Oct.] FLOWER GARDEN. 541 



This plan, on minute investigation, will appear superior to any 

 other that can be devised for simplicity and an elegant and advan- 

 tageous display of the colours; each bulb, those of the outside rows 

 excepted, will be in the centre of a hexagon, and the whole at 

 equal distances from each other. The width of the surface of the 

 bed is to be four feet, the six rows along it eight inches asunder, 

 and the outside rows, each four inches from the sides of the bed; 

 consequently the space between the centre of each bulb will be 

 about nine inches and a quarter. The letters R, B, W, denote 

 the colour of the flower to be placed there, viz: Red, Blue, or 

 White. Under these three heads all hyacinths may be compre- 

 hended, except a few sorts of yellow, which may be classed with 

 the whites. 



On planting the hyacinths a little clean sand should be placed 

 underneath, and likewise upon the roots, to prevent the earth 

 adhering too close to them; the whole are then to be covered with 

 sound, fresh, sandy earth from three to four inches deep, according 

 to the size of the bulbs; when this is completed the bed will be 

 about six or seven inches above the level of the walk in front, or on 

 the south side, and about ten or eleven inches on the north side; it 

 should be supported all around with a strong frame of thick boards 

 or with brickwork; this frame should be six inches or more higher 

 all around than the surface, and of course sloping towards the front 

 to support such covering as may be necessary for the preservation 

 of the roots from heavy rains and severe frosts. For their further 

 treatment see the ensuing months. 



The extraordinary preparation and trouble above recommended, 

 are only necessary to bring the finest kinds of hyacinths to the best 

 possible perfection; but the nearer you can make it convenient to 

 approach to said method, in the cultivation of all the other varie- 

 ties, the greater perfection you may expect to have them in: this, 

 however, must be governed by circumstances, and you need not 

 despair of having very fine flowers in any good, rich kitchen garden 

 soil that lies dry and inclines a little to sand; and even without 

 any kind of protection during winter. 



The common sorts of hyacinths, of every species and variety, 

 may be planted in open beds, or in small clumps round the borders, 



