344 YARD AND GARDEN 



Charles Dickens, Czar Peter, King of the Blues, 

 Leonidas and Regulus. 



Roman hyacinths produce small single white, 

 pink or blue flowers. They bloom profusely, 

 each bulb throwing from three to six spikes, are 

 cheap and are easiest of all the hyacinths to 

 cultivate in the amateur's hands. The white 

 variety is the earliest and, everything con- 

 sidered, the most satisfactory and beautiful. 

 Plant four or five bulbs in a five-inch pot, al- 

 lowing the crowns to remain uncovered. They 

 can be had without difficulty for Christmas 

 bloom. 



The Dutch hyacinths may also be brought 

 to flower in water. Glass vases, especially de- 

 signed for the purpose, are to be had from deal- 

 ers in seeds and bulbs. Milk bottles, however, 

 may be substituted and the result will be quite 

 as satisfactory. The vessel should be filled 

 with wat-er until the water just reaches the base 

 of the bulb when it has been set in position in 

 the cup of the vase or in the mouth of the bottle. 

 Drop a lump or two of charcoal in the water to 

 keep it sweet, set the vessels away in a dark 

 closet or in the cellar where they are to remain 

 until heavy growths of roots form. As the 

 water evaporates, add to it from time to time. 



