•2~-2 ON THE Cri.TURF. OF THE HYACINTH. 



I was glad to observe, in the November Cabinet, that Messrs. 

 Lockharts recommend the growing of single-flowering kinds ; they 

 most assuredly merit every attention. 



In the open-bed culture, the following is the mode of treatment 

 I pursue with both single and double kinds, and which succeed to 

 admiration : — 



The bed is prepared as for the tulip. The surface is raised near 

 a foot above the level of the surrounding ground, and an edging of 

 green turf supports the sides. 



The compost is composed of one-third of fine river sand,, one-third 

 of virgin earth, and one-third of manure or leaf soil (well decomposed), 

 all well mixed together. 



In the bed the bulbs are planted in fives, arranged like the spots 

 of a playing card. These, too, are placed in regular lines : due atten- 

 tion, too, is paid to an arrangement in contrasting and harmonising 

 the colours. 



The period at which I plant is the first fortnight of October, as 

 weather permits. The bulbs are placed six inches deep, after being 

 covered over by the compost. I lay over the bed two inches deep of 

 well-rotted manure. As soon as frost sets in, the bed is covered 

 four inches deep with leaves or dry litter, and a slight sprinkling of 

 earth is spread over it to prevent its being blown away. At the 

 return of spring the entire covering is removed, and the spaces 

 between the plants are carefully lightened up, and about two inches 

 deep of fresh mould is spread over the whole. 



Early in April the plants bloom ; and, in order to prolong the 

 period of beauty, canvass coverings are used to prevent injury from 

 the sun or rain ; but which, being fixed on rollers, are easily removed 

 at pleasure; so that all the air, when not sun or rain, can be ad- 

 mitted. 



When the bloom is over, all the flower-stems are cut off except 

 those that are desired to retain for seed. The time of gathering the 

 seed is when it is black and ready to escape the ovaries. 



When the leaves are dry and yellow, the bulbs are taken up and 

 placed carefullv by, and covered with a layer of dry sand, about two 

 inches deep. In this position they are allowed to dry for about 

 three weeks; this prevents them shrivelling up. They are then 

 placed on shelves, in some dry and airy place. When quite dry, 



