HYACINTH. 



141 



four years. The latter rule must be respected ; because, 

 if planted a year earlier, the decayed remains of the old 

 bulbs would bring disease to the newly planted bulbs. 

 The usual custom in Holland is to plant a bed the first 

 year with Hyacinths, the second with Tulips, the third 

 with Polyanthus Narcissus, and it is considered desira- 

 ble to plant something similar the fourth year. The 

 bed is generally prepared for Hyacinths the fourth sea- 

 son. Between December and February the ground is 

 dug two or three feet deep. In March the soil is covered 

 to the depth of three inches with cow manure, then 

 spaded in a foot deep. During the summer, vegetables, 

 or annuals, which do not exhaust the soil, are grown on 

 the bed. The following autumn the soil is dug two 

 feet deep, taking care to let the manure, which was 

 put on in the spring, remains a foot deep in the earth. 



In the beginning of October, planting commences in 

 the following manner : The whole piece of ground 

 allotted for Hyacinths is divided into beds about five feet 

 in width. The soil is taken from the surface of the first 

 bed to the depth of from three to five inches, according 

 to the size of the bulbs to be planted, and conveyed to 

 the further side of the last bed in the piece of ground to 

 be planted. The first bed then is carefully raked over 

 and divided into rows a foot apart, and the bulbs placed 

 on these rows, without pressing down, about six inches 

 apart. The second bed is dug out in like manner, and 

 the earth which is taken from it is used for covering the 

 bulbs in the first bed ; and in this manner they proceed 

 to the last bed, which is covered with the earth of the 

 first bed. Very large, strong growing bulbs are planted 

 six inches deep, and further apart ; while small bulbs, 

 such as are incapable of producing flowers, are scattered 

 closely in the rows, and not covered so deeply. The 

 weather should be dry during the time of planting, as 

 continued wet weather is liable to cause rot. 



