FLOWER-GARDENING. 77 



tember; and on being planted in large pots, they may be 

 removed, so as to perfect their bloom, within view of the parlor 

 or sitting-room, which will afford considerable amusement and 

 gratification. 



HYACINTH. 



* Hail to thee ! hail, tliou lovely flower I 

 Still shed around thy sweet perfume ! 

 Still smile amid thr Wintry hour. 

 And boast e'en then a spring-tide bloom I 

 Thus hope, 'mid life's severest days. 

 Still smiles, still triumphs o'er despair; 

 Alike she lives in pleasure's rays. 

 And cold affliction's Winter air." 



There are, as has been already stated, about thirteen hundred 

 varieties of this family of plants, comprising all the various hues, 

 as white, pink, red, yellow, blue, purple, crimson, etc. ; and some 

 of those with various colored eyes. They begin to produce 

 their flowers in the open borders, early in April, on short, erect 

 stems covered with florets or small bells ; and each floret is well 

 filled with petals rising towards the centre ; and is suspended 

 from the stem by short, strong footstalks, the longest at the 

 bottom ; and the uppermost florets stand so erect as to form a 

 pyramid. A plantation, or bed of these, has a very beautiful 

 appearance, provided they are well attended to. In planting 

 them, which should be in the months of October or November, 

 care should be taken to have the colors so diversified as to suit 

 the fancy. They may be placed in short rows across the bed, 

 about eight inches apart, and from three to four inches deep, 

 measuring from the top of the bulb, and covered up at the 

 setting in of winter, as before recommended for bulbs in general. 



Those who may have a fine collection should have an 

 awning erected in the spring, to screen them from the chill- 

 ing blast, and also from drenching rains, and the noonday 



