OCTOBER. 303 



THE HYACINTH. 



We extract the following from Butler and McCulloch's Interesting 

 Catalogue of Dutch and other Bulbs, just published : — 



The Hyacinth, like the Rose, is a universal favourite ; for although 

 diversity of taste occurs in floral matters, as in all others, the Hyacinth 

 is never questioned. Every body loves it for its beauty and frag- 

 rance ; and it may, with justice, be termed a "household flower." It 

 will thrive almost in any soil or medium capable of retaining moisture ; 

 and will flower almost as finely when grown in water, or moist sand, 

 as when planted in the richest compost. 



Culture of the Hyacinth in Glasses. — Of all the plants with which 

 we are acquainted, the Hyacinth is the most suitable for this elegant, 

 although somewhat unnatural, system of culture. Its roots, like those 

 of other plants, shun the light with instinctive care ; therefore, dark- 

 coloured glasses should be selected. Place the bulbs on the glasses, 

 and fill with pure rain water to within a quarter of an inch of the bulb ; 

 and set them in a cellar, or any other dark, cool situation. When the 

 glasses are moderately filled with roots, which will be the case in the 

 course of three or four weeks, remove to where the plants will receive 

 moderate light ; and as soon as the leaves assume a healthy green 

 colour, place the plants in the lightest possible situation, and where they 

 can have abundance of fresh air. A close, heated atmosphere is very 

 unfavourable to the development of handsome spikes of bloom. When 

 in actual growth, keep them as near the glass as convenient, and turn 

 them occasionally to prevent long, weakly, ill-shaped stems ; the water 

 should not be changed so long as it remains fresh ; merely add a little 

 as may be required to replace what is taken up by the roots or removed 

 by evaporation ; in short, the less Hyacinths are handled the better. 

 Should the water become offensive, however, not only is a change 

 necessary, but ■ all superfluous or decaying matters that may have 

 collected about the base of the bulbs or roots must also be removed. In 

 all instances rain water must be employed, and at the same tempera- 

 ture as that already in the glasses. As an artificial stimulant, we 

 know of nothing better than to dissolve, in a quart of rain water, an 

 ounce of guano, and to pour one teaspoonful of that into each glass 

 once a fortnight after the flowers begin to appear. Tye's glasses 

 of new and elegant design, with supports, are the most perfect yet 

 introduced. Bulbs grown in* glasses, if to be of any use the following 

 season, should, as soon as the beauty of the flower is over, be removed 

 to a bed of rich soil, in a frame, or very sheltered situation, and be 

 carefully planted and properly tended until the leaves die off. If bright 

 sunshine or frost occur before they become accustomed to their fresh 

 situation, afford them the protection of a slight covering. If well cared 

 for till ripe, they will be worth planting in open borders the following 

 season ; but, with the best management, will not bloom so finely as 

 imported bulbs. 



Culture of the Hyacinth in Pots. — For this purpose, the Hyacinth 

 is remarkably well adapted; and, with the assistance of a garden 



