GARDEN HYACINTH. 79 



onion will thrive, the hyacinth will succeed. A 

 well-trenched free soil, with a liberal allowance 

 of rotten dung turned in, as well as laid three 

 inches thick over the surface, are the only means 

 employed by this successful florist to insure fine 

 bloom, unfailing' bulbs, and luxuriant true pro- 

 geny. 



Hyacinths may be raised from seed ; but it is 

 a tedious process, and the chance of obtaining 

 superior sorts very precarious. Seeds are chosen 

 from the handsomest single, or rather semi- 

 double, flowering plants, when the capsule be- 

 comes yellow and the seeds black. The stem 

 with the seeds should be kept in a dry and airy 

 place till the time of sowing-, which may be done 

 either in the end of October or begining of 

 March. A deep box, filled with the common 

 compost, serves as a seed-bed ; the seeds, when 

 sown, are covered about half an inch. The box 

 must be kept in a warm place during winter, and 

 defended from frost. After two years, and on 

 the approach of winter, the little bulbs should 

 have an additional covering of compost, and in 



