SEPTEMBER: FIFTH WEEK 249 



Hyacinths for Forcing 



Some of the best varieties of hyacinths for forcing are La 

 Grandesse, and L'Innocence, and Madame Van der Hoop, 

 (early) all pure white. Among the red shades are Baron 

 Van Thuyll, Gertrude, Gigantea and Robert Steiger; 

 City of Harlem, yellow, and King of the Yellows; and 

 Czar Peter and Grand Maitre, light blue and deep blue 

 respectively, and Queen of the Blues, make a dozen sorts, 

 giving a good range of color. These are all large singles. 

 The double sorts may be forced, but usually they do not give 

 as satisfactory results, and to most people, are not nearly 

 as attractive in appearance as the single sorts. A hya- 

 cinth at best is a stiff and artificial looking flower, but the 

 double varieties are even more so than the single. The 

 Roman hyacinths, are quite distinct from any of the above, 

 and much more graceful, sending up many stalks from a 

 blub. It is wonderfully fragrant. It is one of the easiest 

 of all bulbs to force and is the earliest, flowering by Thanks- 

 giving if started early in September. It may be had in 

 pale pink and blue shades as well as in the white, but the 

 latter is the universal favorite. 



Narcissi and Tulips for Forcing 



Among the Narcissi, the two that are the best known 

 and should be found in succession throughout the winter 

 in every window garden, are Paper White and the Chinese 

 Sacred Lily; both are too well known to need description; 

 the latter is universally grown in pebbles and water. The 

 Paper White is usually forced in soil like the other bulbs, 

 but will give equally good results and will come into bloom 

 much sooner when treated in the same way as the sacred 

 lily. Along with these should be mentioned the new Nar- 

 cissus Poetaz Hybrids. This beautiful new race lends it- 

 self readily to forcing, either in pots or in pebbles. Of the 

 "Trumpet" sorts, the Trumpet Major is one of the surest 

 and earliest and may be had in flower by Christmas. Hors- 



