104 



HYACINTH. 



ity to almost any situation, its diversity of color, 

 fragrance and the amount of bloom it yields. Its 

 waxen lily-like flowers, borne in spikes from four to 

 ten inches long, range from white to dark blue, and 

 contribute all that a flower can to make winter 

 cheerful. 



SOIL AND GENERAL TREATMENT. 



A sandy, porous soil is best suited to the Hya- 

 cinthe ; mix thoroughly equal parts of sandy loam, 

 leaf-mold and well rotted manure. 



They should be well and evenly watered. 



They like a cool, moist atmosphere, not above 

 70 degrees. 



The Hyacinth is increased by offsets from the 

 bulbs. These offsets become mature flowering- 

 bulbs when four years old. Flower-stalks which 

 appear during their growth should be cut off, that 

 the whole strength of the plant may be thrown into 

 the bulb. As the propagation of Hyacinths is not 

 likely to be attempted by amateurs, an extended 

 account is unnecessary. 



Bulbs sold by florists are grown mainly in Hol- 

 land, and reach this country in September, and 

 should be purchased soon, after their arrival. The 

 Hyacinth naturally blooms in the spring, but by 

 proper management their flowers are produced 

 during the winter months. Various methods of 

 thus forcing them into bloom are practiced. The 

 use of pots is simplest and best, and a deep kind is 

 made for this purpose. A small pot answers for a 



