400 Cultivation of Bidbons Roots. 



The bulbs which are most easily and most commonly cul- 

 tivated in rooms are hyacinths, tulips, narcissuses, jonquils, cro- 

 cuses, snowdrops, Persian cyclamen, and Winter aconite ; to 

 these may be added many species of oxalis, sparaxis, ixia, 

 amaryllis, lachenalia, and other bulbs ; but as these latter are 

 not so generally grown as the first mentioned, and also require 

 a different treatment, I shall not now enter into the details of 

 their cultivation. 



When it is desired to grow hyacinths in glasses with water, 

 good sound large roots should be selected ; the glasses should 

 be of some dark color, such as blue, purple, or green, or else 

 opaque, as the roots shun light, and, therefore, do not thrive 

 well in clear glasses. The glasses should be filled with rain, 

 or river water, up to the neck, or so far as, that the ring at 

 the bottom of the bulb only should touch the water. They 

 should then be put into a dark, warm closet until the bulb has 

 emitted roots, and the shoot from the crown has grown about 

 half an inch in height ; it should then be placed in a shady 

 part of the room for four or five days, but not over a mantel 

 piece, or near a fire, or in a strong draught of air ; and after- 

 wards be removed to a window with a sunny exposure, giv- 

 ing air by raising the sash for two or three hours during the 

 middle of the day, when the sun shines. On no account 

 should they be placed outside the window, as the cold harsh 

 winds which prevail at this season efiectually check their 

 growth. The water should be changed about once in two or 

 three weeks ; the glasses should be turned on one side, and 

 the roots partially withdrawn to let the water flow out freely, 

 as, when the roots are wholly withdrawn, it is difficult to re- 

 place them without seriously injuring them. 



The single hyacinths are generally the best for blooming in 

 water : subjoined is a list of twelve single and twelve double 

 varieties, suitable for this purpose, viz. : — 



Single Hyacinths. 



Amicus, dark blue Lord Wellington, rose color 



L'Ami de Coeur, purple Le Vainqueur, white 



Orondatus, porcelain blue Le Candour, white 



Emilias, porcelain blue Pyramide Superbe, white 



Princess Esterhazy, crimson Isabella, yellow 



Bouquet Rouge, crimson Crossus, yellow 



