THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 267 



wish to decorate a conservatory or make a fortune in the market. 

 Even in cocoanut dust alone early tulips do very well if it is intended 

 to sell or destroy the bulbs. If it is intended to keep them, the 

 stuff must be fibry loam with manure added. Tulips do better this 

 way than any other bulbs, but hyacinths and crocuses are amenable 

 to the treatment ; and where effect is everything, and the ultimate 

 value of the bulbs nothing, this may be considered a royal road to 

 success. 



For the embellishment of our tables and windows, we use the 

 beautiful hyacinth glasses sold by Messrs. Claudet and Houghton, of 

 High Holborn, who have bought the patent or registration of Mr. 

 Tye, of Birmiugham, and are now the sole manufacturers of these 

 things. I can understand how much pleasure is derivable from the 

 cultivation of hyacinths in glasses, for where plant-growing is not 

 largely practised, such practice is full of entertainment. But we 

 are not in need of such amusements, and having always more draw- 

 iug-room plants and flowers than can be put to use, never put 

 hyacinths in glasses. But suppose a wedding or christening, or 

 Bohea celebration, or snug party of ten to spoil a dish of seakale and 

 accompaniments. In such a case, if it is hyacinth season, I bring 

 forth my glasses and put some water in them. Next I look up a few 

 of the very best pot specimens we have, knock them out, shake off' 

 the soil, wash the roots, and quietly drop them into the glasses. 

 People then say, " We never saw such hyacinths in glasses ; however 

 do you manage it ? " I have hitherto replied, " Tell you some day 

 — pass the claret." So I tell it now, fro lono publico, and what a 

 simple story it is as compared with the glory of the subject. 



S. H. 



CATS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE GAEDENESQUE. 



BY A TOWN AHATEUB. 



READFUL subject ! how shall it be dealt with in a way 

 to instruct and not offend? Not being by nature a 

 cat-hater, it cannot be alleged of me that I have no 

 feeling for the feline race ; yet hatred of cats has become 

 associated with thoughts of gardening, because of the per- 

 sistent way the cats wage war against my out-door pleasures. Would 

 the reader endure a categorical catalogue of my catastrophes — of 

 glass smashed, plants torn up by the roots, of flower-beds desecrated 

 by their nocturnal gambols, of blanks here, there, and everywhere, 

 in addition to the blank on my face through the havoc of the grim 

 grimalkins? lam so sure that it would be followed by catalepsy 

 for me to tell the tale of a eat that plagued me this very week, that 

 it is not likely I shall ever reveal the whole of my experience ; 

 indeed, I must already appear to be using catachrestical language, as 

 it instead of an old torn mowking and mewing and caterwauling, he 

 should put on spectacles and gravely talk Greek. No ; fear not I 

 will afflict you with my whole mind upon the subject, but just allow 

 me to give vou a few hints. 



