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J. M. THORBURN & CO.'S CATALOGUE OF BULBS 



HYACINTHS 



THESE BULBS ARE READY FOR DELIVERY IN SEPTEMBER 



The Hyacinth is one of the most popular and beautiful 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 any one suitable sorts, when desired. 



OUTSIDE CULTURE. In this section, October is the month to plant Hyacinths outside. They suc- 

 ceed best in a light soil and 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 

 insu-res proper drainage. After the ground has been frozen in early winter, cover with a few inches of 

 dry litter, everi^reen 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 bulb should remain above the soil. The pots should then be buried in the open ground 

 to the depth of 6 inches, and left there for five or six weeks, until they are well filled with roots. They 

 may then be taken into the house, where the warmth will soon bring them into flower. Where a succes- 

 sion is desired, it is best to pot at intervals from September till the end of November. Plenty of water 

 should be applied, and manure-water is beneficial after the flower-spikes appear. 



CULTURE IN GLASSES. Single varieties are better adapted for culture in 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 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 gaslight. 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 u'ell to leave the selections to us, only speci- 

 fying 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, and the7 

 are not sold under fancy names manufactured in this country. 



