222 ON THE CULTURE OF THE HYACINTH. 



ARTICLE IV. 



ON THE CULTURE OF THE HYACINTH. 



BY H, L. 



As the time for planting bulbous roots is approaching, I send 

 these lines on the culture of the Hyacinth, deeming it proba- 

 ble you may consider them worthy a place in the Floricultuial 

 Cabinet . It is much to be regretted that so beautiful a flower 

 should not be more generally cultivated, especially as it blooms 

 so early in the spring, at a time when flowers are a desidera- 

 tum. 



Hyacinths may either be planted in pots, or beds, or be placed 

 in bulb glasses ; which latter method is the favourite one, espe- 

 cially with the ladies. 



I shall therefore first offer a few remarks on the blooming of 

 them in water. 



The bulbs should be put into the glasses sometime in the month 

 of October or November, but to speak more exactly, when the 

 incipient fibres or roots make their appearance, and the scapus 

 or flower stalk be just discerned making its way to the top, the 

 water should cover the whole of that part whence the fibres pro- 

 ceed. It must be soft or rain water, and requires changing as 

 often as it becomes offensive, which generally occurs in about 

 ten days after the putting in, and afterwards varies from a fort- 

 night to three weeks. 



They should be placed in a situation where the light is not very 

 strong, and unless for forcing, where there is no artificial heat. 

 The mantle-piece of a room in which there is a fire, must be 

 avoided, for nothing tends more to cause a deterioration in the 

 bells, and to produce an unmanageable tall stem. 



Time will not permit me to add more now, as I wish to trans- 

 mit this in time for insertion in the next number of your Work, 

 and my concluding observations on the culture of Hyacinths hi 

 beds or pots, shall, if it meet your concurrence, appear in the 

 November Number. 



H.L. 



Islington, 14th Sept, 1858. 



[We feel much obliged by the kindness of our correspondent, 

 and shall feel additionally so, to receive the other remarks 

 as soon as convenient.] 



