404 On the Cultivation of Hi/acintks. 



Art. II. On the Cultivation of Hyacinths. 

 By the Conductor. 



In a previous article (vol. I, p. 418,) we have given a few 

 hints upon the proper management of hyacinths in pots and glas- 

 ses. Our present purpose is, to offer a few brief observations 

 upon their cultivation in beds in the open garden. 



Hyacinths are so beautiful a flower, and so exquisitely odo- 

 riferous, that there is no necessity of here urging their great 

 claims upon the care of the amateur gardener. The Dutch are 

 deservedly notorious for their fine collections: they have been 

 cultivated by them for an immense length of time, and are still 

 held in very high estimation. In some towns and cities of Hol- 

 land thousands of bulbs are annually sold, and numerous quan- 

 tities annually exported to various parts of the world. It is the 

 great mart from whence all, or a greater part, that are cultivated, 

 are procured. The Dutch are, we believe, the only persons 

 who have ever attempted the raising of new varieties in any 

 great number; their catalogues now contain some hundred differ- 

 ent sorts, and new ones are continually being produced. 



In their cultivation the Dutch greatly excel; and it has been 

 stated that bulbs could not be grown equal in size to theirs, 

 even among the most skilful of the British florists. That their 

 climate and soil is well adapted to their cultivation is well known; 

 but that they cannot be grown with as good success, either in 

 this country or in England, is a fallacious idea. We have our- 

 selves grown as good hyacinth roots as we ever saw imported 

 from Holland, and the Hon. and Rev. Wm. Herbert, in a paper 

 in the Horticultural Transactions, states that he has raised those 

 equal, if not superior, and adds "that, with care, he is con- 

 vinced that the London nurserymen, who will take the trouble, 

 can produce hyacinth bulbs equal if not superior to the Dutch." 

 But the remark that the bulbs cannot be grown to any perfec- 

 tion, only by the Dutch florists, has been so generally believed 

 as being founded on experience, that few have ever attempted 

 their cultivation; this, together with the certainty of always pro- 

 curing good bulbs from the seedsmen, at reasonable prices, has 

 prevented gardeners from relying upon their own product for an 

 annual supply. 



The Dutch have published various works upon the cultivation 

 of the hyacinth, and other bulbs; but the most celebrated of 

 them is that of St. Simon, which appeared in 1768, entitled 

 Des Jacintes. In this work full directions are given for their 

 management: from it we learn that the soil best adapted to their 

 growth is composed of rotten cow-dung, decayed leaves and fine 

 sand. In procuring the leaves preference is given to the softer 



