R. €r J. FaPvQUHAR 6- Co., BOSTON. 



CULTURE OF HYACINTHS. 



Hyacinths growing In Fibre. 



HYACINTHS IN POTS. It is important 

 in the pot culture of the hyacinth to 

 have rich, hght soil — if possible, a com- 

 post of one-third decayed turf, one-third 

 old rotten cow manure, and the remainder 

 equal parts of sharp sand and leaf-mould. 

 This compost should be made a few weeks 

 before being used. If the bulbs are to be 

 potted singly, pots five inches in diameter 

 are the proper size, and the special Hyacinth 

 pots, which are about two inches deeper 

 than ordinary pots, are preferable. For 

 drainage, cover the hole in the pot with 

 a piece of broken pot, and over this 

 place a layer of moss. Break off any 

 offsets which appear at the base of the 

 bulbs, and in potting place each bulb so 

 that its top shall be half an inch below the 

 surface of the soil and an inch below the 

 rim of the pot. The soil should be of 

 usual natural moisture, and should be 

 pressed moderately firm. The filled pots 

 m ly be placed in a cold frame where there 

 is protection from frost, and well watered. 

 An excellent plan is to place them on a 

 bed of moist, sifted coal ashes, covering 

 the pots to a depth of six inches with the 

 same material. When well rooted, which 

 will be in about si.x weeks, the bulbs may 

 be brought indoors and forced. For the 

 first two or three weeks they should be 

 kept in a temperature not exceeding 50 

 degrees. Success in forcing dcjiends much 

 on their having strong roots before being 

 brought to the light. The top grows 

 rapidly, and unless the roots are started 

 much in advance they are unable to nour- 

 ish the plant, and failure results. 



Hyacinths for early use may be potted 

 in September or October; late planting is 

 not advisable, as the bulbs deteriorate; 

 when desired for late use, it is better to 

 pot them in October and keep them in a 

 cold frame above freezing until it is 

 desired to force them into bloom. 



To obtain dwarf foliage and fine flower 

 spikes, Hyacinths when being forced should 

 have plenty of manure-water, fresh air, 

 and should be kept very near the glass. 

 The blooms last much longer if shaded 

 from the sun. 



Hyacinths in Fibre. A most interesting 

 method of growing bulbs, is to place 

 them in bowls, and jardinieres, filled with 

 fibre. For this system of culture no 

 drainage is necessary ; place a few pieces 

 of charcoal at the bottom of the bowl, 

 cover with fibre according to the depth 

 of bowl, placing the bulbs so that their 

 tips reach to within half inch of the rim. 

 The spaces between and around the bulbs 

 to be filled with fibre carefully firmed. 



The bulbs will require no attention for 

 the first few weeks, and may be set in a 

 warm airy position where light is excluded. 

 Narcissus, Tulips, and many other bulbs, 

 may be grown in fib:e. 



Hyacinths in Glasses. The single varieties are, with a few exceptions, best adapted to this mode of culture ; they produce finer 

 flower spikes than the double. Fill the glass with clear, soft water, so as nearly to touch the base of the bulb, putting a small piece of 

 charcoal in each glass to keep the water pure, and afford some nourishment. The filled glasses should be placed in a dry, cool, dark 

 place, and kept there until the roots almost touch the bottom of the glass, when they inay be exposed gradually to the light. If the 

 water in the glasses becomes foul, or diminished, replace it with fresh water at about the same temperature as the atmosphere in which 

 the bulbs are growing; otherwise it need not be changed. When well started, the bulbs should have plenty of light and air, without 

 draughts, in order that the best development and brilliancy of color may be attained. 



Hyacinths in the Open Garden. The ground should be dug to a depth of at least fifteen inches, and enriched with plenty of well- 

 rotted cow manure. Hyacinths may be planted from September until winter sets in; although if the highest success is sought they 

 should be in the ground by the end of October. Bulbs planted early develop roots in the autumn, and these, if protected from injury 

 by freezing and thawing alternately during the winter, enable the bulbs to produce much larger flower spikes than if the roots are not 

 developed until spring. Frost reaching the bulbs raises them up, thus detaching them from their roots. Protection may be afforded 

 by covering the beds with straw or leaves to a depth of six or eight inches, which should be removed early in the spring. Hyacinths 

 should be set six inches below the surface of the ground and si.x inches apart. 



