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The Early Bulb Order: Tulipa

Tulipa kaufmanniana and Tulipa clusiana are two of the little Species or Botanical tulips, and a few should be included in every order. These have come to us from Asia Minor and Turkestan and are two of the loveliest of the group. The flowers of Tulipa kaufmanniana are delicately tinted, soft rose on the outer side of the petals and cream color within. The blooms are borne on stems usually less than a foot in height and open very wide, being sometimes spoken of as the "water lily" tulip. This is one of the few tulips that can be successfully naturalized. It thrives well in either full sun or partial shade and is delightful when used in the rock garden. It is the earliest of all tulips to come into bloom, a dainty, exquisite thing. The bulbs should be planted about six inches deep.

Tulipa clusiana is also known as the little Lady Tulip and is most delightful. It has about it a certain sprightliness and grace that are very endearing. It is white or pale cream in color with streaks of vivid crimson on the outer side of the petals. It thrives most happily in the garden and is exceedingly good for forcing indoors.

Dwarf Gladiolus The dwarf gladioli have proved hardy for outdoor culture in the gardens of Philadelphia and southward. They force readily in the greenhouse or conservatory and should be included in every bulb order. For garden culture they should be planted in late October or early November, shortly before freezing weather approaches. The bulbs are very small and naked-looking, and should be set at a depth of two to three inches. They require a rather sandy, well-drained soil, and in the vicinity of Philadelphia a little winter protection should be given them. A few twigs should be placed directly over the bulbs to prevent the mulch from matting down too heavily upon them. Leaves, straw, or salt hay may be used as the mulch, and should be removed promptly in the first warm days of spring in order to enable the slender green foliage to poke through.

The blooms of the dwarf gladiolus are truly exquisite things. Varieties may be had in pure white, delicate pink, white flecked with crimson, and some deeper shades. The long, slender stems are somewhat twisted and are very graceful, making the blooms particularly lovely for cutflower arrangements.