DUTCH BULBS. 183 



But even the gorgeous varieties of this species are ex- 

 ceeded in beauty and brilliancy of color by the little blue Ame- 

 thyst Hyacinth of Europe. The color of this azure gem can- 

 not be described. It is the most pellucid amethystine blue. 

 The flower is small and drooping, and exquisitely fragrant. 

 This little bulb is perfectly hardy, and should be more 

 common in our gardens. In growing the hyacinth for 

 winter bloom, a succession may be maintained by planting 

 a few bulbs every week, from November or earlier, until 

 Christmas. Those first planted will bloom soon after New 

 Year's, and a continuous bloom may be had until the 

 flowers bloom in April in the open air. 



There are, also, many modes of growth, 



IN POTS. 



A deep pot grows the bulbs far better than a shallow 

 one. These are called bulb pots, and may be procured at 

 about the cost of common pots. Fill in an inch of pot- 

 sherds, then a few small pieces of charcoal. Prepare a 

 compost of rich yellow turfy loam, one part ; well-decom- 

 posed cow manure, one part ; coarse, clean sand, one half 

 part. Fill the pots with this, and pot the bulbs, leaving 

 the crown about half an inch above the surface of the soil ; 



