Improved Culture of Hyacinths in Water. 



57 



Last year (1864), there were exhibited by Monsieur Vavin, at a horticul- 

 tural show in Paris, two hyacinths grown in water, in full growth early in 

 November. The leaves and the roots, as is usual, grew before the flower- 

 spike, which remained stationary. He then conceived the idea of cutting 

 off the roots about an inch below the plate of the bulb, as we see in the 

 following figure : — 



In a few days, the flower-stem developed wonderfully ; while the plants 

 with abundance of foliage bloomed badly. The fact seemed worthy of 

 notice ; but the season was too far advanced to permit of experiments on 



