HARDY PLANTS FORCING 411 



planted out of doors, but the Dutch are usually selected 

 instead. 



677. Character of beds suited for hyacinths, and their 

 location. Hyacinths are, as a rule, more satisfactory 

 when grown in geometrical beds. The flowering habit is 

 formal, and these bulbs therefore lend themselves to 

 planting in round beds or beds of different shapes, better 

 than in irregular borders. While there are hundreds of 

 varieties of hyacinths, the best effects are obtained by 

 planting in solid colors. Contrasting effects are pleasing, 

 but different varieties should be carefully selected, for 

 there is a wide range of tune in their season of bloom. 

 The heights should also be the same. Single hyacinths 

 for outdoor planting are more satisfactory than double 

 ones. An open, sunny location should be chosen for 

 beds. Hyacinths are especially pleasing about the bases 

 of statues in parks or about formal fountains. They are 

 less satisfactory on small lawns. 



678. Outdoor planting. In planting hyacinths out 

 of doors, a well-drained, medium light loam should be 

 used. Active fertilizer should never come directly in 

 contact with bulbs, for decay is sure to take place. It is 

 well to manure the beds in which bulbs are to be planted, 

 early in the spring, or some time before the bulbs are put 

 in. A liberal application of bone-meal is beneficial to 

 the growth of the bulbs and is in no way injurious. Al- 

 though the immature flower-cluster is formed in the bulb, 

 and there is sufficient plant food stored in the bulb tissue 

 to force it into bloom, the flower truss will be larger, and 

 the color more brilliant if a liberal supply of decayed 

 plant food is available. It should be below the bulb, but 

 within reach of the feeding roots. The soil should be 

 well spaded and thoroughly pulverized. It is recom- 



