The Culture of Flowering Bulbs 



remark that the mere size of a Hyacinth bulb is no criterion of its 

 value nor, indeed, is its neatness of form or brightness of appear- 

 ance. The two most important qualities are soundness and density. 

 If the bulbs are hard and heavy in proportion to their size, they may 

 be depended on to produce good flowers of their kind. The bulbs 

 of some sorts are never large or handsome, while, on the other hand, 

 many sorts partake of both these qualities in an eminent degree. 



Culture in Pots. It is not necessary to employ large pots, or 

 pots of a peculiar shape, for Hyacinths. There is nothing better than 

 common flower-pots, and in those of 6o-size single bulbs may be 

 flowered in a most satisfactory manner. The pots usually employed 

 are the 48- and 32-sizes, the last-named being required only for 

 selected bulbs grown for exhibition. We advise the use of small pots 

 where Hyacinths are grown in pits and frames for decorative purposes, 

 because they can be conveniently placed in ornamental stands, or 

 packed close together in baskets of moss, when required for the 

 embellishment of the drawing-room. A rich, light soil is indis- 

 pensable, and it should consist chiefly of turfy loam, with leaf-mould 

 and a liberal allowance of sharp sand. The mixture ought to be in 

 a moderately moist condition when ready for use. In small pots 

 one hollow crock must suffice, but the 48- and 32-sized pots can be 

 prepared in the usual way, with one large hollow crock, and a little 

 heap of smaller potsherds or nodules of charcoal over it. Fill the 

 pots quite full of soil, and then press the bulb into it, and press the 

 soil round the bulb to finish the operation. If potted loosely, they 

 will not thrive ; if potted too firmly, they will rise up as soon as they 

 begin to grow, and be one-sided. In large pots the bulbs should be 

 nearly covered with soil, but in small pots they must be only half 

 covered, in order to afford them the largest possible amount of root- 

 room. When potted, a cool place must be found for them, and 

 unless they go absolutely dry, they should not have a drop of water 

 until they begin to grow freely and are in the enjoyment of full day- 

 light. The pots may be stored in a dark, cool pit, or any out- 

 of-the-way place where neither sun, nor frost, nor heavy rains will 

 affect them ; but it is advisable to plunge them in coal-ashes and 

 also to cover them with a few inches of the ashes. As to their 

 removal, they must be taken out as wanted for forcing, and certainly 

 before they push up their flower spikes, as they will do if they remain 

 in the bed too long. The cultivator will be guided in respect of their 

 removal from the bed by circumstances ; but when they are removed, 

 a distinct routine of treatment must be observed, or the flowering 



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