74 THE HYACINTH. 



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 Novem- 

 ber, 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, — 



'■''Firsts 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. 



" Thirds The size of the flowers, and the shortness, or 

 rather stiffness, of the spike, depend upon their having 

 plenty of air on all favorable occasions. 



