WINDOW GARDENING 



139 



describe the various ways we have grown them, and leave the reader to make his 

 or her choice, as fancy may dictate. 



First, a few words upon the selection of Bulbs are highly necessary. It may 

 not be generally known that Hyacinths will not bloom icell but'once. In Hoi 

 land, where they are only grown for market, they are not allowed to flower 

 except in specimen beds, from the time the setts are planted until they are largi 

 enough to sell, which is usually when they are four years old. The flower-stall 

 is cut away as soon as it can be without damage to the foliage. This throws thi 

 whole strength of the plant into the bulb, which is kept growing until there ii 

 danger of its breaking, which the 

 practiced eye of the grower readi- 

 ly sees. Then it is sent to mar- 

 ket, and the next season will give 

 the finest possible bloom, after 

 which the old bulb will "break" 

 and several small ones form, noen 

 of which will ever do well enough 

 to pay for growing the second sea- 

 son. We do not wish to mislead ; 

 this instruction is only for those 

 who wish none but first rate flow- 

 ers. Bulbs planted in the open 

 border, after having bloomed in 

 pots, will continue to bloom a 

 number of years, but will give 

 small, puny spikes, with but a few 

 bells on each. 



To flower bulbs successfully 

 they should be procured as soon 

 as possible after their arrival from 

 Holland, which is generally about 

 the first of September, and imme- 

 diately potted in a soil composed 

 of equal parts of good loam, leaf 

 mould and well rotted cow man- 

 ure, which should be well mixed, 

 after which add about one-fifth of good clean sand. No soil can be better than this for 

 noble growth and bloom. The pots should be made on purpose ; not larger than five 

 inches across, nor less than eight inches deep ; fill the pot nearly full of the com- 

 post, and press the bulb firmly in, so that the top of the bulb is about level with 

 the top of the pot. After filling, they should' be plunged in a frame or open 

 border, and covered four inches with soil or some compost, where they should 

 remain until the first of December. This operation is highly necessary to 

 encourage the root growth, which must be made before the leaves shoot forth, for 



fj. 25. Princess Alexandra Jardinet. 



