HYACINTHS. 273 



vidual beauty, few of them are calculated to make a 

 show at a distance, and the arrangements requisite for 

 their culture do not harjnonize well with the general 

 disposition of a flower garden. It is therefore desira- 

 ble, particularly when considerable refinement is aimed 

 at, that a separate garden, or a separate section of the 

 garden, should be set apart for their culture. The 

 more robust or less valuable varieties, however, which 

 are often as ornamental as the most esteemed, may be 

 introduced into -the general parterres. We. shall notice 

 the most considerable, in the order in which they na- 

 turally attract attention. 



The Hyacinth^ Hyacinthus orientalis, one of the most 

 beautiful and fragrant of the spring flowers, is a native 

 of the Levant, where it occurs abundantly, in form not 

 unlike our common harebell. It has long been a favor- 

 ite in the East ; but has been brought to its present ar- 

 tificial perfection in Holland, chiefly since the beginning 

 of last century. Many years ago it was successfully 

 grown in the vicinity of Edinburgh, by James Justice, 

 F. R. S., one of the most ingenious horticulturists of his 

 time ; but it must be confessed that, in the culture of 

 this flower, the British florists have never attained to 

 the eminence of the Dutch, principally, however, as is 

 alleged by some, from want of attention and painstak- 

 ing. According to Miller, the catalogues of the Haar- 

 lem florists used to enumerate 200 sorts, some of which 

 sold as high as .£200 a bulb ; they are now less numer- 

 ous, and Etiuch less expensive. 



both as to new vavieties and superior modes of culture ; and it 

 is but fair to add that the work hsts been greatly improved of 

 late years. 

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