DREER’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE OF BULBS. 3 
THE HYACINTH. 
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Among hardy bulbs the Hyacinth stands (deservedly go) foremost on the list; it is not only 
a general favorite for the garden, but has become exceedingly popular as a winter a from 
the facility with which it may be forced into bloom, either in pots or glasses filled with water ; 
nothing can be more delightful, either for beauty or fragrance, than a stand of these lovely 
flowers, in the parlor or drawing-room, during the winter months. 
METHOD OF BLOOMING HYACINTHS IN THE WINTER SEASON IN GLASSES. 
For this purpose Single Hyacinths, and such as are designated 
earliest among the Double, are to be preferred. Single Hyacinths 
are generally held in less estimation than Double ones; their colors, 
however, are more vivid, and their bells, though smaller, are more 
numerous; some of the sorts are exquisitely beautiful; they are 
preferable for flowering in winter to most of the Double ones, as 
they bluom two or three weeks earlier and are very sweet scented. 
Hyacinths intended for glasses should be placed in them during 
October and November, the glasses being previously filled with pure 
water, so that the bottom of the bulb may just touch the water; 
then place them for the first three or four weeks in a dark closet, 
box or cellar, to promote the shooting of the fibres, which should 
fill the glasses before exposing them to the sun, after which expose 
them to the light and sun gradually. If kept too light and warm 
at first, and before there is sufficient fibre, they will rarely flower 
well. They will bloom without any sun, but the colors of the 
flowers will be inferior. To insure vigorous growth a favorable ex- 
posure to light and occasional fresh air, when mild, are essential. 
The water should be changed as it becomes impure; draw the roots 
entirely out of the glasses, rinse off the fibres in clean water, and 
wash the inside of the glass well. Care should be taken that the 
water does not freeze, as it would not only burst the glass, but 
cause the fibres to decay. Whether the water is hard or soft, is not 
a matter of much consequence—soft is preferable—but must be 
perfectly clear to show the fibres to advantage. 
Avoid a low water mark in the glasses by keeping it to a level 
with the base of each bulb. Never place the glasses upon a mantel- 
piece or shelf within the influence of fire heat during the process of 
growth. To stimulate and strengthen the growth, dissolve a pinch of sulphate of ammonia 
occasionally in the water after the bulbs are exposed to light. 
THE TREATMENT OF HYACINTHS IN POTS. 
For the growth of Hyacinths in pots, the most favorable planting season for early bloom is 
September, and for a succession, at intervals up to January. The size of pots is regulated by the 
space or convenience for placing them; when limited, and a rich massive effect is wished for, 
those of six or eight inches in diameter are recommended, in which three or four bulbs may be 
placed, but where more convenience is had, a succession of single or double bulbs in smaller pots 
may be admitted—two bulbs in each is very effective, and generally preferred ; the colors of such 
may be regulated according to taste. In potting, use the soil as already described, each bulb 
should remain one-third above the surface of the soil, and the base of each bulb should rest upon 
a strata of clean river sand. After potting place them where intended to remain, upon a dry 
surface of ashes or sharp gravel, in the rotation of their intended periods of bloom, (each later 
potting plunged beyond the previous ones,) and thus arranged, water the whole well to imbed 
the bulbs firmly within the soil, allowing them to remain until the bulbs and surfaces are again 
dry (for one or two days); then cover the whole over to the depth of three or four inches with 
half-dried tan, sawdust, sand or soil, for six or eight weeks, in which position the preparatory 
root-growth is made, necessary to a vigorous development of their flowerscapes. After the period 
adverted to, less or more, the first potted bulbs may be taken up, the soil and sediment carefully 
brushed off, and removed toa gentle hot-bed, or a warm genial greenhouse or room where the 
bloom will progressively expand, care being taken to screen the leaf-growth made in darkness 
for a few days. A short difference of a week or fortnight between the periods of potting will 
produce a corresponding difference in the periods of bloom. 
