»» THE AMATEUE'S GREENHOUSE 



a layer of crocks in the bottom. Put one bulb in each pot ; 

 press the soil slightly firm in the pots, and when they are filled 

 to within an inch of the rim, insert the bulbs and fill the soil 

 firmly about them. The neck of the bulb should show just 

 above the soil. "When they are simply placed on the surface 

 with a little loose soil about them, the weight of the spike will 

 probably topple them over. The soil should be used in a 

 moderately moist condition, and then no water will be neces- 

 sary until they come from the plunge beds. When all are 

 potted, make up a good bed of coal-ashes and stand the pots 

 upon it. This done, turn a small sixty-pot over each bulb, and 

 cover with coal-ashes, spent hops, or cocoa-nut-fibre refuse, to 

 the depth of six or eight inches. Here they should remain for 

 five or six weeks, and then be brought into the forcing-house 

 as wanted. The young growth must be inured to the light in 

 a gradual manner, and the plants kept near the glass. After 

 they are well started into growth, water liberally, and let them 

 have a breath of fresh air during the warmest part of the day ; 

 but it must be admitted without chilling the tender growth. 



The bulbs must not be left in the plunge bed long enough 

 for the foliage to grow long and become blanched. Therefore, 

 when the flowers are not wanted until late in the spring, lift 

 them out of the plunging material and place them in a cold 

 frame or pit, where light and air will have free access to them. 

 Those for early flowering must not be exposed to a great heat, 

 or the flower-spikes and foliage will be drawn up weak and 

 spindly ; and at all times keep as close to the glass as possible, 

 because neat, properly-developed foliage, that will maintain an 

 erect position without support, is nearly of as much importance 

 as good spikes of flowers. 



It is a waste of time to pot hyacinth bulbs a second season, 

 and, therefore, to secure an annual display there must be an 

 annual purchase. But the bulbs may be turned to good account 

 in another way. When the flowering is over, put them in a cold 

 pit or frame and take reasonable care of them until they are 

 beginning to die down. Then plant them all out without 

 breaking the roots in the shrubbery or hedgerows and forget 

 them ; they will in time remind you of their existence and 

 supply you with welcome garlands of bright and fragrant 

 flowers. 



Htpoxis. — This genus of Cape bulbs supplies a few choice 



