THE HYACINTH. 75 



" Fourth, That they have no more heat than is necessary 

 to maintain the plant in a healthy growing state ; for, the 

 more naturally a plant is excited, the more satisfactory are 

 the results. 



'-Fifth) A free, open soil, with plenty of vegetable 

 matter. 



" Sixth, Perfect drainage, and being kept free from 

 worms. 



" Seventh) A moist soil at all times, neither too wet nor 

 too dry ; but double the quantity of moisture may be 

 afforded when the truss is nearly developed, every alternate 

 watering being with weak liquid manure, at the tempera- 

 ture of the house or room. 



" Eighth) When in bloom, their beauty will last much 

 longer if they are kept in an almost invariable temperature 

 of 40 to 45, instead of a variable one ; but they must 

 be fully in flower, or the colors will not be so bright nor the 

 flowers so fine without a sufficiency of light and heat. 



" Ninth) The hyacinth will bloom much more satisfacto- 

 rily in a house from which frost is only excluded than in 

 one where fire-heat is employed." 



In selecting hyacinths for early blooming, some regard 

 must be paid to the variety, as some are always early, some 



