126 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Peter Yoerhelm was one of the earliest cultiva- 

 tors of the Double Hyacinth, which was about the 

 beginning of the last century. Previous to his 

 time, the single kind only had been propagated^ 

 This florist named his first Double Hyacinth Mary, 

 but the kind is now lost ; and his third double flower 

 was called The King of Great Britain : this is 

 now the oldest Double Hyacinth known, a single 

 bulb of which used to bring the price of a thousand 

 florins, or one hundred pounds sterling; and, about 

 seventy years back, two hundred pounds was no 

 uncommon price for a single bulb of a favourite 

 Hyacinth. At present, about ten pounds is the 

 general price given for the finest bulbs, and from 

 one to ten shillings for the varied sorts ; what are 

 called the common mixtures, are sold from two to 

 three pounds a hundred. 



The criterion of a fine Double Hyacinth consists 

 in its stem being strong, tall, and erect, garnished 

 with numerous and large bells, each supported by 

 a short and strong peduncle, or foot-stalk, in a 

 horizontal position, so that the whole may have a 

 compact pyramidical form, with the upper flower 

 perfectly erect. The flowers should be large, and 

 perfectly double, that is, well filled with broad bold 

 petals, appearing rather convex than flat or hollow. 

 The flowers should occupy about one half the 

 ength of the stem. The colours should be clear 



