78 THE HYACINTH. 



hollowed out, becomes detached by the heat of the sun, and 

 may be removed. After being properly dried, the bulbs are 

 planted as other bulbs. 



When the operation proves successful, a great many 

 young bulbs are obtained ; but it generally takes four or five 

 years to bring them to perfection, while those obtained by 

 cross-cuts mature in three years. Like those obtained from 

 cross-cuts, they produce no leaves the first year. 



By Seed. Many varieties of hyacinth ripen seed freely, 

 which may be sown in pans of prepared soil when ripe, and 

 nursed in a cold frame till the seedlings are large enough 

 to be planted out in beds. Seedlings bloom the third or 

 fourth year. By the three former operations, approved 

 varieties are perpetuated ; by the latter, new varieties pro- 

 duced. 



Of other species of hyacinth, there is H. ametliystinus, a 

 charming little plant, with blue bells, a native of Spain, 

 introduced in 1750, but very rare, and probably not hardy ; 

 and H. spicatus, an insignificant plant, with white-and-blue 

 flowers, a native of Greece, and not hardy, introduced in 

 1835, flowering in February. 



The following list of fine hyacinths is compiled from the 

 best English authority. Those marked with a star, and all 



