Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Nature StudyOntario. Department of Education
Science
Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Nature Study
Ontario. Department of Education
Nature study; Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) -- Ontario
Tulips and daffodils (narcissus) are the most suitable bulbs for
out-of-door planting. The best varieties for outdoor culture are usually
designated in catalogues. Bulbs should not be planted in individual
plots, but in borders and ornamental beds. The latter should not be
placed in the centre of a lawn, as is frequently done. Bulbs should be
planted before the last of October.
BEDS FOR GROWING BULBS
To make a bulb bed, throw out the top soil to a depth of eight or nine
inches, put about three inches of well-rotted stable manure in the
bottom, and cover it with about three inches of the soil which was
thrown out. Rake the plot level and then place the bulbs about eight
inches apart on the top of the soil, arranging them in any design
chosen. Cover them with the rest of the soil and rake it level. There
will be about five inches of soil over the bulbs. When a solid crust has
formed over the bed, put on a covering of leaves, straw, or branches of
evergreens, and some pieces of boards to hold them in place. This
covering does not protect the bulbs from freezing, but prevents too
rapid thawing out in the spring. This covering should remain until the
tips of the bulbs are showing above ground, when it should be removed.
Ordinarily the bulbs may be left a second year before digging up. They
should then be re-set or replaced with new ones, and the bed made and
fertilized as before.
In clay soil the bulbs should not be set quite so deep as in sandy soil,
and the bulbs have better drainage about their roots if a handful of
sand is placed under each bulb in planting.
Crocus bulbs may be planted in clumps anywhere about the grounds or
borders by simply making a small hole about five inches deep, dropping
the bulb in, and covering it. Lily of the valley grows best in partial
shade in some unfrequented corner.
PLANTING OF BULBS INDOORS
Read again the instructions given under this heading in Form I work,
regarding soil, planting, and care. The Chinese sacred lily and trumpet
narcissus may be chosen for the pupils of this Form. The narcissus, also
called daffodil, may be held back until early spring if kept in a cool,
dark cellar, but the Chinese sacred lily, which is also a variety of
narcissus, comes into bloom from four to six weeks after planting. It is
usually grown in water in a bowl of suitable size. Place a few pieces of
charcoal in the bottom of the bowl, set the bulb upon them, and pack
coloured stones and shells around it as a support. Keep the bowl about
two thirds full of water and set it in a warm, sunny place. It does not
need to be set in the dark, as is the case with other bulbs. These may
also be grown in soil in the same way as other varieties of narcissus.
When blooming is over, the bulbs may be thrown away, as they cannot be
used again.
GARDEN WORK
(See Autumn work for Form I.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account