stableton] GARDENING AT BLOOMINGTON, ILL. 77 



He has not only taught the boys and directed them in preparing 

 the bulbs for winter blooming, but he has given instruction and 

 demonstrations on how to prepare the bulbs to the girls as well as 

 the boys in a large number of our grammar grade rooms, and has 

 distributed the printed instructions to all of them. 



For winter blooming bulbs we secured one hundred Dutch 

 Hyacinths so that every room in the grades below the High School 

 might have a fine stalk of bloom. The Dutch hyacinths bloom 

 late in the winter. Roman hyacinths come into bloom much 

 earlier than the Dutch even when planted at the same time and 

 given the same treatment. A single stalk of a Dutch hyacinth 

 makes a great show when in bloom; while a single stalk of a 

 Roman hyacinth makes but little show. 



For each building the boys have planted ten Roman hyacinths 

 in one pot. This will give a pot of flowers before the Dutch hya- 

 cinths come into bloom, and the fact that ten of them are in one 

 pot makes it a very beautiful pot of flowers. If we could have 

 afforded it, we would have planted a pot of these for each room, 

 but we could not, so the one pot of Roman hyacinths must be 

 passed from room to room, until all the rooms in a building have 

 had it for a time. The Roman potted early in October should 

 be in bloom soon after Christmas, and almost before they are gone 

 the Dutch will begin to show color. Other bulbs potted for each 

 school garden are narcissi, fresias and sylha. 



The following copy of our printed instructions tells how forcing 

 is done. 



Growing Hyacinths Indoors 



Some time in October hyacinth bulbs should be planted if they are to 

 bloom during the winter months. The following directions are given for the 

 planting and care of the bulbs: 



First — Secure a large, strong, well ripened hyacinth bulb at any good 

 florist. It will cost about ten cents. Be sure to get the right color. 



Second — Secure a flower pot or tin can about 4 or 5 inches in diameter, 

 with hole in bottom for drainage. Place a piece of broken flower pot, wire 

 gauze, coal, or cinder over hole inside of pot or can, to keep earth from escap- 

 ing. 



Third — Place about an inch of rich garden soil in bottom of flower pot. 



Fourth — Place bulb on soil with top up. Pointed end of bulb should be 

 up. 



Fifth — Fill pot with soil, pack firmly, and water well. 



Sixth — Dig a trench in garden and place pot in, top up, and cover with 

 earth to a depth of 6 or 8 inches. Pack earth over pot. 



