GARDEN HYACINTH. 81 



Even the sturdy oak, the towering; produce of 

 five hundred years, though its progeny may 

 shade a thousand acres round, at hist crumbles 

 into dust ! 



In Holland, a full-grown bulb is said to con- 

 tinue in perfection for a dozen years : in this 

 country it has been long erroneously believed 

 that, they do not continue more than two or three. 

 This mistake is much in favour of the Dutch 

 commercial florists ; and it is a pity that British 

 florists should be swayed by it. Surely a full- 

 sized bulb will continue its vigour till its own 

 ofl'sets can take its place ; unless, indeed, their 

 culture costs more than new-imported ones. 



This error, about the deterioration of bulbs, 

 has chiefly arisen fron the belief that bulbs are 

 permanent ; that the bulb of last year wall be 

 planted in this, and again in the following. But 

 the identity is only apparent, not real ; that part 

 of the bulb which flowered last year is perished 

 and gone, except a small portion of the bases of 

 its leaves, which now form the outer coat of this 

 year's bulb ; and this, which now looks so plump 



G 



