I0 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



two hundred varieties are subjects of extensive commerce. 

 The Hyacinth is a universal favorite in the most extended 

 application of the word. The number of its varieties is 

 now fully equal to that of any other florist's flower. They 

 are largely grown for forcing into flower in the dull, 

 cheerless months of winter and early spring, when their 

 delicately-colored flowers and rich fragrance lend a charm 

 to be found in nothing else. 



FORCING. 



For forcing, the bulbs should be potted about the mid- 

 dle of September in five or six inch pots in rich, light 

 earth, and placed in a cold frame or under a wall, 

 where they can be covered with wooden shutters, or some 

 similar contrivance, to keep off heavy rains. In either 

 case they should be covered a foot thick with hay or 

 leaves ; and being once well watered after potting, they 

 may be left for a month to form their roots, when the 

 most forward should be brought out, and after re-potting 

 into larger pots, according to the apparent strength of 

 the bulbs, should be placed in a temperature of about 

 50. Some care is necessary in the application and in- 

 crease of heat, or the flowers will be abortive. It should 

 not exceed 50 for tho first three weeks, but afterward 

 may be increased gradually to 60 or 65; and if the pots 

 are plunged into bottom heat the same careful increase 

 should be observed, or the points of the roots will infal- 

 libly be killed. One-third the depth of the pot is fully 

 sufficient at first, and if the heat is brisk they should not 

 be plunged more than half way at any time. When the 

 flower stems have risen to nearly their full height, and 

 the lower flowers of the spike are beginning to expand, 

 the plants should be removed to a lower temperature, 



