160 DUTCH BULBS AND GARDENS 



pushes up in its growth. The pedicel is very delicate before 

 the blossom is formed, so that the slightest thing can easily 

 break it. When the single hyacinths are in bloom the 

 florists open their gardens to the public. A wonderful sight 

 presents itself on first entering the gardens, vistas of alleys 

 with flowers of every variety, and kind, and colour, cut by 

 borders and beds which contain each one kind of flower 

 only. Hyacinths are in the greatest number. Early tulips, 

 narcissi, anemones, and others are laid out in successive 

 order. The effect is surprising. Never, when they are once 

 selected and placed in position, does a grower ever touch his 

 bulbs again, he dare not disturb them once they are planted, 

 but if a bulb dies or refuses to grow they may possibly 

 embed a flower in a pot in its place ; it is even permitted to 

 put a flower like it in a glass vase close to the leaves of the 

 lost blossom, but they never attempt to take out a weak 

 or unsuccessful bulb in order to substitute another. The 

 flowers should be arranged according to gradation, that is, 

 the tall specimens behind ; the short in front ; the colours as 

 varied and as brilliant as possible. 



The beds have a much more brilliant effect if two flowers 

 of the same colour are put together, in pairs ; some plant 

 each kind thus, double, throughout the bed. The chief 

 thing in arranging flower-beds is to manage that all the 

 flowers should be out in full flower at the same time. It is a 

 very difficult art, but the Haarlem bulb growers are able to 

 accomplish it. Every bulb has its own particular habit of 

 growth, one will flower early and another late, there may be 

 the difference of a whole month between them. 



People come miles to see these gardens, which are in 

 bloom all April and part of May. Single hyacinths begin 

 flowering towards the end of March, and last in flower for 

 about twenty days, if the season be favourable. Single 

 hyacinth beds are usually placed alternately with double, 



