46 



BEAUTIFUL FLOWEKS 



BULBS IN POTS UNDER SAND 



A, bed of ashes; B, pots containing bulbs; C, 

 empty inverted flower-pots ; D, sand. 



not actually hard, mass over a drainage of crocks and moss. About 

 half an inch of the top of the bulb should be left exposed. The 

 pots may be put together in a group in the garden on a bed of 

 cinders, and covered a few inches deep with cocoa-nut fibre refuse, 



in order to check top growth until 

 roots have had time to form. In 

 from six to ten weeks, or when the 

 top growth is of the size of a filbert, 

 they may be brought into the green- 

 house. When the pots are full of 

 roots frequent supplies of water will 

 be needed, and liquid manure may 

 be given with advantage. The flower 

 spikes will need staking. 

 If they are to be grown in glasses care should be taken to choose 

 smooth, symmetrical bulbs, which will fit the necks of the recep- 

 tacles. The water may come close to the base without touching 

 it. One or two pieces of charcoal will 

 help to keep it pure ; should it become 

 thick and smelly it will be wise to pour 

 it away and substitute fresh, but this 

 should be done very carefully, so as to 

 avoid injuring or drying the roots. The 

 glasses should be kept in a dark cupboard 

 until the roots reach the bottom of the re- 

 ceptacle. A wire support, looped at the base 

 to clasp the neck of the bottle, will be neces- 

 sary to keep the plants from toppling over. 



Hyacinths for the garden should be planted as early as possible 

 in November, and may be covered three inches deep. The more 

 deeply the soil is dug, and the more thoroughly it is broken up, 

 the more likely the plants are to thrive. Light soil must be 

 particularly well worked, and it should be manured liberally. Heavy 



HYACINTHS IN POTS 



Upper figure. Bulb growing freely 

 when properly potted and watered. 

 Lower figure. Bulb lifted out of 

 the soil by the roots when im- 

 properly potted, and not watered 

 to settle the soil at the outset. 



