80 FLOWER-GARDENINu. 



begins to freeze ; and then be placed in the green-house, or in 

 a room, exposed to the sun. They will need occasional, 

 moderate waterings, until they begin to grow. Then they 

 should have abundance of air in mild weather, and plenty of 

 water from the saucers, underneath the pots, while in a grow- 

 ing state ; and should be exposed, as much as possible, to the 

 sun, air, and light, to prevent the foliage from growing too 

 long, or becoming yellow. For this purpose, single Hyacinths, 

 and such as are designated earliest among the double, are to be 

 preferred. Single Hyacinths are by some held in less esteem 

 than double ones. Their colors, however, are more vivid, and 

 their bells, though smaller, are more numerous. Some of the 

 finer sorts are exquisitely beautiful. They are preferable for 

 flowering in winter, to most of the double ones, as they bloom 

 two or three weeks earlier, and are very sweet-scented. Roman 

 Narcissus, double Jonquils, Polyanthus Narcissus, double Nar 

 cissus, and Crocuses also make a fine appearance in the parlor 

 during winter. 



It is a remarkable circumstance of the Crocus, that it keeps 

 its petals expanded during tolerably bright candle or lamp 

 light, in the same manner as it does during the light of the 

 sun. If the candle be removed, the Crocus closes its petals, 

 as it does in a garden when a cloud obscures the sun ; and 

 when the artificial light is restored, they open again, as they 

 do with the return of the direct solar rays. 



Hyacinths and other bulbs intended for glasses should be 

 placed in them about the middle of November, the glasses 

 being previously filled with pure water, so that the bottom of 

 the bulb may just touch the water. Then place them for the 

 first ten days in a dark room, to promote the shooting of the 

 roots ; after which, expose them to the light and sun as much 

 as possible. They will blossom without the aid of the sun ; 

 but the colors of the flowers will be inferior. The water should 

 be changed as often as it becomes impure. Draw the roots 

 entirely out of the glasses, rinse the fibres in clean water, and 

 also the glasses inside. Care should be taken not to suffer the 



