ON HYACINTHS 211 



and Daffodils is shared by the British. If Hyacinths 

 could be grown on a commercial scale in this country, 

 it would be in districts where the soil is light, and yet 

 not far above water. The plants thrive in light soil 

 provided that they have abundance of moisture, but 

 not otherwise. 



Amateurs, as a whole, are not likely to trouble where 

 bulbs are grown, provided they are large, sound, and ripe. 

 Given these conditions, fine "trusses" of bloom will be 

 had. What is a " large " bulb ? Hyacinths are graded 

 and sold at different prices. A bulb two and a half inches 

 through at the thickest part is a li first size " bulb, and 

 will be charged at the highest price for that particular 

 variety, perhaps twopence, perhaps fourpence, perhaps 

 sixpence. But a bulb may be less than two inches 

 through and yet be a " first size." The varieties differ 

 a good deal in this respect. The yellows are nearly all 

 small-bulbed. With respect to soundness, an unfailing 

 test is pressure of the thumb on the flat ring at the base ; 

 if this is firm, the bulb is sound ; if soft, it is unsound. 

 Ripeness may be assumed if the bulb is firm and the 

 outer skin, in addition to being loose, is tinted with a 

 silvery sheen. 



We grow Hyacinths (a) in pots of soil, (b) in glasses 

 of water, (c) in bowls of peat moss fibre, (d) in the 

 open garden ; and they do almost equally well in all 

 if the treatment is correct. 



As Pot Plants. They are beautiful as pot plants, for 

 the trusses are handsome, the colours are brilliant and 

 varied, the habit is neat, and the perfume is delicious. 

 One would hardly grow a block of Hyacinths in a 

 greenhouse, because it would look flat ; but one would 

 grow Hyacinths in association with other bulbs and 

 spring blooming plants. To have them at their best 



