io8 GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS 



desired to fill in between other plants in a mixed border. A 

 trowel should be used in preference to the dibbler for opening 

 the holes. These should be made 4 inches deep, a little 

 sand placed in the bottom, and then the bulb in position ; 

 after that carefully fill in the soil. Take great care in making 

 the holes to have them all the same depth. For a very rich 

 effect plant the bulbs 6 inches apart, but a very good dis- 

 play will be secured if they are 9 inches apart. The Hyacinth 

 is seldom injured by frost, except when growing freely in the 

 early spring. The bulbs may be taken up and dried off when 

 the leaves have faded. Place them in an airy shed, but not in 

 the sun. When dry remove the offsets, keeping the large 

 sound bulbs to plant again the following autumn. 



Hyacinths in Pots. There is nothing better than the 

 common flower-pot, and in quite small pots satisfactory 

 flowers may be produced by planting one bulb in a pot. Use 

 a rich soil consisting of two parts good loam, and a part each 

 of manure, leaf-mould, and sand. The best manure is equal 

 parts of cow and horse manure mixed together. This should 

 be thoroughly decayed ; fresh manure is dangerous. It is 

 wise to prepare the soil some time before it is wanted for use. 

 Mix the soil thoroughly, and see that the pots are perfectly 

 clean and dry before using them. If small pots viz. 3^ 

 inches are used, one hollow crock will suffice as drainage ; 

 but if larger pots are used, then several smaller crocks must 

 be placed over the larger one, and a layer of moss or coarse 

 soil over the whole. When all is ready and a start is made to 

 pot the bulbs, begin by filling the pots quite full of soil, 

 press the bulb into it, and finish by pressing the soil mode- 

 rately firm round the bulb. They must not be potted loosely, 

 or they will fail ; and if the soil is made too firm, it is quite 

 likely that the flower spikes will be mishapen and spoilt. 



When several bulbs are placed in a large pot, they may be 

 almost covered with the soil, but in small pots they should be 

 only half covered, so as to allow the largest possible amount 

 of root-room. After potting, give a good watering through 

 a lt rosed " watering-pot. The pots may then be covered with 

 6 inches of cocoanut fibre refuse or sand. Coal ashes are 

 sometimes used for this purpose, but they are not recom- 

 mended, as they contain too much sulphur. When there 

 is no convenience for standing the pots outside, they may 

 be placed in a dark cellar or cupboard, but must be kept 

 quite cool until well rooted. When the roots have reached 

 the sides of the pots, the first lot may be removed to produce 

 early flowers. Do not place them at once in full daylight. 



