NEW ZEALAND GARDENING. Ilg 



are the best for these bulbs. Three, or even five, bulbs 

 might be planted in pots large enough to contain them, with 

 good effect, where they are to bloom in a greenhouse. 



Potting. Whatever kind of pots are used they must be 

 well drained. Then upon the drainage place a thin covering 

 of very rotten sods broken into pieces. This has been used 

 with, great success in a green state. Then put a layer of the 

 compost and press it down very firmly, only take care that 

 it is in a proper state, neither too wet nor too dry. Keep 

 adding more soil, and pressing it down till the pots are full 

 enough to receive the bulbs. When the bulb is placed in 

 the pot upon this firm bed of soil, the top should be about 

 a quarter of an inch below the level of the pot rim ; then fill 

 in more soil around it, pressing it also firm, and close to the 

 bulb. If this is not properly done, when the roots begin to 

 push they will lift the bulb out of its place, and these roots 

 will be liable to be broken. The season for potting is the 

 last week in March, or the first week in April, for early 

 blooms ; but bulbs may be potted to the end of June. 



A bed, four feet wide, in an open place in the garden, will 

 be suitable to plunge the pots in. If the situation is dry the 

 soil may be excavated about four inches deep, and a layer of 

 coal ashes spread over the bottom to keep worms out of the 

 pots. Place the pots containing the bulbs on the bed, and 

 cover them over with spent tanners' bark or coal ashes about 

 two inches above the pots. Here they may remain till they 

 are required, either for forcing into flower or till the Spring. 



To have them in flower in Midwinter they should be placed 

 in heat about the middle of April, so that the forcing may be 

 gradual. If forced too quickly the flower-stems will be weak, 

 and the colours anything but bright ; whereas, if they are 

 brought on gradually the flower-stems will be strong, the 

 flowers large, and the colour better. Some sorts of Hyacinths 

 are better adapted than others for either growing in glasses 

 or forcing in pots. For growing in pots to flower late in the 

 Spring, almost any variety will answer. 



When the bloom is in perfection the pots should be 

 taken into a cool greenhouse or window, and plenty of air 

 given. They will last much longer in bloom than if kept in 



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