THE HYACINTH. 199 



maiden earth, that has been dug six months at least 

 before you use it ; if twelve months, the better. To 

 be enriched and incorporated with decayed leaf- 

 mould, well rotten cow-dung, and river sand, in 

 something like the following quantities : 



4 Barrows of maiden earth, 



1 Do. well rotten cow-dung, 



2 Do. leaf-mould, 



2 Do. sea or river sand. 



f If you have the opportunity of adding to this 

 one barrow of night-soil reduced to mould, no fitter 

 or better compost can possibly be put together, and 

 it will retain its strength and quality for two or three 

 years : the trouble and expense, I admit, are con- 

 siderable, but then you will be repaid by a fine 

 bloom and healthy bulbs. 



' If the subsoil be brick-earth or clay, which do 

 not easily discharge the falling rains, the bed should 

 be raised ten inches, at least, above the surface of 

 the ground, that the bulbs may sustain no damage 

 from them. Plant them four inches deep, and nine 

 inches apart every way, putting a little sand both 



