CULTURE IN WATER. 79 



perative that bulbs of the finest quality only should be 

 selected for the purpose. Bulb dealers usually make a 

 point of selling bulbs specially selected for the purpose. 

 Snowdrops, scillas, and crocuses do not, of course, require 

 large vessels, only those with a neck or cup just large 

 enough to hold a single bulb. See selections on p. 170. 



Planting the BulbsAll the bulbs just mentioned 

 should be procured in September or October. Fill each 

 vessel with water so that, when the bulb is placed in 

 position, the water will nearly, but not quite, touch its 

 base, adding also the charcoal previously referred to. When 

 the bulbs are placed in position put the glasses in a cool, 

 dry, and perfectly dark cupboard, and let them remain 

 there until roots have formed a couple of inches or so long. 

 Bring them to a cool room, and stand them in subdued 

 light to allow the blanched growths to assume a green 

 tinge, when remove to a light, sunny window. Carefully 

 watch the water, the supply of which will be gradually 

 lessened by absorption into the plant. Add a fresh supply 

 as needed to the base of the bulbs. Tall flowers, like 

 those of the hyacinth and narcissus, will need support 

 when they get a few inches long. Seedsmen sell properly- 

 made wire supports for bulbs grown in water; but, failing 

 these, a piece of stout wire forced into the bulb and 

 then secured by a strand of bast or yarn will answer the 

 purpose well. After flowering, the bulbs are only of 

 service for planting out in the garden. 



Special Hints. On no account bring the bulbs out 

 of the dark cupboard until they have made roots two 

 inches long. If you do the flower spikes will be stunted 

 in growth. If a hyacinth spike be slow in ascending, roll 

 a piece of paper round it, not tightly, but so that it does 

 not touch the spike. This will cause the spike to push up- 

 wards, and then the paper can be removed. Remove any 

 offsets that form on the sides of the bulbs. 



