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



HYACINTHS 



flowers. Its culture 

 is very simple, and 

 if attention is paid 

 to the -following di- 

 rections failure is 

 almost impossible. 



The Hyacinth is so well and favorably known 

 that any description of it or any statement of 

 its merits would be superfluous. Through cen- 

 turies 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 



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 

 manure if it is at hand. Set the bulbs so 

 that the tops Avill be between two 

 and three inches below the sur- 

 face and six to ten inches apart, 

 wath 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 

 warm as by freezing. The cover- 

 ing may be removed in March, 

 and the result 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 perfectly dry; then after removing 

 the old leaves and stems they will be 

 ready to pack away in a cool, dry place 

 for autumn use. 



SINGLE HYACINTHS. p^t Culture in the House—Plant 



from September to December in rich, 

 sandy loam, in four or five inch pots, inserting the bulb (base downward) so that the 

 ver}^ top is just above the surface. 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. 



GIdSS 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 sufficiently 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. 



All single Hyacinths succeed well in glasses, and when forced. The double ones marked {*) are also desirable for forcing. 



