecold if the soil is well drained. Tulip and narci-i.-uis plants are peren-nical, peren-nical, and if given proper care and grown under suitable soil and climatic conditions will increase and multiply from year to year. The bulbs may remain re-main in the ground two or three years or until the clumps begin to crowd. After Af-ter blossoming in the spring, from six to eight weeks should elapse to allow the folliage to die partially down, when ! the, bulbs may brjlifted with a spade or ' fork. Shake the soil from the roots ' ana store the bulbs in a cuol, shady lace where they will ripen and cure. When the old leaves and roots, are thoroughly dry they may be rubbed off and the clusters clus-ters of bulbs divided. The bulbs may then be planted in the same manner as the original bulbs. In this way the stock maybe increased in a few years. I The narcissus often becomes naturalized natural-ized when planted in the sod or partial ' shade, where it will continue to grow, ! bloom, and multiply for many years without further attention. Make a ' small hole in the soil 5 or 6 inches deep, ! insert the bulb pointed end up, press ' the soil over the top, and nature will tin the lest. For naturalizing, avoid planting plant-ing in row or rigid geometrical figures. A good jiian is to scalier the bulbs lik- seed and plant where thev fall. This method of planting is extensively fol- j lowed in the home ground and parks of j England and other countries in Euiopr. In portions of North Carolina, on large estates along the Jimes River in Virginia, Vir-ginia, and in old gardens inNewEngland I raraissus that were planted over half a century ago are still growing vigorously j and every spring produce beautiful dis- j plays of blossoms. |