ON THE DEEP INTKRMENT OF CHOICE HYACINTHS. 15 



influence of air, light, and moisture (three at least of the great stimu- 

 lants of vegetation), the more entirely will such hulb be thrown upon 

 its own resources, and the force of its innate vitality be directed to 

 the vigorous and luxuriant development of radicle — a condition amply 

 explanatory of the advantages insisted upon, and which become so 

 remarkably conspicuous in the subsequent period of bloom and beauty. 



Again, it will be found that the further the pot has been removed 

 from the surface, the bulb will not only have rooted more extensively, 

 but the greater will also be the diameter, and the less the advance, of 

 the rising bouton. 



Fully convinced, therefore, of the truth and soundness of these 

 principles, and having been always satisfied with the result, when 

 they have been properly carried out, I can confidently recommend the 

 following procedure to the adoption of amateurs for the successful 

 flowering of the Hyacinth. 



About the last week in October proper sized pots are to be selected 

 and effectually drained ; these are then to be filled with light, sandy, 

 maiden loam, the argillaceous kinds being studiously avoided. Strong 

 pressure shoidd then be made in the centre by a convex ball of wood, 

 somewhat larger than the bulbs ; and into this depression should be 

 placed a corresponding portion of an equal mixture of dry rotten 

 dung, sifted, and fine white sand ; herein are the bulbs to be firmly 

 implanted. The strict observance of this double pressure is, from 

 well-known reasons, a valuable element in the success of the operation. 

 The bulbs should not be wholly immersed ; a third part may be -well 

 left uncovered with compost. The pots being thus prepared, a pit, 

 from four to six feet in depth, is to be dug in any convenient and 

 dry ground ; and the pots, having been duly arranged therein, are 

 first to be covered with a thin layer of straw, and over this may be 

 placed a lattice-work of pea-sticks, as precautionary indications upon 

 their removal. The pit is then filled in. On the 20th or 25th of 

 January the pots are to be carefully disinterred, when, should the 

 bulbs have been originally good and strong, they will be found to 

 have completely filled their pots with roots, and presenting a finely- 

 developed bouton, indicative of the favourable auspices under which 

 they will now throw up their scape. 



There can be little doubt that several other bulbous genera might 

 be very advantageously treated on the same principle. I have found 



