140 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 
Field Culture of Hyacinth Bulbs.—Much has 
been said and written in regard to the cultivation of the 
Hyacinth. We shall give all the information known in 
regard to culture, as is practiced in Holland, informa- 
tion we have received from the best growers, and on 
their own grounds. It is well to remark here that the 
conditions of soil, in which the Hyacinth finds so con- 
genial a home in Holland, can rarely be found elsewhere. 
And further, that the Hyacinth will perfect its bloom, 
from bulbs grown in Holland, in any soil, or in water, 
even, providing all other conditions are favorable. Deep 
in the hidden scales of the bulb commenced last year 
those wonderful preparations, which will surely develop 
the flower this year, under almost any circumstances. 
The important part of cultivation consists in bringing 
the bulb up to the proper See for flowering when 
we receive it. 
The Hyacinth likes a very sandy, well-prepared, fine 
and light soil, entirely free from stone or gravel, conse- 
quently looking as though it had been passed through a 
fine sieve. All kinds of loam or stiff soil, which bind so 
closely together that, when dry, the wind cannot sepa- 
rate their particles, as it does those of sand, must be 
avoided. In Holland a soil is considered particularly 
good which is light gray, and which resembles fine, very 
sandy and light garden mold. This soil, which is very 
light of itself, is made still lighter by the addition of the 
thin sand of the Dutch downs, which is of a pale yellow 
color, and very fine. ‘The only manure used is from the 
cow-stable, which must be quite pure, and not mixed 
with straw or any other substance. 
In preparing the Hyacinth beds, particular attention 
is paid to the following rules: 1. That no stimulating 
fertilizer must be mixed with the soil for a period of 
four years previous to planting. 2. That Hyacinths 
must not be grown in the same soil oftener than once in 
