2 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



every season, relegating the old ones to mixed 

 flower borders, where, if undisturbed, they may 

 flower freely every spring. Plant during October, 

 not later, in separate colours rather than in an 

 indiscriminate mixture, and in well-manured, 

 deeply-dug, freely-worked soil. Avoid undue 

 trampling of the ground, and plant the bulbs 



8 inches apart, but if they are to be associated with 

 carpeting plants, another 3 inches should be 

 allowed. The bulbs ought to rest on silver sand, 

 and be covered with 3 to 4 inches of soil. Too 

 late or shallow planting, and especially both, end 

 in failure ; early and deep planting, in success 

 (see d and e in the illustration). What are known 



Fig. 97. Increasing and Planting Bulbs. 



e erences : — a, old Hyacinth bulb ; Z>, offsets removed ; c, method of producing bulblets ; d, result of too shallow 

 and late (spring) planting; e, result of deeper early (autumn) planting. — N.B. Daffodils and Tulips are 

 increased by division in the same way as Hyacinths. 



as miniature hyacinths are simply young bulbs of 

 the ordinary varieties. These may be planted 

 closer together. All should be supported by neat 

 stakes before the wind can break them down. 

 Hyacinths are increased by division (see a and b, 

 Fig. 97), in this country, but the bulk of those 

 imported are raised from seed, or from bulblets 



which are induced to form from the base of the 

 scales (c) by cutting the bulbs before planting. 

 Feather hyacinth (Muscari comosum monstrosum), 

 grape hyacinth (Muscari botryoides) and musk 

 hyacinth (Muscari moschatum) are all showy during 

 March, April, and May, but are more often seen in 

 borders than flower-beds, as they do not bear 



