260 FLOWER GARDEN. 
beautiful and fragrant of the spring flowers, is a native of 
the Levant, where it occurs abundantly, in form not unlike 
our common harebell. It has long been a favorite in the 
East; but has been brought to its present artificial perfec- 
tion in Holland, chiefly since the beginning of last century. 
Many years ago it was successfully grown in the vicinity of 
Edinburgh, by James Justice, F. R. §., one of the most 
ingenious horticulturists of his time; but it must be con- 
fessed that, in the culture of this flower, the British florists 
have never attained to the eminence of the Dutch, principally, 
however, as is alleged by some, from want of attention and 
painstaking. According to Miller, the catalogues of the 
Haarlem florists used to enumerate 200 sorts, some of which 
sold as high as £200 a bulb; they are now less numerous, 
and much less expensive. 
Hyacinths are either single, semidouble, or double, and 
exhibit a great variety of tint. In a fine flower the stalk 
should be tall, strong, and upright; the blossoms numer- 
ous, large, and suspended in a horizontal direction; the 
whole flower having a compact pyramidal form, with the 
uppermost blossom quite erect ; plain colors should be clear 
and bright; and strong colors are preferable to pale; when 
colors are mixed, they should blend with elegance. 
The hyacinth delights in a rich, light sandy soil; and it is 
chiefly owing to the want of these qualities in his composts 
that the British florist fails in the growth of this beautiful 
plant. The Dutch compost, as given by the late Hon. and 
Rey. Mr. Herbert in the London Hortic. Transactions, vol. 
iv., is the following: One-third coarse sea or river sand ; 
one-third rotten cow-dung without litter; and one-third 
leaf mould. The natural soil is removed to the depth of 
at least two feet, and the vacant space filled up with com- 
post, previously prepared and well mixed. These materi- 
