392 THE PLEASURE, OR [May. 



the double varieties. The proper time to plant the roots is the 

 beginning of this month, add the plants about the twentieth; they 

 will grow and thrive in any common garden soil. When you plant 

 them it is necessary to place a good strong stake to each, and, as 

 they advance in growth, tie them up to it, to prevent their being 

 broken oft' by the wind. The dahlias vary in height from two to 

 eight feet, so that when they are planted it is necessary to propor- 

 tion the stake to the height of the plant, for it looks very awkward 

 to see a low growing plant with a tall stake. Through the summer, 

 should the weather prove dry, it will increase their flowers mate- 

 rially to water your plants every evening. 



In October, when the leaves and stalks are killed with the frost, 

 it is necessary to cut down the stalks to within six inches of the 

 ground, and let them remain so for a few days that the roots may 

 be well refined, otherwise they are not so likely to keep during the 

 winter or vegetate in spring. As you take them up label each 

 plant separately with the name, colour, and height, as it will assist 

 you to diversify the different varieties in planting. The better way 

 to label them is to write the name on a small wooden tally, and tie 

 it on the root with good twine, or fine wire is preferable. Keep 

 them in winter secure from frost by putting them in dry sand or 

 saw-dust, and placing them in a cellar. 



Hyacinths. 



Continue to defend the beds of the more curious hyacinths, yet 

 in full blow, as directed last month, or they may be defended 

 either by boards or by mats laid occasionally on hoops placed 

 archwise over the beds for their support. These should be laid 

 on every day, when the sun shines powerfully, about nine or ten 

 o'clock in the morning, and taken off' at four or five in the after- 

 noon. 



When hyacinths are past flower, let them always be fully exposed 

 to the weather, except in very heavy torrents of rain, from which 

 they should be carefully protected. 



It is the practice in Holland to take up the bulbs about a month 

 after the bloom is completely over, in the following manner: as 

 soon as the plants begin to put on a yellowish decayed appearance, 

 they take up the roots and cut oft' the stem and foliage within an 

 inch or half an inch of the bulb, but leave the fibres, &c. attached 

 to it; they then place the bulbs again on the same bed, with their 

 points towards the north, and cover them about an inch deep with 

 dry earth or sand in form of a ridge, or in little cones over each 

 bulb: in this state they remain about three weeks longer, and dry 

 or ripen gradually; during which period the bed is preserved from 

 heavy rains or too much sun, but at all other times exposed to the 

 full air; at the expiration of this period, the bulbs are taken up, and 

 their fibres, which are become dry and withered, cut or gently 

 rubbed off"; they are then placed in a dry room for two or three 

 weeks, and are afterwards cleaned from any soil that adheres to 



