HUN 



314 



H YA 



believed by a few men of science, that j " The bells should occupy about one 

 this apotheme is the immediate fertil- half the length of the stem, with the 

 izing component of organic manures, uppermost bell erect, 

 being soluble under some circum- | " The flowers, whether whole-colour- 

 stances, and entering at once into the ed orstriped, should be clearand bright ; 

 roots of plants, dissolved in the mois- 

 ture of the soil. But every relative 

 research of more modern chemistry is 

 against this conclusion, and it is now 

 tolerably certain, that a chief nutritive _ , 



portion of vegetable manures are their i of offsets, cuts are made in the under 

 carbon converted into carbonic acid, part of the bulb, which, by proper 



those having a contrast of colour in the 

 centre are most esteemed." — Card. 

 Chron. 



Offsets. — " The hyacinth is increased 

 by offsets; but to multiply the number 



absorbed either in solution with the 

 earth's moisture, or in gaseous form by 

 the roots. Apotheme is only one of 

 the products formed during the progress 

 of putrefaction, and is in its turn a 

 source of carbonic acid. Carbonic acid 

 has been long since shown to be bene- 



management and a little care, will be 

 found filled with offsets next year." — 

 Card. Chron. 



Soil. — Mr. Mooy, of Haarlem, from 

 whose communication to the Garden- 

 er''s Chronicle this treatise on the cul- 

 ture of the hyacinth is principally taken, 



ficial if applTed to a plant's roots. It | says —" They require a fresh, well 



abounds in the sap of all vegetables 

 though this be drawn from their very 



drained sandy soil, free from lumps or 

 stones, and not mixed with any vege- 



lowest parts, whereas apotheme is in- | table matter." — Gard. Chron. 

 jurious to them if they are grown in a i Mr. Home, an equally good authori- 

 solution of it, and minutest analyzers , ty, adds, that " the hyacinth must never 

 have failed to detect it even within the be planted again in the same soil ; but 

 extreme vessels of roots. — Prin. 0/ 1 the ground should be allowed to rest 



Gard. 



HUNGARIAN LOTUS. Nymphcza 

 thermalis. 



HUNNEMANNIA fumariafoUa. 

 Half hardy herbaceous. Division. Com- 

 mon soil. 



HURDLES of iron are the most eli- 

 gible modes of fencing, whether for 

 permanency or temporary purposes. 

 They are invisible at a short distance, 

 elegant and durable. 



HUTCH INSIA. Seven species. 

 Hardy herbaceous alpines. Cuttings. 

 Sandy loam and peat. 



HYACINTHUS. Hyacinth. Five 

 species and as many varieties. Hardy 

 bulbs. Offsets. Sandy loam. The spe- 

 cies most commonly known is H. orien- 

 talis, the varieties of which are so 

 conspicuous in our borders and water 

 vases. 



Characteristics of Excellence. — "A 

 well grown hyacinth should be of a 

 compact pyramidal form, with a strong, 

 tall, and upright stem, supporting nu- 

 merous large bells, each attached by a 



for at least two or three years, or 

 should be cultivated with greens during 

 that time ; it should also be well mixed 

 again, before planting, with some old 

 cow-dung, especially if the soil is light 

 or sandy, as hyacinths are very fond of 

 that manure." — Gard. Chron. 



Moisture. — This being the most de- 

 structive agent against which the ama- 

 teur has to guard, great care should be 

 taken to protect hyacinths from it, by 

 selecting the most elevated spot in his 

 garden. If this is surrounded by a 

 shallow trench, a little distance oft, it 

 will be useful, and the bed should also 

 be raised seven or eight inches above 

 the ground level. 



Planting and Culture. — " The roots 



are planted in October, the soil being 



prepared by having pure cow-dung 



mixed with it one year previously to 



j the time of planting. We use a bar- 



rowful of dung per ten yards square. 



i The ground being measured into beds, 



! the soil is taken out of the first to the 



depth of five inches, and the bulbs are 



planted firmly on it, so that the under 



strong foot-stalk in a horizontal position ' part is well surrounded with the mould. 



to the stem 



"The bells should be perfectly dou- 

 ble, composed of broad, thick, waxy 

 petals, with the centre of the flower 

 raised, rendering the form convex. 



after which they are covered over with 

 the earth taken out of the next bed to 

 the same depth, which is then ready to 

 be planted, and this is pursued until the 

 whole of the beds arc completed. 



