448 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



7. Narcissus, White or the Poets', &c. A simple white 

 flower with a small edged cup in its centre. The Jonquile 

 Narcissus is yellow, and some of the varieties peculiar. Al- 

 most all are pretty and fragrant, whether single or double. 



8. Snow-drop, Galanthus Nivalis. A simple white flower, 

 of drooping ear-drop form, striped inside with green. It is 

 the earliest blossom of spring, and deserves extended cultiva- 

 tion. 



9. Star of Bethlehem, Ornithogalum Umbellatum. Anoth- 

 er early simple white flower streaked with green, blooming in 

 pretty large panicles. Common, but pretty ; sometimes wild. 



10. Tulip. See below. 



All hardy bulbs should be planted in the fall, in light rich 

 soil, rather sandy than otherwise, at from two to six inches 

 apart, according to their size, and from two to four inches deep ; 

 and if planted in beds, let the surface be rounded slightly to 

 throw off excess of water. With the exception of the sweet 

 Jonquil, which requires a little care, those named above are as 

 hardy and as easily raised as onions, and their more general 

 cultivation is desirable. 



HYACINTHS may be planted singly or in groups or beds. 

 If a bed is made it should be planted in October or early in 

 November, setting the bulbs from six to eight inches apart, 

 and full four inches deep. With care in respect to the taste- 

 ful arrangement of the different colors and the various shades 

 of each, and attention to the natural varieties of height, which 

 latter will be affected by the strength or weakness of the par- 

 ticular root, a fine effect may be produced independent of the 

 merits of the individual flowers. That no mistake may occur, 

 the arrangement should first be made on paper, and the dia- 

 gram preserved for correction, if necessary, when they bloom. 



Hyacinths will generally bear the winter well if planted at 

 proper depth, yet some of the finer kinds, particularly the 

 white ones, are of delicate constitution, and will more certain- 

 ly keep and bloom strongly if the bed is annually mulched a 

 little for winter, taking care to remove the mulching at the 

 earliest opening of spring. 



They may also be planted in pots for house blooming. In 



