104 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTUUAL SOCIETY. 



In some of the newer varieties a great improvement has been 

 attained in the size of the individual flowers, the breadth of their 

 recurving lobes, and in increased brilliancy and depth of color. 



New varieties are produced from the seeds of fertilized flowers. 

 Clear colors are selected for crossing. The seed is sown in 

 August, sometimes in pots, but generally in special!}' prepared beds 

 in which the growth and strength of the young plants are greatly 

 promoted. The seed beds are protected by straw during winter 

 and the plants show themselves in early spring. The bulblets are 

 lifted about midsummer, placed under cover and allowed to dry 

 oS with the leaves on. In September, they are replanted in poor, 

 sandy soil underneath which is put a foot of the richest material 

 possible, consisting of cow dung, river mud, and saud. The 

 Dutch growers are particular not to allow any manure to touch the 

 bulbs. The}' rest in clear, sharp sand, with which they are also 

 covered. This treatment results in the bulbs produced being 

 shapel}', clean, and hard-skinned. The sand also serves to pro- 

 tect the bulbs from the attacks of worms and other insects : its 

 sharpness hinders their approach. It may be wise for us to 

 remember this fact in planting other bulbs besides h^'acinths and 

 tulips. Hyacinths usually bloom at four years from seed, but a 

 five years old bulb gives better and stronger flowers. 



The great bulk of hyacinths are grown from offsets or small 

 bulblets obtained by cutting large bulbs and growing them one 

 year. Several methods are in practice for obtaining these offsets. 

 In the case of old, well-known sorts, for which there is a sure 

 demand yearly, the old bulbs are cut so as to produce the largest 

 bulblets the first year. If the variety to be propagated is rare and 

 costly, the bulbs are cut so as to produce the greatest number of 

 bulblets. These last will be so small that they must he grown 

 five or six j'ears before they are of marketable size. The method 

 commonly practised is to cut the old bulbs twice at the base. 

 This is done in June or July. The cut bulbs are then laid on 

 shelves, wliere the sections cut immediatel}" parti}' open and in 

 five or six weeks a small bulblet will be found formed at each 

 scale where cut. The mother bulbs are planted in September, 

 about seven inches deep, to be lifted early in the following sum- 

 mer. They throw up a few stray leaves only, all their strength 

 going into the bulblets. Bulbs so propagated are fit to sell in four 

 3'ears ; they are then at their best and will deteriorate afterwards, 

 becoming divided and entirely useless for sale. 



