HYACINTH. 147 



the first double flower was produced by one Peter Voer- 

 helm, during whose life a double Hyacinth was worth 

 about five hundred dollars in the Harlem market ; since 

 that time a single root has been sold for one thousand dol- 

 lars. The roots increase fast, and the mania being carried 

 high, competition caused a considerable decline in the 

 trade ; but, of late, bulbs have been sold as high as fifty 

 dollars. Catalogues are published annually, both in Hol- 

 land and England, containing about two thousand, with 

 names, from a clear white to what is called a black. Blue, 

 pink, and white are the predominant colors, both single 

 and double. Yellow is not common, therefore rarely met 

 with ; what is so called in the catalogues to the contrary 

 notwithstanding. 



Could we see a bed of these enchantingly fine flowers, 

 it would fascinate us to such a degree, as probable to give 

 a distaste to cultivate on such a small scale as we are com- 

 pelled to. The bulbs brought to this country and sold, are 

 nothing but the refuse of the Harlem market ; still our 

 ideas on the subject being somewhat limited, make them 

 appear more beautiful than they otherwise would. I do 

 not consider any place that does not receive the benefit of 

 the salt water breeze, altogether congenial to the culture of 

 the Hyacinth ; there are some situations more suitable than 

 others. The Hyacinth in this country, does not flower 

 well over one or two years. Eight years ago, when in 

 Europe, I selected some choice flowers from different estab- 

 lishments, and the first season they flowered well ; so that 

 my expectation was fully realized. As they increased fast, 

 I disposed of some ; the balance were planted in my gar- 

 den with the same care as the first season, in full expecta- 



