PLANTING BULBS IN THE YARD 53 



HYACINTHS 



The single varieties of hyacinths are best for bedding. 

 As with tulips, care must be taken to select varieties 

 that are of nearly uniform height and that bloom at the 

 same time. The colors must have shades that will admit 

 of artistic grouping. Tulip bulbs hold first rank for 

 school-yard planting, on account of their brilliant colors 

 and moderate cost, but if the same beds are in use from 

 year to year, hyacinths will give an agreeable change. 

 Pupils should become familiar with their culture, 

 although this may be accomplished with beds smaller 

 than those intended for the principal ornamental beds. 

 A small circular space that will contain two dozen 

 bulbs will serve the purpose as well as a larger one. 



Spade up the soil to a depth of twelve inches and 

 work in two inches of well-rotted manure, which must 

 be well mixed with the soil, so that lumps of coarse 

 material will not come in contact with the plants. Plant 

 the bulbs seven inches apart, with the tops six inches 

 below the surface of the soil. 



Hyacinths may be planted from the latter part of 

 September until winter sets in. If there should be a 

 time when the ground is not frozen, they may be planted 

 during the winter, provided the bulbs are in good con- 

 dition. Those planted in the fall will form roots imme- 

 diately and make an earlier growth, while the bulbs put 

 in during the winter will make roots in the spring and 

 "bloom later than the fall-planted ones. 



