188 THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



As to hyacinths flowered in water, or forced in pots, or otherwise ren- 

 dered of no use for at least one season afterwards, they will always pay for 

 recover}', and the process is not difficult. Plant all these weakened bulbs 

 in a deep, sandy, well-manured border in September, six inches deep. 

 If they throw up flower-spikes the nest spring, nip the spikes out, Avith 

 the exception of one or two blooms. Allow those blooms to expand to 

 prove them, and while the blooms are open tallj- them correctly. If sure 

 of the names beforehand there is no need to allow any blooms to remain, 

 which is the preferable method. Give plenty of water during April, 

 May, and the first week in June, then withhold it altogether, and when 

 the foliage has withered take them up, and they will be found to have 

 acquired a size and character equal to the best of the imported bulbs of 

 Dutch growth. Thus, when tried most severelj-, tliey maj- be recovered 

 by sacrificing the bloom one season, and, when thoroughly well dealt with 

 from beginning to end, the sorts need only be purchased once, and after 

 that they may be kept and inci-eased Avith the utmost certainty. To use 

 bulbs extensively for out-door decoration is an exjiensive undertaking, and 

 we need not apologize, therefore, for dealing with the matter now at rather 

 more than ordinary length. 



iST"OTES OF THE MONTH. 



EoTAL Belfast Hoeticultueal Society. — Summer Exhibition. — 

 Friday, the 9th of August, was a day of special rejoicing in Belfast; three 

 important events concurring to cause an immense assemblage and a consider- 

 able amount of healthy excitement. It was the day fixed for the exhibition 

 of the Belfast Horticultural Society, and the collection of plants, flowers, and 

 fruits, was such as distanced all former exhibitions in excellence of character, 

 completeness of detail, and general grandeur. The day was further dis- 

 tinguished as the visit of the Lord Lieutenant and suite to Belfast, which 

 added much to the attractions of the show. Lastly, the local interest was 

 enhanced by the performance of a ceremony eminently compliraentaiy to the 

 people of Belfast: the Mayor, E. C oey, Esq., was knighted by the Lord 

 Lieutenant in the Eoyal Botanic Gardens. 



In regard to the exhibition, it was the best ever seen in these gardens. 

 Stove and greenhouse plants were excellent, beyond the usual average 

 description. The prizes were to be given for the best collection of twenty -four 

 plants, etc., and the greatest novice entering such ashow-yard, audone possessed 

 of the least experienced eye, woidd at one look see the beauty of the admir- 

 able collection belonging to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant, and the 

 superiority of the same over all their competitors. They were awarded the 

 first prize ; and next in order came the collection of Mr. G.A.Thomson, vhich, 

 were it not that his Excellency exhibited, would undoubtedly have won the 

 first prize ; Mr. Thomas Sinclair and Mrs. Boomer were awarded the third 

 and fourth prizes. There was a fine collection of foliage plants, from P. F. 

 K. Bichardson, Esq., among which we noticed Alocasia metallica, Cyano- 

 phyllum magnificum, Aralia Sieboldii, and Cissus discolor, all admirably 

 grown, the first being especially deserving of notice as a novelty unequalled in 

 its metallic-looking foliage. Another metallic plant is Clei'odendronjudicum, 

 shown in the same collection ; the leaves have the appearance of being 

 exquisitely finished in bronze, certainly a remarkable object. Lord Lurgan 

 also exhibited an Alocasia. A large number of rare begonias were exhibited 

 by John Moat, Esq., Dunmurry. It would be almost impossible to find ten 

 begonias to equal them in any part of the country. Mr. Moat had also a 



