CATALOGUE. 



HYACINTHS, 



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

 bulbous flower.-'. The cultivation of this buib for commerce is confined to Haarlem 

 (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 extreme. 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 lislit, but not too suddenly exposed ; as the foliage and trusses ad- 

 vance, 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 prevent ill-shaped 

 plants. 



Culture of Hyacinths in Pots, 



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

 following instructions for treatment of spring-flowering bulbs will be quite applicable to 

 these, excepting that they may be taken from the plunging bed and placed in heat a 

 little sooner than for later-flqwering kinds. 



Hyacinths to flower in spring, 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 barruwful of the above compost, add one peck clean sliarp 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 bottom of the pot, with 

 a layer of rotten cow dung, fill 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, 



Plant, when the soil is dry, in 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, ho\yever, should be removed early in spring. 



HOUBLJE HYACINTHS. 



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 

 .^-ucceed best in pots, boxes or open ground. 



