HYACINTH. 131 



are lifted in summer. The compost in which they 

 gyew is removed to the depth of about nine inches, 

 and the sub-soil is digged over ; a new layer of 

 compost of equal depth is afterwards introduced ; 



a nd in this the choice bulbs are again planted in 

 the autumn. The compost in which the Hyacinths 

 grew, descends the following year, first to the 

 Tulips, and then to the Narcissus, Sec, so as to give 

 them all a regular change of soil, adding more cow- 

 dung or more sand to the compost, as the nature 

 of the succeeding plants may require. 



From the middle of October to the middle of 

 November is the best time for placing Hyacinth 

 bulbs in the ground, for when planted earlier they 

 appear above the ground in the middle of winter, 

 and if neglected later, the bulbs will be weakened 

 by their natural tendency to vegetate. The bulbs 

 may be placed from six to nine inches apart, and it 

 is advisable to place a small quantity of sand beneath 

 each bulb, to prevent the earth adhering too closely 

 to them ; they should also be placed on the beds in 

 the manner recommended in planting the Narcissus, 

 and not with a dibble of any kind. 



It is the practice to plant Hyacinths alternately 

 on the beds, according to their colours ; but when 

 they are planted in the flower-garden, or on the 

 projecting borders of the shrubbery, they will be 

 found to have a much better effect when clumps 

 are formed of distinct colours. 



