THE HYACINTH. 197 



the plants, after they have done flowering; but to 

 suffer them to decay and die gradually, for the 

 health, strength, and size of the bulb for the suc- 

 ceeding year depend upon its storing up a proper 

 fund of sap, which you will in a great degree pre- 

 vent by cutting off the leaves when in a green state. 

 I recommend to you to cut down the flowering stem 

 as soon as the bloom has faded, but by no means to 

 deprive it of its leaves ; great injury is done to all 

 sorts of bulbs by this inconsiderate and unskilful 

 practice. Great care is also requisite in drying the 

 bulb, especially if May should be a rainy month ; 

 they will in that case require to be defended from 

 the excessive rain. About the beginning of June, 

 if the season has been dry and favourable, we begin 

 to take them up ; by that time the foliage has lost 

 its sap, and become dry and decayed ; we then cut 

 it off within an inch of the bulb, but touch not the 

 fibres. When this operation is finished, we replace 

 them on the bed upon their sides, in rows according 

 to the sorts, and cover them over about an inch 

 deep with sand ; this prevents the bulb from drying 



