200 THE HYACINTH. 



below and above the bulb, which not only prevents 

 the approach of insects,, but acts as a drain around 

 it ; but if the subsoil consist of sand or sandy gravel,, 

 a stratum of four inches thick of rotten cow-dung 

 should be laid about a foot below the bulbs, which 

 will not only administer nourishment to the roots, 

 but preserve a cool bottom, in which they delight. 

 The bed should be hooped over, and mats thrown 

 on occasionally to keep off heavy and continued 

 rains, which sometimes fall in November, and are 

 followed by sharp frosts : these frosts are more liable 

 to injure the bulbs when the ground is saturated with 

 water than when it is moderately moist or dry ; slight 

 frosts and gentle rains do no injury. Some florists 

 with small collections will cover the beds on the 

 approach of severe weather with old tan, to the 

 depth of six inches, which they remove in general, if 

 the weather permits, about the middle of February, 

 towards the end of which month, as well as in March, 

 when vegetation is in action, and the leaves begin to 

 shoot forth, a cold, bleak, easterly wind too frequently 

 prevails a wind, as all travellers agree, congenial to 



