1871. 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



676 



for window gardening. The Due Van Thols, single : 

 and double varieties, are the species usually se- 

 lected. 



Of the single Due Van Thols there are nine or ten 

 various shades in red, white, yellow, rose, Vermil- 

 lion and variegated. They are not over six inches 

 in height, and with their brilliant colors form most 

 charming additions to every window garden. They 

 are most etfective when grown in groups, six to 

 twelve in one pot, but they accommodate them- 

 selves to every situation, and blend admirably with 

 a stand of flowers. 



Among the double varieties are Coxtronne des 

 Bases, a bright carmine ; Purple Grown, deep pur- 

 plish crimson ; Tournesol, deep red, margined with 

 yellow ; Iniperator Rubroriim, richest crimson ; 

 Mariage de ma Fille, white, striped with red; 

 Duke of York, crimson, edged with white. 



The culture of the Tulip is the same as that of the 

 Hyacinth, only the bulbs being so much smaller, 

 the roots will develop sooner, and four weeks of 

 darkness will be sufficient for them. By cautiously 

 cutting through the concentric coats of a Tulip 

 root in autumn, longitudinally from the top to the 

 base, and taking them otf successively, the whole 

 flower is disclosed with its petals, stamens and 

 pistils. The flowers exist in other bulbs in the 

 same manner, but the individual flowers of the tu- 

 lip being larger, they are more easily dissected, and 

 more conspicuous to the naked eye. 

 The Crocus. 



There are many varieties which bear much larger 

 flowers than the older kind. The Dutch florists 

 have manipulated their bulbs with great success, 

 and made the Crocus quite an etfective flower. 



For house culture, the largest varieties should be 

 selected, and they can be planted in china saucers 

 preserve dishes, or any small plates, only taking 

 care to keep the moss, fibre, sand or soil wet, never 

 allowiug it to dry ofl'. They can be had in various 

 colors of purple, blue, white, yellow, and striped 

 either in white and blue, or yellow and brown, like 

 the Cloth of Gold. 



Among the newer vai'ieties are : — 



Albion, fine-striped ; Cloth of Silver, pure white ; 

 David Bizzio, splendid dark purple ; Ida Pfeiffer, 

 light striped ; Lilaceus Supehrue, light blue, finely 

 shaded; ZonZ i?yro«, perfect blue ; Madame Mina 

 fine striped; Maria D'Ecosse, pure white; Prince 

 Albert, purple lilac; Sir Walter Scott, beautiful 

 penciled lilac ; Sulphiireus, sulphur yellow. 

 Narcissus. 



All the varieties of the Polyanthus Narcissus are 

 suitable for house cultui-e. The perfume is that of 

 the Jon(iuil, and its flower resembles the Polyan- 

 thus. Mingled with hyacinths, and Due VanThol 

 tulips they add much to a window garden. The 

 Double Roman, if planted in September will be in 

 flower at Christmas. The bulbs are so large that it 

 takes a 5 or 6 inch pot for a single bulb — but three 

 can be grown in eight inch pots. 

 The culture is the same as the hyacinth in every 



respect. The tip of the bulb should be left uncov- 

 ored. The handsomest varieties are : — 



Belle Princesse, yellow ; Bazelman Major, white, 

 yellow cup; Dubius, whtte, very delicate; Grand 

 Prinio, white, citron colored cup; Grand Soleil d' 

 Or, tine yellow, orange cup ; Queen of the Nether- 

 lands, white, deep yellow cup ; BuUocodium, ( Hoop 

 Petticoat Narcissus,) is very fine for pot culture, 

 it is called so from the form of its flower, and is a 

 very beautiful species. 



Cyclamen. 



Cyclamen are not really bulbs, but are botani- 

 cally described as corms, the fleshy roots being 

 solid, as in a potato, and not in layers as in a hya- 

 cinth. The root should never be inserted more 

 than one half its depth in the soil, and they can be 

 placed in the window at once, as they do not re- 

 quire to be kept in the dark to make them push 

 their roots. They should be planted singly in pots 

 — a 5 inch will do if the bulb is small — not over 

 an inch or so in diameter, but if of good size, a 7 

 inch is needed. They bloom best in a dark, peaty 

 soil mixed with a little sand, or leaf mould and 

 sand. Give water moderately when the leaves are 

 starting, but when the flowers appear, it will need 

 a more plentiful supply. After flowering, withdraw 

 the pots from the window, and give little sun or 

 water until another Autumn. There are three spe- 

 cies, G. Persicum, which vary in color from light 

 rose to rich crimson, and a pure white with a pur- 

 ple thi-oat, Antumnale flore alba and Dubra; they 

 flower in the Autumn. The Coum species are very 

 ornamental with small l)right rosy crimson and 

 snow white flowers, blotched with deeper crimson 

 at the base. 



Jonquils. 



There are three varieties, the double and single 

 sweet scented, and the large Campernell or Bell- 

 flowered. They can be cultivated like other bulljs, 

 in clusters and mixed groups. Three roots can be 

 planted in a five inch pot; five or six in a seven or 

 eight inch pot, not covering the tip of the bulb, and 

 they are very lovely in form, hue and fragrance. 

 Scilla. 



Scillas are sparkling gems for window gardens, 

 and are quite popular and fashionable at present, 

 for there is a fashion in plants as well as in dress. 

 And what is a la mode is of course, beautiful^ 

 The flowers are borne in spikes of six to twelve, 

 the individual blossoms being gracefully pendant 

 and bcU-shaped. They are very dwarf iu habit, 

 averaging not over six inches and the prevailing 

 colors are blue and white. S- Hyancinihoides, S. 

 Periivana, S. Sibcica, 8. Amoena, S- Campanu- 

 lata, are the handsomest for in-door blooming. 

 Glasses for Hyacinth Growing. 



In selecting hyacinth glasses be sure to choose 

 the deep blue shades, as this color is best adapted 

 to forcing the roots ; fill up within an inch of the 

 bulb, but do not let it touch the water. And soon 

 the tiny roots will strike downwards towards it. 



