SEPTEMBER 355 



firmly round it, leaving about half the bulb visible. If too much 

 power is employed, the soil will be so compact that when the roots 

 begin to grow, instead of penetrating, they will lift the bulb out 

 of its proper position. There is always some risk of this, and it 

 accounts for the practice of heaping over the pots a considerable 

 weight of ashes or cocoa-nut fibre. Of course this covering serves a 

 second purpose in checking leaf-growth until the roots are established. 

 Any cool and safe position will answer for storing the pots at this 

 stage. For the earliest supply of flowers, select single varieties, as 

 these naturally come into bloom somewhat in advance of the doubles. 

 When the tops begin to grow, remove the pots to a greenhouse or 

 frame, and subdue the light for a brief period until the natural 

 colour is gained. Thence transfer to the forcing pit as requirements 

 demand, and they will need a week or ten days to prepare them for 

 use. It is easy to secure a continuous supply of Hyacinths from 

 Christmas onwards by forcing successive batches of roots until the 

 final display will come naturally into flower without artificial assist- 

 tance. To augment the beauty of the flowers employ as little heat 

 as may be necessary, and defer the finishing temperature until the 

 latest moment possible. For general decorative purposes, small pots 

 will be found extremely convenient when a brilliant display is wanted 

 in a limited compass ; good specimens can be grown in the 48-size, 

 but for exhibition the 3 2 -size must be resorted to. Neither in pots 

 nor in glasses should the bulbs be allowed to send up foliage from 

 between the outer scales ; these rob the central growth, and they 

 should be carefully removed with a sharp knife. 



HYACINTHS, ROMAN, should be potted in successive batches to pro- 

 vide a continuous supply. When the roots are formed the pots may 

 be removed to a pit or frame, and thence to the forcing temperature 

 as the buds show. If they have been brought on gradually, a very 

 few days in a warm pit or house will throw them into flower. It is a 

 source of astonishment to us that this flower is not more extensively 

 grown in private gardens. Immense numbers are annually consigned 

 to the London markets, and find a ready sale for bouquets and table 

 decoration Of course it will not bear comparison with the splendid 

 named varieties which come later, but the Roman Hyacinth is ready 

 at a time when white flowers are scarce and valuable. Like other 

 bulbs of the same class, it may be shaken out of its own pots, and 

 transferred to ornamental contrivances. 



IRIS. The tuberous varieties are all perfectly hardy, and may be 

 planted at any time from August to December. Put into light soil 



A A 2 



