? 



MINIATURE HYAGUSTTHS. 121 



Even when the varieties are specially named, the course is just as 

 imperative, as absolutely sound bulbs, of medium to large size, 

 and heavy for their size, are then chosen. In pot culture perfect 

 soundness is beyond question desirable, but in water growing it is 

 the chief essential to success. A few varieties, again, do not succeed 

 at all when put into glasses, and for these reasons the selection 

 is almost invariably best left to the dealer, in the certain knowledge 

 that the best that can be done will be done. 



Hyacinths for Forcing. 



Directly one speaks of Hyacinths for forcing one's mind irresistibly 

 pictures the most valuable of all, the Early AYhite Eoman. We have, 

 it is true, the Italian varieties, which are also responsive to forcing 

 treatment, but they pale into insignificance beside the Eoman. The 

 majority of the Dutch varieties can be accelerated in flowering with 

 perfect safety provided that only the gentlest forcing tactics are 

 adopted, but they are never so satisfactory as when allowed to 

 advance quite naturally. 



The finest of the Dutch varieties for the purpose indicated is 

 probably the double white La Tour d'Auvergne, which will stand any 

 reasonable amount of extra heat. 



Miniature Hyacinths. 



In comparison with the typical Dutch Hyacinth, it is fair to say 

 that the miniatures are toys, and are not, therefore, worthy of serious 

 attention. For one purpose they no doubt have a substantial value, 

 and that is for children, who, while small themselves, may prefer a 

 small rather than an adult bulb. This is a phase of bulb growing that 

 might well be accorded much greater encouragement, for the pro- 

 duction of really excellent miniature Hyacinths is vrell within the 

 powers of the little ones, whose interest in flowers is beyond question 

 increased when they can watch the progress of their own nurselings. 

 The bulbs may be placed in water or soil, preferably the latter. 



The culture of Hyacinths is trecitecl on in the openiiig chapters. 



CDapter XXXVI^-irises. 



Whoeyee the person may have been that gave the popular name of 

 "Poor Man's Orchid" to the Iris family, he was certainly something 

 of a genius, for a more fitting designation could not possibly be 

 conceived. Orchids are, speaking broadly, the flowers of the few, but 

 Irises are literally the flowers of the many, for judicious selection 

 will afi'ord those that will grow anywhere. 



Widely as they are grown at the present time, it were an 



