H Y A 



315 



" As soon as severe weather com- entering 

 mences, all the beds are covered over Chron. 

 about eight inches deep with reeds, so 

 as to prevent the frost penetrating them 



and 



HYA 



purifying it." — Card. 



Growing in Pots. — The latest and 

 best directions we have on this point 



As soon as the frost is gone, the reeds are the following : — "Give them enough 

 are taken off, and the beds are coated space to grow in, without starving their 

 with a mixture of cow-dung and water, roots. The easiest way to do this is to 



" .-•-- -■ -- ■■ a ; — -"-J .">-v-. ^.^^ J .,„ ^« ....... ..> ..v, 



to prevent the light sandy soil being have pots made of a deeper shape than 

 blown away by the wind. | those in common use. 



" The flowers having opened, and 

 being in perfection, are all cut off, to 

 give greater strength to the bulbs 



" By this simple arrangement the 

 roots have sufficient nourishment, while 

 the pots take up no more space on the 

 stand than at present. An inch or two 

 of very rotten cow-dung may be put at 

 the bottom of the pots to promote the 

 richness of colours and perfume of the 

 flowers. Three or four bulbs may be 

 planted in the same pot ; but the latter 

 should be sufficiently large, and of the 

 requisite depth ; twice the diameter of 

 the top is a good proportion. 



Fig 92. 



Taking up and Stoi'ing. — " In July, 

 the bulbs are taken up, and the leaves 

 being pulled off, they are laid down 

 regularly, each bulb on the side, so as 

 to prevent the roots growing again ; 

 after this they are covered over with 

 dry soil, one inch above the bulbs, and 

 remain in this state for about a fort- 

 night, to separate the roots and loose 

 skins easily from the bulbs. Great 

 care must be taken during this time 

 that no injury be done to the bulbs by 

 the sun ; attention should therefore be 

 paid to keep them well covered over. 

 When taken from this situation, the 

 bulbs are exposed for a few hours to 

 the sun, and kept continually moving 

 with a large brush, to prevent their 

 being scorched ; by which means they 

 get that glossy appearance always ob- 

 served in imported bulbs." — Gard. 

 Chron. 



•' After this management the bulbs 

 require a few weeks' drying in the ' 



warehouse ; for which purpose they \ " Lastly, after the bloom is over, put 

 are laid out on platforms, raised a foot those which are fine varieties, and worth 



and a half above each other, which 

 enables us to look them over occasion- 

 ally, though this is done principally 

 that they may have a good circulation 

 of air between them. The windows 



preserving, in some warm and light 

 place; the top shelf of a hot-house, 

 green-house, or vinery, close to the 

 glass, is the most preferable. There 

 they will require no more care nor 



are opened every day on both sides of watering ; and after the leaves wither, 

 the warehouse — for the more air and they may be sorted, and lie by until 



wind we arc able to give, the better — 

 that they may be dried and be ready to 

 be packed." — Gard. Chron. 



Frost. — "Frost," says Mr. Home, 

 " is detrimental only when it comes in 

 contact with the bulbs ; tlierefore they 

 should be protected in proportion to its 



the planting season returns. 



" If these points are attended to hya- 

 cinths will sufler but little from forcing, 

 and will flower again the next year." — 

 Gard. Chron. 



Another equally good authority says 

 — " Grow three bulbs in each pot — up- 



-,_ ,,. ... , — ,,„...„.. ..„ ..„ ^ _ - - ^ , 



intensity. Those who have bulbs of right pots, at least six inches clear in- 

 great value may lay thin planks of side. After planting, put them in a 

 wood over the surface when the frost is frame properly drained at the bottom, 

 very intense ; but care must be taken not and slightly protected at the sides, and 

 to cover them too deep, especially with plunge them in rotten tan, covering the 

 the leaves of trees, because these co- j tan over them at least four inches. In 

 verings retain the vapour which arises very hard weather, a mat to be thrown 

 from the soil, and hinder the air from | over them, otherwise no covering at 



