HYACINTH. 



147 



Many persons make the growing of Hyacinths a 

 hobby. This is very commendable, for it stimulates the 

 production of new varieties, with a view toward improve- 

 ment; and whenever a new variety is brought out, it is 

 eagerly sought, at a high price, to the great encouragement 

 of the producer, and to the convenience of the general 

 consumer, for, as soon as the novelty is worn off, the price 

 is reduced to that of the standard sorts. It is a mistake, 

 in the selection of Hyacinths for the open border, to 

 choose the largest bulbs, which are usually the highest 

 priced ; it is much better to get what is known as second- 

 sized bulbs, not simply because they are cheaper, but 

 because they are better, as they will not break up into 

 small bulbs, as the larger ones invariably do after the 

 first year, each part producing a weak spike with but 

 few bells, but the small bells will grow on for two or 

 three years, giving a fine spike each year. We do not 

 advise the use of mixed bulbs, but, rather, what are usu- 

 ally termed "Bedding Hyacinths," which simply means 

 second or third sized bulbs of the standard varieties, such 

 as have been in cultivation for the last hundred years, 

 and within that period but little real improvement has 

 been made in Hyacinths, either as regards size, form or 

 color, excepting so far as double forms may be consid- 

 ered an improvement, notwithstanding there are annually 

 brought out a score or more of "novelties." These 

 bulbs differ only from the first size, in not having been 

 grown so long, by one or two years, which allows of their 

 being sold materially cheaper. 



Growing Hyacinths in Pots. — For pot culture 

 there is no plant that succeeds better, or gives more gen- 

 eral satisfaction, than the Hyacinth ; certainly there is 

 none other more easily managed. For this purpose 

 select solid, heavy bulbs, without regard to size ; second- 

 sized bulbs will generally prove quite as satisfactory as 

 the larger ones. For a single bulb a five-inch pot is 



