Notes and Gleanings. 299 



Where hyacinths are required for bloom in early winter, they require to be 

 forced. For this purpose, about the first of October, they are taken from the 

 frame, and placed in a gentle hot-bed made of horse-dung, and remain there till 

 the pots are full of roots, and the tops begin to start, which will be in about a 

 fortnight : they are then taken to the greenhouse, and gradually forced into 

 bloom by gradually increasing the temperature, giving them plenty of air, keep- 

 ing them near the glass, and keeping the soil moist, but not wet. They should 

 have all the sun that can be given. The temperature at its extreme sliould 

 range from 55° to 70° ; and care must be taken that the plants experience no 

 sudden check. 



By bringing in successive lots of hyacinths, a succession of bloom may be 

 had from Christmas to May Day. If the grower has no greenhouse, he may 

 grow the bulbs in a parlor ; keeping them in the cellar until he wishes to bring 

 them forward, or in a cold frame as above directed. 



As a general rule, hyacinths potted in September will bloom in December ; 

 those potted in October and November, in January, February, and March : but 

 these seasons may be greatly varied by forcing and retarding. 



When coming into bloom, hyacinths should be watered with weak liquid 

 manure, unless potted with cow-dung as before directed ; in which case, they will 

 not need it. 



We copy from an English work the following rules of hyacinth-growing, and 

 which apply well to all Dutch bulbs. The essentials to success in growing 

 hyacinths are, — 



" First, Placing the bulbs in a cool situation until the pots are filled with 

 roots. 



"Second, Keeping them near the glass ; for, the more light, the greater is 

 the elaboration of the food and the more stiff is the foliage, the more compactly 

 are the bulbs arranged, the stouter the stalk that supports them, and the brighter 

 the color of the flowers. 



" Third, The size of the flowers, and the shortness, or rather stiff'ness, of the 

 spike, depend upon their having plenty of air on all favorable occasions. 



" Fourth, That they have no more heat than is necessary to maintain the 

 plant in a healthy growing state ; for, the more naturally a plant is excited, 

 the more satisfactory are the results. 



" Fifth, A free, open soil, with plenty of vegetable matter. 



" Sixth, Perfect drainage, and being kept free from worms. 



" Seventh, A moist soil at all times, neither too wet nor too dry ; but double 

 the quantity of moisture may be afforded when the truss is nearly developed, 

 every alternate watering being with weak liquid manure, "at the temperature of 

 the house or room. 



" Eighth, When in bloom, their beauty will last much longer if they are kept 

 in an almost invariable temperature of 40° to 45° instead of a variable one ; but 

 they must be fully in flower, or the colors will not be so bright nor the flowers 

 so fine without a sufficiency of light and heat. 



" Ninth, The hyacinth will bloom much more satisfactorily in a house from 

 which frost is only excluded than in one where fire-heat is employed." 



