HYACINTH. 149 



mental. In the beginning of March, if the bulbs begin 

 to grow, and the weather is mild, it will be necessary to re- 

 move the protection from the bed by degrees, as some- 

 times we have hard frost in this month, which would check 

 them much. In April, the scape will begin to appear, and 

 about the time the flowers begin to expand, it will be 

 necessary to tie them to a small stake neatly, as the rain 

 will beat them down, and destroy the beauty of the corolla, 

 or bells. 



The Dutch florists' plan is to take the bulbs up about 

 four weeks after they have done flowering; but in this 

 country, they had better remain until the foliage is entirely 

 destroyed. Some people are desirous of flowering Hya- 

 cinths in glasses, which, probably, from their not succeed- 

 ing better in this country, is the best plan ; to effect this 

 object, it is best to plant the bulbs in the open ground in 

 October, to remain there about six or seven weeks, to in- 

 duce them to throw out root fibres more regularly. Then 

 take them up, wash them clean, and put them in " Hya- 

 cinth Glasses " (made for the purpose), and fill up with 

 soft water, so that the bulb will be immersed about a quar- 

 ter of an inch; change the water whenever it becomes 

 fetid ; they must be kept in a warm room, for if allowed to 

 freeze, your glasses will break. If the bulbs are not buried 

 before placed in the glasses, it will be necessary to put 

 them in a dark place for some time after, otherwise they 

 will not throw out root fibres regularly, nor look so well, 

 nor bloom so fine. Bulbs can be put in glasses until the 

 middle of January, with tolerable success. Hyacinths, thus 

 treated, seldom flower the second year. If you wish early 

 flowers, plant them in pots. They will make a good ap- 



