82 CULTIVATION. 



and perfect, will be almost invisible when taken 

 up in the next. The outer coats of the hyacinth 

 are discharged gradually and imperceptibly, the 

 increments of the bulbs are added from within, 

 and, consequently, the transmutation is invisible. 

 The suitableness of the soil and situation in 

 which a hyacinth is placed not only assists the 

 bulb of the present year to expand itself with the 

 greatest vigour, but also indirectly invigorates 

 and stimulates the incipient successor into 

 greater volume and power to expand itself in its 

 turn. The soil is therefore the principal auxiliary 

 of the florist. By the constitution and components 

 of this, all the changes produced in the amplitude 

 and colours of the flowers, compared with their 

 natural simplicity, is to be attributed. The dou- 

 ble hyacinth is a child of art ; and when we con- 

 sider the vast difference that exists between this 

 and its diminutive original in the wilds of Per- 

 sia or Greece, we cannot but admire the florist's 

 skill or labour in accomplishing such results ; 

 especially as the art is progressing, and probably 

 still far from perfection. 



