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THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Fig. 21. Hyacinth. 

 (Well-grown.) 



On no account leave the bulbs covered long enough for them to commence unfold- 

 ing their leaves, or the plants will be spoiled. The pots must be 

 withdrawn when the crowns are about the size of cob nuts, and then 

 the tender white growth ought not to be suddenly exposed to full 

 daylight, as in this case the points of the leaves are liable to be 

 damaged. As the pots are taken out of the ashes, place them in 

 shallow pits or frames, where they can be shaded and gradually 

 inured to the light till the crowns assume a green hue, and they 

 will soon not only endure, but benefit by, the sun ; or they may be 

 arranged on a cool, moist, greenhouse stage, and have small pots 

 inverted over the crowns for a few days, preparatory to full exposure. 



A temperature ranging from 50° to G0 P will bring them along 

 quite fast enough. Single varieties are the best for forcing. 

 Those which are allowed to develop in an ordinary greenhouse 

 temperature will produce much the finest spikes, such as repre- 

 sented in Fig. 21. Plants that are desired to flower early must 

 be gently forced, the effect of undue forcing is seen in Fig. 22, but 

 strong heat weakens the stems and injuriously affects the size and colours of the flowers. 



Adequate supplies of water are imperative ; if the soil get 

 so dry as to shrink from the pot, injury will be done. Weak 

 liquid manure may be given with advantage when the flower 

 spikes are developing : clear water and a cool airy position after 

 they are fully open. Bulbs that have been flowered in pots are of 

 no further use for producing imposing spikes of flowers, but if 

 taken care of, water being given till the leaves die down, they 

 may be kept till the autumn and planted in the borders with 

 every likelihood of their flowering the following spring; or if 

 placed close together in pots or boxes, afford small spikes that 

 are acceptable for cutting. 



Hyacinths in Glasses. — These flowers may be grown in 

 glasses of water by those who desire to have them, and it is 

 interesting to watch the progress of the roots. Proper hyacinth 

 glasses are surmounted with a circular top just large enough to 

 hold a bulb, and can be bought of most seedsmen. They should be nearly filled with 



Fig. 22. Hyacinth. 

 (Spoiled.) 



