118 PIGTOBIAL FBAGTIGAL BULB GBOWING. 



Chapter XXXV — fipacintbs* 



The cultivation of Hyacinths in pots had a much greater vogue 

 a decade or two ago than it is favoured with at the present time. 

 One could then see them in every greenhouse and conservatory 

 in considerable nuiubers, whereas now they are either absent or 

 so poorly grown that they fail to make themselves conspicuous. 



The reasons for this diminution in popularity may probably be 

 found in the increased variety of plants which we have at command, 

 to the fact that the majority of people now prefer to have plants 

 of more graceful habit, and such as will provide far more valuable 

 material for cutting, and again in the apparent inferiority of the 

 bulbs that come \o us from Holland. 



Certain it is that the instances of the magnificent spikes which 

 were contributed to exhibitions in various districts, and the 

 equally splendid specimens in many a score of gardens, are compara- 

 tively limited, though happily not absolutely unknown. The bulbs 

 that reach this country in such vast numbers do not, in outward 

 appearance at any rate, suggest any material falling off in quality, 

 but it is a rare event to find Hyacinths in their several varied colours 

 of that quality which compels our appreciation, even while we 

 are out of sympathy with the formality of the flower. 



For bedding purposes it seems that instead of depreciating in 

 general esteem they are steadily gaining, for their value for spring 

 bedding forces itself upon everyone. There is no doubt that beds 

 planted with Hyacinths of distinct colours are strikingly handsome, 

 and in addition to this, in a hurrying, scurrying age such as ours, the 

 fact that they are easily grown speaks loudly in their favour. 



We see, however, even in this phase of Hyacinth culture, signs 

 of a gradual but. none the less sure change. Time was when the one 

 kind only was employed, and it was the exception rather than the 

 rule for a carpeting to be used ; while the inclusion of some totally 

 dissimilar bulb was regarded as a sacrilege rather than an improve- 

 ment. Look on every hand now, and what do we see 1 Are not, 

 broadly speaking, all the beds planted with something that will 

 hide the nakedness of the ground ? x\nd do we not see scores of beds 

 in which some handsome Narcissus, like Sir Watkin, Emperor, or 

 Empress, is in association 



Before giving a number of varieties as amongst the best in 

 their several colours, it may, perhaps, be well to say that almost 

 without exception the single varieties are superior to the double 

 forms, as well for bedding as for cultivation in pots. In any 



