Gloxinia Hyacinth 



kept near the glass, as they depend much on light for rapid and 

 luxuriant growth. A moist atmosphere, with the temperature about 

 60 to 65, greatly facilitates the growth of Gloxinias, but they may 

 be grown well in greenhouses or in pits heated by hot water. The 

 most suitable soil is a light fibrous loam, combined with a little peat 

 and silver sand. Manure water during the growing period twice a 

 week is helpful, but it should be discontinued when the flowers show 

 colour. The plants love shade, and at no time should suffer from 

 drought. Storing Gloxinias for their season of rest, i.e. the winter, 

 must be carefully attended to, as losses frequently occur during this 

 stage. It is also important that the plants should not be * dried off' 

 too quickly ; place them in a light, airy position, and by a gradual 

 reduction of moisture the leaves will fall off naturally. The bulbs 

 may then be stored away on a shelf, in an even temperature of 

 about 50, each bulb being closely surrounded by cocoa-nut fibre 

 and peat in equal parts to prevent excessive dryness, which, like 

 too much damp, often causes the loss of the bulb. 



Besides growing the same plants from year to year, it is always 

 desirable to have a fresh stock coming on, as the old bulbs may 

 deteriorate after two or three years. This can easily be managed 

 by successive sowings of seed, as advised at page 246. 



HEMEROCALLIS -^ under LILIES,/^ 309 



HYACINTH 



ONE of the most valuable characteristics of the Hyacinth is the ease 

 with which it can be flowered in a variety of ways by very simple 

 modes of treatment. It may be employed as a hardy, rough-weather 

 plant for the garden border, or as a grand exhibition and conservatory 

 flower. The bulbs may be planted at any time from September to the 

 middle of December, with the certainty of their blooming well, if pro- 

 perly cared for ; but the prudent cultivator will plant them as early as 

 possible in the autumn, and so manage them afterwards as to secure the 

 longest period of growth previous to their flowering. They can be 

 forced to flower at Christmas, but the more slowly the flowers are 

 developed the finer in the end will they be. To obtain good bulbs 

 is a matter of the utmost importance, and it may be useful here to 



299 



