MISCELLANEOUS PAPERS. 423 



The Corn. 



A song of the corn, the sturdy corn, which brightens this land of ours ! 



Its tender green. In the eai'ly spring. Is fairer than blossoming flowers; 



Its amber silk, with glossy sheen, is fit for a fairy's loom. 



And dearer its dimpled, golden ears than the rose of lily's bloom, 



For they bear the promise of happy hours to the man who tolls for bread, 



When he need not fear that his little ones must go to their sleep unfed. 



There are lovely flowers in this land of ours, wherever the foot may fall. 



The tongue and the ear alike would tire sliould I try to tell them all. 



From the arbutus on Atlantic shores to the poppy's gleams. 



As liright as the metal which lies at its roots by Californian streams; 



IJut never a flower such gifts has gained from the sun and dews of morn. 



Or stands more fair in the summer air than the blessed, golden corn! 



—Ninette M. Lowater, In Youth's Companion. 



Growing Hyacinths in Water. 



To be successful in the cultivation of hyacinths in glasses during; 

 the winter season, it is necessary to commence operations early in 

 October, so as to give the bulbs an opportunity to properly develop 

 their roots before they start into growth ; and in order to obtain a 

 continued succession of bloom, it is absolutely necessary to make suc- 

 cessive plantings until the desired quality is secured. When the bulbs 

 are procured they should be spread out in a dark, cool situation, and 

 examined occasionally, so that as soon as they begin to throw out 

 roots they can be placed in the glasses. By selecting them in this 

 manner a continued succession of bloom may be enjoyed from January 

 until May. In cultivating hyacincths in glasses the single varieties are 

 mostly used, as they do better than the double varieties. 



In purchasing glasses those known as Tyes pattern and those of 

 a dark color are to be preferred. The bulbs should be placed therein 

 as soon as they begin to form roots. In the bottom of each glass put 

 a small piece of charcoal, then fill with rain water, so that it will barely 

 touch the bottom of the bulb when j)laced on the top. Then remove 

 to a dark, cool cellar — no other place will answer as well — for two or 

 three months, after which they should be gradually brought to the 

 light until they are placed in the lightest situation to be had, and given 

 as much fresh air as possible. When the plants are growing it is ad- 

 visable to turn them occasionally, and what water is lost by evapora- 

 tion must be supplied. 



The flowers will remain in perfection a long time if the plants are 

 kept free from dust and placed in a cool temperature. As soon as 

 the flowers begin to fade let the whole plant be thrown away, as bulbs 



