66 ON THE CULTURE OF DUTCH BULBS IN POTS. 



and placing the bulb on the top, gently, though firmly, press it 

 down till within a quarter of an inch of the top. Care must be taken 

 not to press with sufficient violence to injure the bulbs, yet it must 

 be left firm in the pot, for on these two things much depends as to 

 their future success. After they are potted, and named or num- 

 bered, place them in an old cucumber or melon frame, prepared 

 after the following manner. Take out the soil, and lay upon the 

 dung about two inches thick of ashes ; level and make them very 

 solid ; on the top lay a quantity of sifted ashes, in which 

 plunge the pots, making the ashes as firm round them as possible. 

 When this is finished, cover the whole to the depth of eight or ten 

 inches with light diy soil. Always choose a dry day for the purpose, 

 and let every thing be dry that is used about plunging. Give air 

 at all times, excepting in heavy rains, snows, or frosts, when the 

 lights must be put on, and, if very severe, mats must be added. 



In January take them out of the frame, wash the pots, convey 

 them to the stove for flowering, supplying them with water at all 

 times when required, and air when necessary, which will assist 

 them in flowering strong. As the scapus, or flower stalks, advance 

 in growth, tie them carefully, and not too tight up, to neat green or 

 white sticks, with bass mat finely twisted. When the flowers 

 begin to open, remove them to the conservatory or greenhouse, 

 where they will almost turn dreary winter into gaudy summer by 

 their delightful fragrance and varied appearance. Crocuses planted 

 four or five in a pot, and treated as above, look exceedingly well 

 when in flower. 



If it is not convenient to make a compost purposely for them, as 

 is sometimes the case, old cucumber soil may be used when made 

 lighter or richer with dung or sand, according as it may require, and 

 will answer very well. If Mr. Denton will next season adopt the 

 above method, no doubt but he will prove successful ; and if Mr. 

 D. wishes any further information respecting the culture of Dutch 

 Bulbs in pots, I will with pleasure answer his queries through the 

 medium of the Cabinet. 



I subjoin a list of a few kinds which answer very well when 

 treated as above. 



Hyacinths. — 1. Henri de Prussie, double blue. 2. Alamode, 

 double white. 3. Waterloo, double red. 4. Madame Zoutman, 

 double red. 5. Groot Vorst, double red. 6. Ophir, double yellow. 



