uired to get well developed specimens. When
first brought in from cold frames or wherever they have been stored to
make roots, do not expose them either to direct sunlight or excessive
heat.

A temperature of not more than fifty-five degrees at night is warm
enough for the first ten days, and afterwards, if they show signs of
vigorous growth and are required for any particular occasion, they
may be kept ten degrees warmer. It is more important that they be not
exposed to too much light than to too much heat.

Half the short stemmed Tulips, dumpy Hyacinths and blind Narcissus
we see in the green-houses and windows of amateurs are the result of
excessive light when first brought into warm quarters. Where it is not
possible to shade bulbs without interfering with other plants a simple
and effective plan is to make funnels of paper large enough to stand
inside each pot and six inches high. These may be left on the pots
night and day from the time the plants are brought in until the flower
spike has grown above the foliage; indeed, some of the very finest
Hyacinths cannot be had in perfection without some such treatment.
Bulbous plants should never suffer for water when growing rapidly, yet
on the other hand, they are easily ruined if allowed to become sodden.

When in flower a rather dry and cool temperature will preserve them
the longest.

Of bulbs which flower in the summer and fall, Gloxinias and tuberous
rooted Begonias are great favorites and easily managed. For early
summer a few of each should be started at once--using sandy, friable
soil. Six-inch pots, well drained, are large enough for the very
largest bulbs, while for smaller even three-inch pots will answer.
In a green-house there is no difficulty in finding just the place to
start them. It must be snug, rather shady and not too warm. They can
be well cared for, however, in a hot-bed or even a window, but some
experience is necessary to make a success.

Lilies, in pots, whether _L. candidum_ or _L. longiflorum_ that
are desired to be in flower by Easter, should now receive every
attention--their condition should be that the flower buds can
be easily felt in the leaf heads. A temperature of fifty-five to
sixty-five at night should be maintained, giving abundance of air on
bright sunny days to keep them stocky. Green fly is very troublesome
at this stage, and nothing is more certain to destroy this pest than
to dip the plants in tobacco water which, to be ef