216 ON THE HYACINTH. 



nary pains to produce a good bloom, and can, therefore, the more 

 confidently suggest a few hints respecting the culture of it. It has 

 always appeared to me, as well as to many with whom I have con- 

 versed upon the subject, to be a matter of regret that compara- 

 tively so little attention should be bestowed on this flower : the 

 Tulip has numerous fanciers, and so have Carnations and Auri- 

 culas, whilst the Hyacinth, though not inferior in beauty seems as 

 to blooming it hi beds to be too generally neglected, and yet a 

 more beautiful object amongst all those which attract the eye in 

 a flower garden is rarely seen, the effect produced by a glance at 

 an assemblage of so beautiful a flower, especially when well ar- 

 ranged, is dazzling, and a close inspection will be found to increase 

 the gratification derived therefrom, added to which the fragrance 

 emitted by them is peculiarly sweet, and is not surpassed by the 

 Mignionette or the Tuberose. 



The most eligible part of a garden for abed is that with a sou- 

 thern aspect, and considerably distant from trees and large shrubs, 

 as the droppings to which plants beneath are subjected, prove ex- 

 tremely prejudicial ; the season for planting is during this and 

 the following month, the precise time being indicated by the ap- 

 pearance of the root itself, which I noticed in my remarks that 

 were inserted in the last Number, a repetition of it therefore is un- 

 necessary. The portion appropriated should be excavated to the 

 depth of about two feet, the earth at the bottom loosened and 

 rendered fine to about six inches deeper, and then raked smooth, 

 this process will take but little time, and may be attended with 

 advantage, the hollow should then be filled with the following 

 compost ; one-third of good garden earth, one-third of sea or 

 river sand, as coarse as can be obtained; one-fourth rotten dung, 

 about three years old : and the remainder vegetable mould. 



The earth used in the compost will require minute examination, 

 in order that vermin may be exterminated, of which the most de- 

 structive, and the most likely to elude detection, is the yellow 

 wire -worm. 



When preparing the compost, let its several parts be well mixed, 

 this should be performed, a few weeks before it is needed, and 

 will require turning over several times. After the bed is filled 

 , up add more compost till it is raised three or four inches above 

 the walk in front, and let the height of the back part be an ad- 

 ditional six inches, so as to form a slope to the south, a layer of 

 sea or river sand, one inch thick, should be spread over the sur- 



