SOCIETY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS. 129 



Thos. Franks — I take issue with Mr. Heinl in regard to the 

 hyacinth, they are hardy here and I never heard of their not being 

 considered so before. 



Francis Heinl — For the last five or six years, they seldom bloom 

 after the first year. They are not worth planting with us, it may be 

 on account of the damp weather. 



H. M. Dunlap — At what depth should these bulbs be planted? 



Thos. Franks — They want lots of sand, half sand would do, and 

 plant at a depth of three or four inches. We plant them after the 

 the frost has destroyed the other plants. Care should be taken not to 

 have water stand around them. They should be covered with some 

 sort of litter which should be kept on till the frost is nearly all out 

 of the ground. Hyacinths should not be left in the ground year 

 after year, as they will degenerate. They should be taken up every 

 spring and tulips every year or two years. 



F. I. Mann — I think we are apt to make our flower beds too 

 small, they do not resist the drouth as well as larger tracts. 



F. Heinl — In most cases the ground is spaded too shallow and 

 dries out sooner on that account. 



Prof . Morrow — For years these Societies have been discussing 

 these topics, but these are among the best papers I have ever heard. 

 I know very little about flowers, Mr. Franks makes them his busi- 

 ness and, hence, understands the subject. We are not all constituted 

 alike, and while one may have a passion for flowers, another may for 

 corn and vegetables or horses. We should all follow our own business. 

 My observation about flower beds is that, unless we have a great love 

 for them, we should begin on a small scale, better a lawn with 

 nothing but grass and trees than flower beds neglected and over- 

 grown with weeds. 



Mr. Chester — Would you advocate watering when as dry as 

 last year? 



Mr. Franks — I am opposed to watering as it is usually done. 

 It is of no use to sprinkle the top of the ground. If the ground is 

 well stirred there is little n'eed of watering. 



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