HYACINTH. 151 



and better furnished spikes, and, as a rule, their colors 

 are better defined. Two exceptions to this rule may be 

 made in favor of La Tour D'Auvergne, a double white, 

 and Eegina Victoria, a double red. The former is our 

 first choice, whether in the garden or for pot culture ; 

 the latter is a good second. 



For general cultivation and for all purposes, the fol- 

 lowing twenty-five sorts we consider the most desirable, 

 being very $stinct in their respective colors. We do not 

 admire neutral tints in .the Hyacinth, as they give the 

 flower a dirty appearance. There are but few truly good 

 yellows, either single or double ; some of the colors are 

 good, but the spikes are short and the bells scattered. 

 All in the following list possess the most positive and 

 striking colors: 



SINGLE RED AND PINK HYACINTHS. 



Lord Macaulay. Clear rose with carmine stripes, 

 a good show variety. 



Madame Hodgson. Pale pink, a large and well- 

 formed spike and a sure bloomer. 



Robert Steiger. A fine spike, bright red; one of 

 the best for bedding, or decorative purposes. 



Von Schiller. Clear salmon pink, with crimson 

 stripes ; a fine pot plant for decorative purposes. 



SINGLE WHITE. 



Alba Super bis si ma. A pure white, large and 

 compact spike ; a fine bedding variety. 



La Grandesse. Pure white, a long and hand- 

 some spike ; one of the best for exhibition purposes. 



Mont Blanc. Pure white, a long and well-formed 

 spike suitable for all methods of culture. 



SINGLE BLUE. 



Charles Dickens. Light clear blue shaded with 

 lilac ; a long, well-formed spike and one of the best in 

 cultivation. 



