CATALOGUE 



HYACINTHS. 



The Hyacinth is, perhaps, the most popular and most universally cultivated of 

 all bulbous flowers. The cultivation of this buib for commerce is confined to Haar- 

 lem (Holland) and its neighborhood — hundreds of acres being entirely occupied by 

 it. A field of Hyacinths in full bloom is described as a sight gorgeous in the ex- 

 treme. Need we be surprised at its great popularity, when we consider, it is of the 

 easiest culture, perfectly hardy, has delicacy and variety of coloring, and delicious 

 perfume. 



Culture of Hyacinths in Glasses, 



It is not well to commence too soon with glasses ; from the beginning of October 

 up to December is the best time. Fill the glasses with water, (rain water is the 

 best,) place in the bulbs so that the base of each barely touches the water, and put 

 them in a dark, dry place ; when the roots are about two or three inches long, they 

 may be brought to the light, but not too suddenly exposed : as the foliage and 

 trusses advance, give all the air possible, otherwise they will be drawn up too weak ; 

 the glasses should be kept filled with water, and should be turned frequently to pre- 

 vent ill-shaped plants. 



Culture of Hyacinths in JPots. 



Hyacinths required to bloom by Christmas, should be potted early in September; 

 the following instructions for treatment of spring-flowering bulbs will be quite appli- 

 cable to these, excepting that they may be taken from the plunging bed and placed 

 in heat a little sooner than for later-flowering kinds. 



Hyacinths to flower in soring, and for succession, should be planted in October, 

 November and December; the best compost for them is one-half turfy fibrous loam 

 well rotted, third part good old decomposed manure, fourth part fine rotted leaf 

 mould; to every barrowful of the above compost, add one peck clean sharp sand. 

 The sized pots generally used are five and six inch. Hyacinths, as well as all other- 

 plants, require good drainage ; therefore, place about an inch of potsherd in the bot- 

 tom of the pot, with a layer of rotten cow dung, (ill up the pot with the compost, 

 with a little sharp sand on the top, on which place the bulb, pressing it firmly down, 

 filling round with the soil just to leave the crown in sight. When this is done, give 

 them a good soaking of water, taking care to let them have plenty of time to drain 

 before plunging; choose a hard dry place out of doors to stand them on, covering 

 them over six or eight inches with old tan or ashes, leaving them thus till the pots 

 are well filled with roots ; then remove them to a pit or frame, gradually exposing 

 them to light; after which, place them in a warm room or house. Attention must 

 be paid to watering ; and as the foliage and trusses advance, occasional waterings of 

 liquid manure is very essential. When the blooms begin to expand, the plants may 

 be taken to a cool room, where there is plenty of light. 



Hyacinths for Beds or Borders. 



Hyacinths will succeed in any well-drained soil. If of a very adhesive nature, add 

 two or three inches of sharp sand and about the same quantity of weli decayed 

 manure; then dig the soil eighteen inches deep, well mixing the sand and manure 

 with the soil. Sandy loams require nothing more than the addition of manure and 

 deep digging. Plant, when the soil is dry, \n rows about nine or ten inches apart, 

 and a foot between the rows. The crown of the bulb should be three or four inches 

 under the surface of the soil. Before severe freezing, cover the bed with three or 

 four inches of old tan, hops or short litter, to exclude frosts. This, however, should 

 be removed early in spring. 



DOUBLE HYACIJSTHS. 



The very earliest are marked thus **, the early *. These are suitable for growing 

 in pots and glasses, but are not quite as early as the single. The double and late 

 varieties succeed best in pots, boxes or open ground. 



