292 THE CULTURE OF FLOWERING BULBS 



to produce good flowers of their kind. The bulbs of some sorts are 

 never large or handsome, while, on the other hand, many sorts partake 

 of both these qualities in an eminent degree. 



CULTURE IN POTS. It is not necessary to employ large pots, or 

 pots of a peculiar shape, for Hyacinths. There is nothing better than 

 common flower-pots, and in those of 6o-size (3^-inch) single bulbs 

 may be flowered in a most satisfactory manner. The pots usually 

 employed are 48-size (5-inch), and 32-size (6-inch) ; the last-named 

 being required only for selected bulbs grown for exhibition. We 

 advise the use of small pots where Hyacinths are grown in pits and 

 frames for decorative purposes, because they can be conveniently 

 placed in ornamental stands, or packed close together in baskets of 

 moss, when required for the embellishment of the drawing-room. A 

 rich, light soil is indispensable, and it should consist of at least one- 

 half of good rotten manure, and the remainder turfy loam, with a 

 liberal allowance of sharp sand. The mixture should be in a 

 moderately moist condition when ready for use. When small pots 

 are employed, one hollow crock must suffice, but 48- and 3 2 -sized 

 pots must be prepared in the usual way, with one large hollow crock, 

 and a little heap of smaller potsherds or nodules of charcoal over it. 

 Fill the pots quite full of soil, and then press the bulb into it, and 

 press the soil round the bulb to finish the operation. If potted 

 loosely they will not thrive ; if potted too firmly they will rise up as 

 soon as they begin to grow, and be one-sided. In large pots the 

 bulbs should be nearly covered with soil, but in small pots they must 

 be only half covered, in order to afford them the largest possible 

 amount of root-room. When potted, the coolest place should be 

 found for them, and unless they go absolutely dry, they should not 

 have a drop of water, until they begin to grow freely, and are in the 

 enjoyment of full daylight. The pots may be stored in a dark, cool 

 pit, or any out-of-the-way place, where neither sun, nor frost, nor 

 heavy rains will affect them ; but it is advisable to plunge them in 

 coal ashes or cocoa-nut fibre, and cover them with a few inches of 

 the plunging material. As to their removal, there are two matters to 

 consider. They must be taken out as wanted for forcing, and 

 certainly before they push their flower spikes through the plunge 

 material, as they will do if they remain in the bed too long. The 

 cultivator will be guided in respect of their removal from the bed, 

 by circumstances ; but when they are removed, a distinct routine of 

 treatment must be observed, or the flowering will be unsatisfactory. 

 For a short time they should be placed in subdued daylight, that the 



