D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 



HYACINTHS 



The Hyacinth is so well and favorably known that 

 any description of it or any statement of its merits 

 would be superfluous. Through centuries of careful 

 cultivation and selection it has been brought to a 

 state of perfection which will scarcely be improved in any great degree. It succeeds 

 well in the house and garden, adorning both with the varied colors and delicious 

 fragrance of its showy flowers. Its culture is very simple, and if attention is paid to the 

 following directions failure is almost impossible. 



Out-Door Culture in Beds or Borders,— The bulbs may be planted almost any 

 time from October to December, before the Winter frosts set in. They succeed in any 

 good, well drained garden soil. Dig deep, and mix in a little thoroughly decomposed 

 m-inure if it is at hand. Set the bulbs so that the tops will be between two and three 

 inches below the surface and six to ten 

 inches apart, with a little sand under 

 and about them if it is convenient, being 

 careful that none of the manure comes 

 in direct contact with the bulbs. 



Before very severe weather comes on, 

 it is necessary to cover the beds with 

 straw, leaves or manure, to protect them 

 from the severe cold during Winter, but 

 care should be taken that this covering 

 is not too thick and dense, as the bulbs 

 are as likely to be injured by being kept 

 too A\ arm as by freezing. The covering 

 may be removed in March, and the re- 

 sult will be certain. 



In ordinary seasons the bulbs will 

 flower from the middle of April onward. 

 The flowers may be cut freely as wanted 

 without injury to the bulbs. When the 

 flowers fade the flower stalk should be 

 removed, to strengthen the bulbs, and 

 when the leaves have faded, the bulbs 

 should be lifted and allowed to remain 

 a week or two in open boxes until per- 

 fectly dry ; then after removing the old 

 leaves and stems they will be ready to 

 pack away in a cool, dry place for Au- 

 tumn use. 



Pot Culture in the ffouse.— Plan 

 from September to December in rich, 

 sandy loam, in four or five inch pots, 

 inserting the bulb (base downward) so 

 that the very top is just above the sur- 

 face. Do not pack the soil in the pots, as the bulbs will be much less liable to push 

 out when the root growth commences if the soil is loose. Water thoroughly and set 

 the pots away in a cool, dark place for several weeks. This will allow the roots to grow 

 and become firmly fixed in the soil, when the plants can be brought into the light, and 

 will at once commence the top growth. By bringing the pots into the light at different 

 times, something of a succession of bloom may be had. During their growth they 

 should be kept near the light and at a temperature of 50 to 70 degrees, and watered 

 frequently. 



Glass Culture. — To grow in glasses, select a dark colored glass, fill with water 

 until the base of the bulb rests on the water, and set away in the dark as directed for 

 pot culture. Fill up the glass with water as fast as it evaporates. If the water becomes 

 impure, it should be changed and the roots well cleansed before putting in again. A 

 small piece of charcoal put in the glass will keep the water pure much longer. After 

 the roots have attained a good growth, |the glass can be brought into the light and 

 placed in a cool room near a window. Give them as much fresh air as possible without 

 a direct draught, plenty of light, and keep the glasses sutflciently full of water. Do not 

 keep them in a close, warm room, nor about a fire-place. If removed out of the direct 

 rays of the sun when in bloom, the flowers will last longer. 



A/l single Hyacinths succeed -well in glasses ^ajid when forced. The double ones 

 marked (*) are also desirable for forcing. 



SINGLE HYACINTHS. 



