NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. Ill 



The footstalk, or stem, of the spike should be straight, 

 stout, and of a height sufficient to raise the lowest part of 

 the spike just above the points of the leaves. The footstalk 

 of each pip should be gradually shorter as it approaches 

 nearer the top ; and each should spring from the stem at an 

 angle just a little less than a right angle, so as to aid the pips 

 in adapting themselves to a conical form, and yet to keep 

 their broad faces, or discs, full before the eye. 



Colour. What we say on this point is applicable to 

 competing flowers of every species, for in all it should be 

 esteemed as entirely subordinate to form and size. The 

 reason for this is sound ; for form and size, if no accident 

 interferes, are superior just in proportion to the skilfulness 

 of the cultivator. Colour, therefore, should have no further 

 weight than to turn the scale in favour of the best coloured, 

 provided that two specimens are equal in form and size. In 

 the case of selfs that is, flowers of one colour the most 

 uniform and brightest are best ; but in flowers of more than 

 one tint the colouring is best where the colours are distinct, 

 and not clouded into one another. 



Fragrance. When flowers, such as the Hyacinth is, are 

 of a kind yielding a perfume, if the rivals are equal in other 

 qualities, we should award the prize to the most fragrant. It 

 is even a criterion of good cultivation. 



In Glasses. The glasses ought to be at least nine inches 

 long, with a cup at the top to contain the bulb. The bulbs 

 should be put into the glasses at two or three times, com- 

 mencing in May, if a lenthened season of bloom is desired ; 

 the glasses should be filled with soft clean water, just up to 

 the neck, but not actually to touch the bulb. A few bits of 

 charcoal in the water will be an improvement. Place the 

 glasses in a dark, cold room for a fortnight, to cause roots to 

 be formed previously to the bloom-buds appearing. Examine 

 them occasionally, and remove gently any scales that may 

 be decayed, but be very careful not to injure the young 

 roots. Should the water become foul, let it be changed, 

 keeping each glass filled up to within a quarter of an inch 

 of the bulbs, but do not let it actually touch them. When 

 the buds and leaves have made a little growth they should be 

 brought into the full light of the window, but even then, if 



