growth. About the first of April is a
suitable time in the latitude of Northern Ohio. In a mild climate the
bulbs may be left in the ground all winter, and the same might be done
in the north if they could be covered securely enough to keep out the
frost.

Planting.

After the land has been well prepared, furrows are made three feet apart
and about six inches deep, for large bulbs. The furrowing is done with
the Planet Jr. cultivator, arranged with a large tooth behind, and two
or four smaller ones in front, turned edgewise. They steady the
cultivator and contribute towards the fining of the soil. Next, the
bulbs are placed in the furrows, as far apart as their own diameter;
that is, two-inch bulbs should be two inches apart, one-inch bulbs one
inch, and so on down through all the blooming sizes. When bulbs are an
inch or more in diameter, they are generally placed right side up,
though this is not essential. However, when scattered along the furrow
they can be put in position very quickly.

After they are placed, cover with the cultivator used in furrowing,
taking off the small teeth in front and putting on the wings. By going
once in each space, throwing the soil both ways, the bulbs are covered
deeply enough to make quite prominent ridges over the rows, with furrows
midway between. Very soon the weeds begin to show, and then a good
harrowing is given, length-wise of the rows, to kill the first crop.
Next, just before the sprouts are ready to come in sight, they are gone
over with the weeder. On small areas all this stirring is done with a
steel rake. By this method the surface is kept free from weeds, and is
also made fine and mellow for the young shoots to come through. If the
work cannot be done at the right time, it is better to wait until the
sprouts are up an inch or two, as they can then be stirred without fear
of injury, but when just coming up they are tender and easily bruised or
broken.

When bulbs are planted in a small way, it is not customary to place them
in rows. A better plan is to scatter them over the ground about as far
apart as they are wanted, say six or eight inches each way, and put them
in one at a time with a trowel or dibble, five or six inches below the
surface. They are planted at this depth, in both garden and field, to
prevent their blowing over when in bloom. Those that are from one-half
to three-fourths of an inch in diameter should be covered with about
four inches of soil.