UYAl'lXTlI. TS 



the iusiaiii tluil seed-pods Ijegiu to foniij the Uowei-sleuis 

 are pidled oid\, and the flowers are variously disposed of. 



A\'e turn next to the eultivation requisite for the enjoy- 

 ment of the flowers. It consists^ in the flrst place, in the 

 purchase of g'ood bulbs ; they should be hard and hea\'y. 

 If neat in form, all the better ; but that is not cif vital 

 importauce, liecause some sorts are naturally ugly. A 

 hard, heavy bulb, with only one centre of growth, is to 

 be preferred to one with two or more centres of gr(jwth ; 

 in other words, it is enough to secure one fine spike of 

 flowers ; but tastes differ, and we have seen as many as 

 fourteen from one bulb, ])resenting a most beautiful ap])ear- 

 ance. An)^ light, rich, sandy soil will serve for pot cul- 

 ture, and when beds are prepared for hyacinths, leaf-mould 

 aiid sand may be incorporated in quantity with advantage, 

 unless the soil is naturally of a sandy nature. To plant 

 early is of great importance, and to give water in plenty 

 after free growth has commenced is of not less importance. 

 As a rule, h\'acintlis do not obtain sufficient water when 

 grown iu English gardens, and that is one reason why 

 the bulbs flower so poorly in succeeding years. To obtain 

 flne flowers, fresh bulbs must be jrarchased annuall}'. 



Having raised good stocks of home-grown bulbs, wc 

 can aver that their production in this country is at once 

 ptossible and easy ; but we believe, as a rule, it is cheaper 

 and more satisfactory to purchase when flne flowers arc 

 required. To raise a stock it is necessary to follow the 

 Dutch system in its leading points, taking care not to 

 allow the formation of seed, and being careful also to pro- 

 mote a free leaf-growth after the flowering by regular and 

 liberal watering. Those that have flowered iu pots should 

 be placed iu frames to protect the delicate leaves from 



