HYACINTH, 149 
the bulb, instead of being raised on a long generous 
spike, being the result of insufficient root action. 
Blooming Hyacinths in Glasses.—For flower- 
ing in glasses, the largest and heaviest bulbs alone should 
be chosen, as, in a great measure, they derive their nour- 
ishment from their own substance, which is quite sufti- 
cient to develop their flowers, if all other conditions are 
favorable. For this purpose, as in growing the bulbs 
in pots, a healthy root growth is of the first importance. 
To secure this it isan excellent plan, about November Ist, 
to place the bulbs in a box of wet sand, say two inches 
in depth. The bulbs should not be pressed into the 
sand more than half an inch. Put the box where it is 
cool and dark, and the roots will start in a few days; 
when they are half an inch in length, the bulbs may be 
put in the glasses where they are to grow. Place the 
glasses, after they are filled with water enough to just 
touch the bulb, in a dark closet until the roots touch 
the bottoms of the glasses, then bring to the light, but 
never where the glasses will receive the full rays of the 
sun, the effect of which is to heat the water to a fatal 
degree. A rather low temperature and free access of 
pure air are among the essential conditions of growth. 
The temperature should be free from fluctuations. The 
mantlepiece is an unfit place, while the window-sash, 
where the glasses get the full force of the sun by day, 
and the cold drafts of air at night, is the worst place 
possible, and the one where they are the most frequently 
met. The nearer they can be kept in a temperature of 
say 50° F., the better will be the results. For flowering 
in glasses the single varieties are always to be preferred, 
as they come into flower more quickly and seem to thrive 
better under unnatura! conditions. 
Varieties. — The varieties of the Hyacinth are 
extremely numerous, but it is a pleasure to say that the 
Dutch descriptions are remarkably accurate, and that 
