HYACINTH. 155 



the bulb be even with the surface of the soil; water 

 thoroughly, then place the flats in a cold frame, or shed, 

 away from frost. They should remain in this condition 

 at least four weeks before they are brought in for forcing. 

 Heat should be applied gradually, beginning at 50 and 

 running up to 65 or 70 F. To get flowers for Christ- 

 mas, a little higher temperature will be required than is 

 best to employ for a general crop. For a succession, 

 bring in a iew batch every two weeks. 



The Roman Hyacinth can be most successfully grown 

 in the window-garden, and is more desirable than the 

 large-flowered varieties, because of its coming into bloom 

 much earlier. For this purpose a four-inch pot can be 

 used to advantage. Use any soil from the garden ; put 

 three bulbs in each pot, and treat in all other respects as 

 the Dutch Hyacinth, only that the Roman can be started 

 by the first of November, and in a favorable situation 

 will flower by Christmas. They can just as well be 

 brought on in shallow boxes if a greater nu mber is re- 

 quired. The only care necessary in the house is to pro- 

 vide water when required, and to keep up as even a tem- 

 perature as possible. A check from want of water, or 

 because of too low a temperature will prevent a perfect 

 development of flowers. After flowering, the florists 

 throw the bulbs into the rubbish heap, which is the only 

 thing to do, as after forcing they are not worth saving. 

 If grown more carefully in flats or pots until the bulbs 

 are matured, then planted in the open border, they will 

 flower moderately well for a number of years. But the 

 room required is of more value than the cost of the bulbs. 



Dutch-Roman Hyacinth. The Dutch growers 

 are now competing with the French growers with the 

 above named variety, which is claimed to be superior. 

 Those who have given it a fair trial do not admit its 

 superiority, and say that it is simply a selection of small 

 bulbs of extra early Dutch Hyacinth. "We think this is a 



