268 THE FLOKAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



much as it is for those who manage their own gardening affairs. 

 But, as many of my friends who keep gardeners read the PloraI/ 

 "WoELD, there can be no barm in mentioning these matters, and it 

 may probably be the means of preventing any misunderstanding 

 by and by when the hyacinths come into flower. I would say, go 

 to a respectable dealer, not necessarily a large one, for I believe 

 quite as much honesty is to be found amongst men in a small way 

 as there is amongst those with large concerns. Go early in the 

 season, and as soon as the first importation arrives, then you can 

 make sure of having the pick of the best bulbs, that is if the best 

 price is paid. There need be no fear then of their having been ex- 

 posed several weeks in the shop windows, a process which does any- 

 thing but improve their blooming qualities. The best bulbs are 

 those which are quite solid, and feel heavy when handled ; these are 

 much better than others that are larger, but soft and light. It does 

 not follow because some varieties are entered in the price-list at half 

 a guinea, that the bulbs of these are better than others which are 

 entered at ninepence : the price is regulated by the newness and 

 rarity of the variety more than it is by the size and quality of the 

 bulbs. The last consideration very seldom makes more than a few 

 pence difference in each bulb. Por instance, suppose certain varieties 

 to be oftered for twelve shillings per dozen, you must expect to pay 

 fifteen if you go and pick out the very best ; and if you are satisfied 

 with inferior bulbs, you may get them for nine. But I would say, 

 don't expect to get such good spikes from bulbs at the last price as 

 from the first, or blame the nurseryman for supplying you with an 

 inferior article. 



Culture in^ Pots. — After disposing of the buying part of the 

 question, of which I have said more than I originally intended, we 

 will consider a few cultural details ; and as growing them in pots is 

 of the most importance, we will deal with it first. As it is not 

 advisable to expose the bulbs to the drying influences of the air any 

 longer than can be helped, they ought properly to be potted imme- 

 diately they come to hand. If large, full-sized bulbs, one in each 

 six-inch pot is quite sufficient, but smaller ones may be potted at the 

 rate of two or three in each pot ; but for general work, nothing beats 

 growing them singly. 



The first part of this branch of the subject which claims our 

 attention at this moment is the preparation of the soil. Hyacinths 

 are not so particular as to what they are potted in as some plants ; 

 they will grow in cocoa-nut refuse, moss, and water, besides the 

 ordinary compost of loam, etc. They produce tolerably good 

 spikes grown either way; but to have them in the highest per- 

 fection, nothing can be better than good turfy loam, used rough, 

 and decayed manure, from an old hot-bed, in equal parts. Well 

 rotted cow-dung will do equally well in place of the hot-bed manure. 

 Grown in a mixture of this kind, there is something to support 

 the plants when growing, which is not the case when grown in either 

 of the above-mentioned materials, as the plants have to derive nearly 

 or quite all its support from the nourishment laid up in the bulb 

 the previous season. The soil being prepared, the pots should be 



