LECTURE ON SPRING FLOWERING PLANTS. 347 



descendants, much altered in size, form, and colour, are, 

 or should be, annually imported from Holland, where 

 their cultivation is carried out on so large a scale as to be 

 an important branch of national industry. 



I may, perhaps, be allowed to remark here that the 

 best Dutch Bulbs usually find their way into the hands 

 of the English dealers. The Hyacinths sent to this 

 country are grown from offsets of the roots, and are 

 usually four or five years old. In favourable seasons, with 

 free-growing sorts, or in the event of a scarcity of any 

 particular sort, three-year-old roots are sometimes sent, 

 but such do not produce the finest spikes of flowers. 

 Dutch Bulbs usually arrive in England in the month of 

 August, packed in bags and boxes in what is termed a dry 

 state, in which they somewhat resemble onions. 



Now, with regard to the culture of these bulbs, I will 

 assume that the cultivator has obtained possession of good 

 bulbs bulbs which have not been hastily forced into the 

 market, but which have the stamp of age, and which have 

 been skilfully handled throughout their previous stages of 

 development. Without this there is little hope of reaching 

 a high standard of excellence. If you start wrong no 

 after skill or attention will set you altogether right. Let 

 us then assume the possession of good bulbs. Now, they 

 may be grown in pots or boxes in earth, or in glasses in 

 water. I will first relate how they are managed when 

 grown in earth. Sandy loam, enriched by a free addition 

 of manure, is the best compost in which to plant them ; 

 plant in October, leaving the apex or crown of the bulb 

 just protruding above the soil, and afterwards thoroughly 

 soak the soil with water. When drained, place the boxes, 

 pots, or vases in which they are planted on the level soil, 

 covering them over with six inches of cocoa fibre, old tan, 

 or cinder ashes. Now the length of time they should 

 remain under this covering will depend on the period at 

 which they are wanted to bloom. If removed in January, 

 gradually inured to heat and light, well watered if dry, and 



