536 APPENDIX. 



nig, the ground must be very rich and strong at first: but 

 this method is dangerous, many of the roots being apt to rot 

 (hereby. 



2. EXTRACTS from The Dutch Florist, by Nicholas van 

 Kampen of* Haarlem. Translation published at New- 

 vastlc-npon-Tyne, 1763. 



(Referred to at p. 200.) 



Hyacinths. — Soil, fyc. — Sandy earth is what we consider 

 as the base of the culture of hyacinths. It ought to be of a 

 bluish-grey or blackish-red colour, not sharp, but rather 

 handling smooth, a little greasy, and taking a pearl colour 

 when dry ; the water passing through it being sweet and 

 of a delicate taste ; in a word, such soil as Ave see about Haar- 

 lem, particularly towards the sea-banks. (P. 4.) — The best 

 method of enriching sandy earth, according to our experience, 

 is to make use of cow-dung, rotted leaves of trees, and tan- 

 nerVbark ; but the bark ought not to be taken fresh out of 

 the pits, but laid up for two years at least, that it may be well 

 rotted, and consumed to one-half. — Our method, then, of 

 making compost for hyacinths is as follows : Two-sixth parts 

 of grey sand ; two-sixths of well rotted cow-dung; one-sixth 

 of tanners-bark, quite rotted and reduced to earth ; one-sixth 

 of tree-leaves, also well rotted. — All these materials must be 

 thrown into a heap, not more than three feet thick, so that the 

 rays of the sun may have power to penetrate through it, and 

 warm it to the bottom ; for which purpose the heap must be 

 laid in a high and open place exposed to the south. Once a 

 month it ought to be carefully turned, and the bottom thrown 

 to the top, that all parts of it may partake of the benign influ^ 

 ence of the sun and elements : this is essential ; and this turning 

 must be continued for twelve months, taking care not to sift 

 the compost, because, in that case, it is apt to run into 

 lumps, which would be of dangerous consequence. (P. 5, 6.) 

 lieds. — After a place has been pitched on for planting the 

 flowers, the natural earth must be dug out to the depth of 

 three feel, and the bottom covered with a stratum of cow- 

 dung, half a foot thick ; which must be beaten and trod 

 down, til] it be very firm and compact, like a hard crust, so 



