APRIL] FLOWER GARDEN. 355 



front : for the support of the awning, a strong frame of wood should 

 be erected, ten feet high in the centre, and seven feet at each side, 

 and covered with strong sheeting, which will keep out the rain and 

 admit a tolerable degree of light ; it should come down close to the 

 bed on the north side, in order to preserve it from cold winds, which 

 are prejudicial to the bloom. 



The covering ought to be so constructed by means of lines and pul- 

 leys, as to be easily and expeditiously rolled up or let down, as occa- 

 sion requires, to afford the plants the full benefit of light and air at 

 all favorable opportunities ; that is to say, when the air is mild, and 

 light clouds intervene, so as to blunt the sun's rays. 



A bed of hyacinths never requires to be watered at any period ; 

 the rains that happen after planting are generally more than sufficient 

 both for the roots and bloom; and after the bloom is over, they are 

 rather prejudicial than otherwise, except when very moderate. 



Although covering in the manner described presents and exhibits 

 the bloom to the greatest advantage, yet it evidently has a tendency 

 to weaken and injure the bulbs, and ought not, therefore, to be con- 

 tinued more than two or three weeks at most ; but as soon as the 

 general bloom declines, the bed should be immediately exposed to 

 the open air, and the hoops replaced as before, that mats may be laid 

 on occasionally for protecting the beds from heavy torrents of rain, 

 which would prevent the bulbs from ripening well, and render them 

 very subject to decay after having been taken up. 



The common hyacinths in open beds and borders, will require no 

 other care at this time than to support their flower stems, as directed 

 above, without which they will generally fall down, and much of 

 their beauty be lost. 



The stem should be strong, tall, and erect, supporting numerous 

 large bells, each suspended by a short and strong peduncle, or foot- 

 stalk, in a horizontal position, so that the whole may have a compact 

 pyramidal form, with the crown or uppermost bell, perfectly erect. 



The bells should be large and very double ; that is, well filled with 

 broad bold petals, appearing to the eye rather convex than flat or 

 hollow : they should occupy about one-half the length of the stem. 



The colors should be clear and bright, whether plain red, white, 

 or blue, or variously intermixed or diversified in the eye ; the latter, 

 it must be confessed, gives additional lustre and elegance to this 

 beautiful flower. 



Strong bright colors are, in general, preferred to such as are pale; 

 there are, however, many rose-colored, pure white, and light blue 

 hyacinths, in high estimation. 



Observations. Some sorts consist of petals of different colors, 

 such as light reds, with deep red eyes ; whites, with rosy, blue, pur- 

 ple, or yellow eyes ; light blues, with deep blue or purple eyes; and 

 yellow, with purple in the eye, &c. Others again have their petals 

 striped or marked down the centre with a paler or deeper color, which 

 has a pleasing effect. 



