2 



J. M. Thorburn & Co. — Catalogue op Bulbs. 



Hyacinths. 



Hyacinths are ready for delivery in September. 



The Hyacinth is one of the most popular and beautiful of spring-flowering plants for indoor and 

 outdoor decorations. By careful management in keeping up a succession, they may be had in flower 



from the beginning of winter to the end of May. 

 For a spring display in the open ground they are 

 unexcelled. Brilliant effects can be obtained by 

 massing different colors in varieties that grow 

 about the same height and bloom at the same time. 

 We furnish very large numbers for this purpose to 

 public parks and cemeteries, and we shall be 

 pleased to recommend to anyone suitable sorts, 

 when desired. 



OUTSIDE CULTURE.— October is the month to 

 plant Hyacinths outside. They succeed best in a 

 light soil and in a sunny situation. If the soil is 

 naturally heavy some sand should be mixed with 

 it; and if the beds have been occupied with other 

 plants throughout the summer, some well -rotted 

 cow manure should be added. The soil should be 

 well dug to a depth of 14 inches, and raised from 

 2 to 4 inches above the level of the walk. The 

 bulbs should be planted evenly, about 6 inches 

 deep to the bottom of the bulb, and from 6 to 7 

 inches apart; if planted at uneven depths they 

 will not bloom at the same time, but irregularly. Care must be taken not to press the earth too firmly 

 around and over the bulbs; some successful gardeners follow the plan of setting each bulb in a handful of 

 clean sand, which insures proper drainage. After the ground has become frozen in early winter, cover 

 with a few inches of dry litter, evergreen boughs or coarse manure. If this covering be applied before 

 freezing weather, it renders the bulbs liable to the predations of field mice, which may burrow in it. 



CULTURE IN POTS. For growing in pots, large, selected, named varieties should be used. They 

 should be potted singly in 5-inch, or 6-inch pots. Three bulbs in a 7-inch pot are very effective. The 

 best potting compost is fibry loam and manure in about equal parts, with some river sand intermixed. 

 The pots should be filled lightly, and the bulb pressed into the soil so that its base is firmly fixed. 

 About one-third of the bulbs should remain above the soil. The pots should then be buried in the 

 open ground to the depth of six inches, and left there for five or six weeks, until the pots are well filled 

 with roots. They may then be taken into the house, where the warmth will soon bring them into 

 flower. Where a succession is desired, it is best to pot at intervals from September till the end of 

 November. Plenty of water should be always applied, and manure-water is beneficial after the flower- 

 spikes appear. 



CULTURE IN GLASSES. Single varieties are better adapted for culture iu glasses than double 

 ones. The bulb should be placed so that the base is just in contact with the water. Soft rain-water 

 should be used, and a little charcoal might be placed in it to keep it pure. The glasses should be kept 

 in a cool, dark closet for ten or twelve days, until roots are formed, and then exposed to the light and 

 air as much as possible. Do not place them near gas light. In very cold weather the glasses should 

 be removed from the window, as the bulbs cannot stand frost. The water should never be allowed to 

 freeze, and it should be changed every two or three days. 



Persons unacquainted with the different varieties will do well to leave the selections to us, only 

 specifying in their orders whether the bulbs are wanted for pot, glass or garden culture. 



We invite special attention to the assortments of named Hyacinths of our selection offered on 

 page 4, and to the Hyacinth Glasses which are described at the end of the Catalogue. 



The names of our Hyacinths and Tulips are those given to them by the originators in Holland. 



