ive almost anywhere, and in
almost any ordinary garden soil. They should be planted during the
present month, about two inches under the surface. As the roots only
cost about threepence per dozen hardly any spot ought to be bare of
flowers from the middle of January to early in March. A
universally-grown plant, even earlier than the crocus, is the well-known
snowdrop. This also, like the crocus, can be grown almost anywhere, and
may remain in one spot undisturbed for years; both are most effective
when grown in clumps. The French name of _Perceneige_, or Pierce-snow,
is singularly applicable to the snowdrop. Place the tiny roots from one
to two inches deep, and grow the single-flowered form only.

* * * * *

The narcissus or daffodil is another of the many spring-flowering plants
which are invariably greeted with enthusiasm. The varieties are endless,
but the greater number are almost unexcelled for growing in such
situations as the tops and sides of hedges, banks, &c. They can scarcely
be grown too extensively. Of the various sorts, and exclusive of the
ordinary double form, few are more beautiful or more desirable than that
known as the Poet's Narcissus (_N. poeticus_). The pure white of the
segments and the delicate bright scarlet centre are best when the plant
is grown sheltered from strong winds. Another favourite narcissus of
ours, and which we can confidently recommend to our readers, is that
known as "Orange Phoenix;" it is a singularly beautiful plant, and
produces large double and well-formed flowers; it thrives best in a
light sandy soil. Several colours may be secured by purchasing a dozen
roots of mixed sorts, costing from two to three shillings per dozen.
They may be planted any time throughout October and up to the middle of
November.

* * * * *

The Kitchen Garden of our young folk will need but very little looking
after during the present and next two months; but in stating this we
must not be understood to imply that it should be wholly neglected. On
the contrary, it must be kept quite free from weeds of all sorts; and
everything should be in perfect order. To this end paths should be swept
and weeded every week, when the state of the weather will admit of this
being done. The Kitchen Garden is much too frequently seen in a
disreputable state, even in pretentious places, and where
flower-gardening _is_ done very well. B