MARKET PLANTS— HYACINTHS AND TULIPS. 



297 



addition to what is done on the Scilly Isles, are devoted to the production of unforced 

 flowers. All the hyacinths, and nearly all the tulips forced, are from imported bulbs, as 

 also are the greater proportion of narcissi and daffodils. 



ROMAN HYACINTHS. 

 These are the most popular with growers, and fairly remunerative. The best bulbs 

 come from the south of France, certain districts being famed for them. They cost 35s. 

 to 55s. per 1,000, or at all events that is as much as ought to bo paid for them. The 

 first strong spikes usually realise lOd. per dozen early in the season, and 6d. to 8d. later. 

 Smaller succcssional spikes (two or more) from the same bulbs may be said to represent 

 the profit, these selling at 6d. per dozen, occasionally less. If the bulbs are received in 

 August, or early in September, commence potting and boxing at once. Herring boxes at 

 9d. per dozen answer well for these and various other bulbs. "Eomans" (page 225) 

 may be packed almost close together in either pots or boxes, using rich loamy soil. 

 Arrange in large beds in the open, give a watering and cover with four inches of ashes 

 or common sand. These early bulbs are rather slow in rooting. When the roots are 

 finding their way out of the boxes or pots, and top growth has commenced, clear them 

 of ashes, and commence forcing a portion of the plants at once. Three weeks or a 

 month after potting the first, a second batch should be done, and similarly treated. All 

 ought to be placed in soil before they have formed many roots in the bags or boxes 

 they are stored in. These hyacinths are easily grown, and flower without the expen- 

 diture of much fire-heat. To succeed the Eomans, miniature Dutch hyacinths, the 

 bulbs being a year younger than those sold for conservatory decoration, are grown. 

 Each gives a good spike, and will stand gentle forcing. The pure whites are in the 

 greater demand, and much the dearer to buy, the bulbs costing from 45s. to 70s. per 

 1,000. The spikes frequently fetch 2s. per dozen. These and the coloured varieties 

 may be flowered in boxes, or three bulbs can be placed in a 5-inch pot, and if the spikes 

 are not drawn up too much, these pots of plants will sell at from 4s. to 6s. per dozen. 

 To flower at Easter, when the best prices for white hyacinths are given, the plants 

 must be retarded in cold frames. 



TULIPS. 



At one time Tulips were nearly or quite as popular as hyacinths with market 

 growers, but they have had to give way to narcissi and daffodils. They are still 

 vol. in. q a 



