On the Cultivation of Hyacinths. 419 



ensue. All complaints arise from this cause ; and if cheap 

 bulbs are cultivated, cheap looking flowers must also repay 

 amateurs for their care. 



JManagcment in Glasses. — The bulbs may be put in the 

 glasses any time from October to January ; when a succes- 

 sion of flowers is wanted, they may be put in every fortnight. 

 Place in the bulbs, and then fill up with water just so that 

 the bottoms of each will be immersed an eighth of an inch ; 

 then put the glasses in a dark cool room until the roots have 

 protruded a half an inch, or so, which is generally in about 

 ten days. They should then be exposed to the sun, light 

 and air, as much as possible. If they receive the sun on one 

 side only, turn them round every two or three days to pre- 

 vent their growing crooked. Change the water once a week; 

 if the glasses get very dirty, draw out the roots carefully, 

 and give them a thorough washing. The water should not 

 be allowed to freeze. Any pure water will do ; but rain 

 water is the best. 



After bulbs are grown in water, they are not worth saving; 

 as it will take three or four years to recover their strength. 



Management in Pots. — To bloom hyacinths to perfection, 

 the pots should be seven inches in diameter and ten inches 

 deep; plant only one in each pot ; it is almost unnecessary 

 to say, that it is folly to expect to procure fine flowers from 

 a bulb in a pot scarcely large enough to hold a crocus. Put 

 in some broken potshreds in each pot ; fill them up with the 

 soil before recommended, and place in the bulb, just cover- 

 ing it; give the pot a gentle knock to settle the soil. Select 

 a dry spot in the garden, and dig a hole eighteen inches 

 deep; place in the pots, and cover them up with the earth 

 six or more inches in depth; upon the approach of frost, 

 cover them with dry leaves, sea-weed or hay. They should 

 all be planted at one period, during the month of November. 



Two or more pots can be taken up at any time throughout 

 the winter, thus giving a succession of flowers from January 

 until April. If there is no garden to place the pots in, they 

 should be put in a box in a cool cellar, and covered with 

 earth in the same manner. This is the method we have 

 practised, and have never failed in blooming them well. 

 We have had the main stems of some single ones eighteen 

 inches high, with upwards o{ fifty hells., forming a pyramid of 

 flowers more than twelve inches in height. It cannot be sup- 

 posed that a bulb, set in a pot and immediately forced into 

 growth, will flower strong; they must acquire roots first to 

 support the foliage. 



When they are in flower, give them plenty of water, by 

 placing pans under the pots, and keeping them constantly 

 filled. We have seen manure water recommended, but we 



