HYACINTH. 141 
four years. The latter rule must be respected ; because, 
if planted a year earlier, the decayed remains of the old 
bulbs would bring disease to the newly planted bulbs. 
The usual custom in Holland is to plant a bed the first 
year with Hyacinths, the second with Tulips, the third 
with Polyanthus Narcissus, and it is considered desira- 
ble to plant something similar the fourth year. The 
bed is generally prepared for Hyacinths the fourth sea- 
son. Between December and February the ground is 
dug two or three feet deep. In March the soil is covered 
to the depth of three inches with cow manure, then 
spaded in a foot deep. During the summer, vegetables, 
or annuals, which do not exhaust the soil, are grown on 
the bed. The following autumn the soil is dug two 
feet deep, taking care to let the manure, which was 
put on in the spring, remains a foot deep in the earth. 
In the beginning of October, planting commences in 
the following manner: The whole piece of ground 
allotted for Hyacinths is divided into beds about five feet 
in width. ‘he soil is taken from the surface of the first 
bed to the depth of from three to five inches, according 
to the size of the bulbs to be planted, and conveyed to 
the further side of the last bed in the piece of ground to 
be planted. The first bed then is carefully raked over 
and divided into rows a foot apart, and the bulbs placed 
on these rows, without pressing down, about six inches 
apart. The second bed is dug out in like manner, and 
the earth which is taken from it is used for covering the 
pulbs in the first bed; and in this manner they proceed 
to the last bed, which is covered with the earth of the 
first bed. Very large, strong growing bulbs are planted 
six inches deep, and further apart; while small bulbs, 
such as are incapable of producing flowers, are scattered 
closely in the rows, and not covered so deeply. The 
weather should be dry during the time of planting, as 
continued wet weather is liable to cause rot. 
