HYACINTHS. 57 



they should be supported by having small sticks, or wires, 

 painted green, stuck into the ground back of the bulb, to which 

 they should be neatly tied ; otherwise, they are liable to fall 

 down by the weight of the bells, and, as the stem is very brittle, 

 it is sometimes broken off when exposed to storms. 



The most suitable time to plant Hyacinths is in October and 

 November. The finer sorts will appear to the best advantage 

 in beds, while the more common varieties may be distributed 

 about the borders where most convenient. The dimensions of 

 the bed should be marked out, and the soil taken entirely away 

 to the depth of two feet ; the earth on the bottom should then 

 be dug and well pulverized, and the space above filled with the 

 following compost : 



" One third river or sea sand; one third fresh, sound earth ; 

 one fourth rotten cow dung, at least two years old ; and one 

 twelfth of earth, of decayed leaves, or decayed peat. The fresh, 

 sound earth of the compost should be of the best quality of 

 what is called virgin soil, or that obtained from pastures or the 

 roadside, well rotted; or, if that is not obtainable, the best garden 

 mould, free from noxious vermin of every description. These 

 ingredients should be well mixed and incorporated a considera- 

 ble time before wanted. About ten days before planting, the 

 bed should be filled up with the compost, even with the path, 

 or so as to be even when the roots are set. The surface of the 

 bed should be raked perfectly smooth before planting, and the 

 exact situation for every bulb marked on it as follows : 



RBWRBWRBW 

 WRBWRBWRB 



RBWRBWRBW 

 WRBWRBWRB 



RBWRBWRBW 

 WRBWRBWRB 



The letters R, B, w, denote the color of the flower to be planted 

 there, viz., red, blue, or white ; under these heads, all Hya- 



