328 THE HYACINTH. 



The Hyacinth being a bulbous plant, the sources of 

 supply, at least during the early stages of growth, depend 

 on the nutriment stored up in the bulb the year before. 

 Thus it will be inferred that it is as important to obtain 

 good bulbs as to grow them well when obtained. And I 

 would here caution the cultivator against placing too much 

 confidence in large bulbs. True, if a bulb is sound, solid, 

 weighty, and well stored with eliminated food, the larger 

 the better ; but there are many large, showy, frothy bulbs 

 sold every year in Holland and in England which fail 

 before these tests, and which it requires a practised eye 

 and hand to apply. Then again there are some beautiful 

 sorts of Hyacinths of which Grootvorst is a familiar 

 example which seldom produce large handsome bulbs- 

 On the other hand, there are some indifferent kinds which 

 generally produce bulbs of great size and beauty. But 

 further, bulbs of the same kind differ in value in the hands 

 of different cultivators. In proof of it we need only 

 adduce one fact and whether it be attributed to the 

 greater skill of the cultivator or to the superiority of his 

 soil, the fact remains that there is a difference of 20 per 

 cent, in the prices of the different growers, and the highest 

 priced stock always commands the readiest market. 



Having laid the foundation of a successful culture by 

 the acquisition of good bulbs, let us pass to the next point. 



II. THE SEASON OF PLANTING. 



The natural period of rest for the Hyacinth is from 

 June to October. If planted before the latter month, the 

 shortening of the natural period of rest diminishes the 

 vigour of growth and the beauty of the flowers. So if the 

 planting be delayed far beyond that period, however well 

 the bulbs may be kept, growth commences, the bulb feeds 

 on the deposit of the previous year contained within itself 

 without the means of recruiting the supply, and a loss of 

 power is the consequence. Plant then in the month of 

 October, applying a greater or less degree of heat, according 



