28 PICTORIAL PRACTIGAL BULB GROWING. 



from time to time this must be made good by the addition of 

 fresh supplies, and if necessary by the substitution for the original 

 liquid of sweet, fresh water ; it is not desirable to have recourse 

 to the latter expedient unless the water becomes objectionable, as 

 the roots may be damaged in the process to a serious extent. If it 

 be imperative, have fresh water and charcoal immediately at hand, 

 withdraw the roots, turn out the stagnant water, thoroughly rinse 

 the receptacle, and put in the fresh supplies as quickly and as care- 

 fully as possible, never during the operation allowing draughts to 

 strike upon the roots. In reading this sounds quite a long and 

 laborious task, but in reality it will prove to be the work of a very 

 few inoments. 



When the bulbs are in position the glasses must be put in a 

 dark cupboard, or other convenient place, in the same way and for 

 precisely the same purpose as bulbs in pots. Here they may remain 

 until such time as they have made ample root growth, no cognisance 

 whatever being taken of the leaf growth in this case. 



The support that is essential in pot culture becomes doubly so 

 with plants in glasses, as they have absolutely no anchorage at all. 

 Home-made contrivances may be employed if desired, but they are 

 not usually as satisfactory as the properly formed wire supports that 

 are sold by bulb merchants expressly for the purpose. These are of 

 very- moderate price, and with proper care will last an indefinite 

 period ; they are neat in appearance, very strong, and can be adjusted 

 in a second or two. When bulbs in glasses have done flowering it is 

 best to throw them away, as they are so much exhausted by bringing 

 large spikes to perfection under such unnatural conditions that they 

 are not worth a moment's retention. These cultural remarks may 

 be accepted as applying to all kinds of bulbs that are grown in 

 water, and are not intended to refer to Hyacinths alone, though 

 these are named as examples, they being far away the most popular, 

 and, it may be added, the most satisfactory for the purpose. 



