The secret of their accommodating nature lies in the fact that within the Hyacinth or Tulip every petal of the coming flower is already stored.  During the five or six years of its progressive life the capacities of the bulb have been steadily conserved, and we have but to unfold its beauty, aiming at short stout growth and intensity of colour.  Of course there is an immense difference in the quality of bulbs, and they necessarily vary according to the character of the season.  The most successful growers cannot insure uniformity in any one variety year after year, because the seasons are beyond human control.  But those who regularly visit the bulb farms can obtain the finest roots of the year, although it may be necessary to select from many sources.

Such bulbs as Lilies, Iris, Montbretia, Hyacinthus, and Alstroemeria suffer no deterioration after the first year’s flowering.  Indeed, it will be the cultivator’s fault if they do not increase in number and carry finer heads of bloom in succeeding years.  As outdoor subjects some of them are not yet appreciated at their full value.  Magnificent as =Lilium auratum= and =L. lancifolium= must ever be in conservatories, they exhibit their imposing proportions to greater advantage, and their wealth of perfume is far more acceptable, when grown among handsome shrubs in the border.  Very little attention is needed to bring them up year after year in ever-increasing loveliness.

==Growing Bulbs in Moss-fibre.==—­A most interesting method of growing bulbs is to place them in bowls and jardinieres filled with prepared moss-fibre, and far better results for home decoration may be obtained in this way than by using ordinary potting soil in vases, &c.  For this system of culture no drainage is necessary, and the bowls and vases which are specially made for the purpose are not pierced with the usual holes for the escape of water.  The receptacles are non-porous and may be placed on tables and columns, or they can be employed in halls and corridors without the slightest risk of injury.  The fibre is perfectly clean to handle, odourless, and remains sweet for an indefinite period.

Vases of any kind may be used, provided they are non-porous, but the bulbs to be planted in them should be of a suitable size.  For quite small jardinieres, white and purple Crocuses, Scillas, Snowdrops, and Grape Hyacinths are available, also the smaller varieties of Narcissi.  Larger vases will accommodate Hyacinths, Narcissi, Tulips, &c.  It is better not to mix different kinds of bulbs in one bowl unless simultaneous flowering can be insured.  The specially prepared fibre needs only to be moistened before use.  Having selected suitable receptacles for the bulbs to be grown, place a few pieces of charcoal at the bottom of each bowl.  Then cover the charcoal with one to three inches of moistened fibre according to the depth of the bowl, placing the bulbs in positions so that their tips reach to within half-inch of the