ENCYCLOPHIDIA OF GARDENING. 
well-drained sunny borders. Plant, Sept. or Oct. Top-dress annually 
with decayed cow manure in Feb. Lift & replant only when bulbs 
show signs of deterioration. Propagate by seeds sown } in. deep in 
light sandy soil in boxes in cold frame or outdoors in Sept.; by offsets 
removed from old bulbs when lifted & planted 6 in. apart each way 
outdoors in Oct. Seedling bulbs flower when three years old, and 
attain full size when seven years old. 
SPEOIES CULTIVATED: H. amethystinus (Spanish Hyacinth), blue, spring, 1 ft., 
Pyrenees; amethystinus albus, white; orientalis (Common Hyacinth), various 
colours, spring, Mediterranean Region; orientalis albulus (Roman Hyacinth), white. 
. Hydrangea.—ord. Saxifragaces. Greenhouse & hardy flower- 
ing shrubby plants. First introduced 1736. Leaves, egg-shaped, green 
or variegated with yellow or white. j 
CULTURE OF H. HORTENSIA AND VARIETIES: Compost, two 
parts rich loam, one part well-decayed manure & river sand. Position, 
cool greenhouse, frame, or room, Oct. to March; heated greenhouse 
or warm window, March to Oct. Pot, Feb. to March. Water abun- 
dantly March to Oct., moderately Oct. to March. Prune, Aug. or Sept., 
cutting out all weak shoots & such as have flowered. Flowers borne 
on vigorous shoots of previous year’s growth. Best blooms obtained 
on plants propagated by cuttings annually in Aug. Apply liquid or 
artificial manure frequently to plants showing flower. Temp. for early 
flowering (Jan. to May), 55° to 65°. 
OUTDOOR CULTURE: Soil, ordinary rich. Position, shady, well- 
drained borders. Plant, Oct., Nov., March, or April. Prune strag- 
gling or dead shoots in March. Top-dress annually with decayed cow 
manure. Apply liquid manure when in flower. A good plant for sea- 
side gardens in §. & W. of England. 
CULTURE OF H. PANICULATA IN POTS: Compost as above. 
Position, cold frames, unheated greenhouses, or windows. Pot, Feb. 
or March. Prune previous year’s shoots to within 1 in. of base in 
Jan. or Feb. Water freely March to Oct., keep nearly dry Oct. to 
March. Apply liquid manure frequently when showing flower. After 
flowering, place in sunny position outdoors until Nov. 
OUTDOOR CULTURE OF H, PANICULATA: Soil, two parts rich 
turfy loam, one part decayed cow manure & river sand. Position, par- 
tially shaded, well-drained bed or border. Plant, Oct., Nov., or March. 
Top-dress annually with decayed manure in Feb. or March. Water 
freely in dry weather. Apply liquid manure when flower buds appear. 
Prune as advised for pot culture in March. 
CULTURE OF OTHER SPECIES: Plant H. petiolaris against a 
south wall in well-drained border; it will grow like ivy. Other species 
may be grown in a similar soil and position to H. Hortensia. Blue 
flowers may be obtained by planting in yellow loam, bog peat, 
or clay, or in a compost of five parts loam & one part iron 
filings, or by applying one of the following solutions: Dissolve a table- 
spoonful of alum in a gallon of soft water, and use 12 hours afterwards ; 
one tablespoonful of saltpetre & half a tablespoonful of oxide of iron 
in three gallons of water, and use 24 hours afterwards. Apply both 
twice a week. Propagate by cuttings of young shoots inserted singly 
in 2 in. pots of light sandy soil under bell-glass in temp. 55° to 65° 
in March or April; cuttings of points of firm shoots 2 to 3 in. long 
inserted in well-drained pots of sandy soil in cold frame in Aug.; by 
grafting or rooted cuttings or pieces of the soft thick roots of common 
