140 BULBS AND TUBEROUS-ROOTED PLANTS. 



Field Culture of Hyacinth Bulbs. — Much lias 



been said and written in regard to the cultivation of the 

 Hyacinth. "We shall give all the information known in 

 regard to culture, as is practiced in Holland, informa- 

 tion we have received from the best growers, and on 

 their own grounds. It is well to remark here that the 

 conditions of soil, in which the Hyacinth finds so con- 

 genial a home in Holland, can rarely be found elsewhere. 

 And further, that the Hyacinth will perfect its bloom, 

 from bulbs grown in Holland, in any soil, or in water, 

 even, providing all other conditions are favorable. Deep 

 in the hidden scales of the bulb commenced last year 

 those wonderful preparations, which will surely develop 

 the flower this year, under almost any circumstances. 

 The important part of cultivation consists in bringing 

 the bulb up to the proper condition for flowering when 

 we receive it. 



The Hyacinth likes a very sandy, well-prepared, fine 

 and light soil, entirely free from stone or gravel, conse- 

 quently looking as though it had been passed through a 

 fine sieve. All kinds of loam or stiff soil, which bind so 

 closely together that, when dry, the wind cannot sepa- 

 rate their particles, as it does those of sand, must be 

 avoided. In Holland a soil is considered particularly 

 good which is light gray, and which resembles fine, very 

 sandy and light garden mold. This soil, which is very 

 light of itself, is made still lighter by the addition of the 

 thin sand of the Dutch downs, which is of a }3ale yellow 

 color, and very fine. The only manure used is from the 

 cow-stable, which must be quite pure, and not mixed 

 with straw or any other substance. 



In preparing the Hyacinth beds, particular attention 

 is paid to the following rules : 1. That no stimulating 

 fertilizer must be mixed with the soil for a period of 

 four years previous to planting. 2. That Hyacinths 

 must not be grown in the same soil oftener than once in 



