80 FLOWERS AND THE FLOWER GARDEN. 



in damp sand, put them in the glasses in December, 

 let the water only just touch the bottom of the root, 

 and put the glasses away in a dark cupboard until the 

 rootlets are an inch long. When the plants grow, put 

 two drops of hartshorn in the water ; a piece of char- 

 coal in each glass, too, will do good. "When the water 

 gets thick, and wants renewing, pour it out very gently, 

 without disturbing the root, which should be carefully 

 held in its place the while. If, in spite of care, a long 

 root gets broken, raise the bulb and cut it off close to the 

 root with a sharp knife. "When the bulb is growing the 

 water should not quite reach it. Roots will flower only 

 once in glasses, but they often do in the beds after- 

 wards. 



For growing hyacinths in pots appropriate pots are 

 made, much deeper than those in general use. Plant 

 the roots in October in compost like that for the bed, 

 pressing it very firm under the bulb, and leaving the 

 crown above ground ; plunge them at least two inches 

 over head in tan or ashes, and as they are wanted for 

 ffower bring them into heat. If some are forced from a 

 month after plunging they will be ready for Christmas. 



Pansies require a tolerably light soil, made very rich. 

 The best is light loam and decayed turf from pasture land 

 thoroughly mixed, and one-third from a two years old 

 cucumber bed. Manure water, especially guano water, 

 may be applied while the plants are in flower. The 

 pansy bed should be in a spot sheltered from all cutting 

 wind, yet open and airy. It should have the morning, 

 and be sheltered from the mid-day sun, and the bed 

 should be well drained, so as never to get sodden. 



To obtain fine bloom for ornament or exhibition in 

 May or June, plants from cuttings struck the autumn 

 before will do best, and for blooming in autumn those 

 struck in the spring of the same year. "When these 

 plants have bloomed, keep them for making cuttings, as 

 the young plants always produce the finest flowers. 



Cuttings may be made in August, September, April, 

 and May, and the young side shoots are best for the 

 purpose. Plant them in light earth ? mixed with silver 



