596 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
patterns worked with them, there should be equality in the size of the 
bulbs, otherwise the results will not be so neat and regular as you 
desire. A covering of cocoanut-fibre refuse will keep the leaves and 
flowers clean. Before the flowers actually open, each spike should be 
supported by tying lightly to a neat stick, which, however, should not 
reach to the top of the spike. The bulbs should not be disturbed until 
the leaves have turned yellow and begun to shrivel. Then they should 
be dug up, dried slowly in the shade, and when the leaves have quite 
withered, these should be cut off at the base, and the bulbs placed in 
paper bags and stored away in a dry place. 
For pot-culture a special compost should be prepared two or three 
months before using, and should consist of fibrous loam, two parts, 
thoroughly rotted cow-manure, one part, leaf-mould, one part, and river 
sand, one part. Clean 5- or 6- inch pots should be used and perfect 
drainage ensured. Fill in sufficient of the compost to bring the 
crown of the bulb within half an inch of the rim of the pot. Let 
the bulb rest on a little clean sand, then fill in the compost firmly 
round it, until only the crown just shows, and cover that with a little 
more sand. Prepare a hole or pit outside, with a bottom of coal ashes, 
and fill with cocoanut-fibre refuse. In this plunge yourpotted Hyacinths, 
covering their tops with about four inches of fibre. Under these evnditions 
the bulbs will send out roots freely ; and in about six weeks from their 
interment the pots may be taken up, and put into a cool greenhouse. 
It will be found that the leaves have also started, but are too tender 
to bear sudden exposure; therefore, cover each by inverting a smaller- 
sized flower-pot over the plant, and leave them covered for a few days. 
They may now be placed near the glass and allowed to come on gradually, 
or removed to a warmer—but not hot—house for forcing. The tempera- 
ture must not be raised suddenly, but graduated according to the date at 
which plants in full blossom are required. If the main stock is kept in 
a cool house, a few pots may be brought under higher temperatures in 
succession, and so the supply of flowers indoors kept up until those 
outside are coming on. Bulbs that have been flowered in pots require 
careful and very gradual ripening, or they will be of no use for succeeding 
years. 
To our mind the growth of Hyacinths in water is not a thing to 
recommend, for they look unnatural and ungainly; but where it is 
desired to grow them in this fashion, the tall, specially-made vases should 
be used. Only the best single bulbs should be selected for this purpose. 
About the middle of October the glasses should be quite filled with clean 
water, and with it a few nibs of charcoal. The base of the bulb must 
