Soil And Culture

They succeed very well in any good, light, rich earth, in a sheltered situation and eastern aspect, with the beds a little elevated above the common level; and in winter and early in spring give occasional shelter of mats from frosts and inclement weather, especially after the flower buds appear above ground. All the sorts of these bulbs, planted in either of the above methods, may be suffered to remain in the ground two or three years, or more, unremoved; however, it is proper to take up the bulbs in general every third or fourth year, in order to separate the offsets, which in that time will be increased so greatly in number, that the tubes pressing close against one another, the inner ones will be so much compressed and weakened, as greatly to impede their flowering. But where these bulbs are intended for sale, they should generally be lifted once a year, or once every two years, otherwise, by their growing close in clusters, pressing against one another, they will be flattened thereby, and rendered unsightly, and less saleable.

The proper time of year for taking up all the sorts is soon after they have done flowering, and their leaves and flower stalks attained a state of decay; at which time of lifting the bulbs, separate them all singly, and the smaller offsets from the larger, reserving the large roots for planting again in the principal compartments; and the smaller may be deposited in nursery beds for a year or two, to gain strength, when they will become good flowering roots, and may then be taken up at the proper season, in order for planting where wanted. When the roots are lifted at the above season, they may either be planted again directly, or in a month or six weeks after; or may be cleaned and dried, and retained out of the ground in a dry room, two or three months, or longer, if occasion shall require.

Method Of Planting

The best general season for planting all these bulbs is in autumn, from about the beginning or middle of September until November: they will flower considerably stronger, as well as furnish a greater increase of offsets than those planted later, or not till spring; if, however, some roots are retained out of ground until February, they will succeed those of the autumnal planting in flowering. Those in the open borders should be deposited in little patches of about three or four roots in each, planting them either with a blunt dibble, or with a garden trowel, four inches deep. When planted in beds by themselves, have the beds four feet wide, with alleys, a foot and a half or two feet wide, between, plant the roots in rows lengthwise, nine inches asunder, about four inches deep, and six distant in each row, covering them regularly with the earth, and rake the surface smoothly. Having planted the roots in either of these methods, all the culture they require is to be kept clean from weeds; and they will all flower in the following spring and summer.

Water Culture

The Polyanthus, Narcissus, and the large Jonquils, are bloomed in glasses of water in rooms, in winter and early in spring; any of the other species may also be flowered in the same manner; observing to procure such roots as were lifted at the season above mentioned. The season for placing in water is any time in winter or early spring, from October till March, observing to fill the glasses with fresh soft water, so full that the bottom of the bulb may just touch it. See Hyacinth.

Pot Culture

The same plants may be brought to early bloom in pots; plant the bulbs in pots of light rich earth during August, and place in a warm room; they will bloom about November. - Abercrombie.