2 



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 out- 

 door decoration. By careful management in keeping up a succession, it may be had in flower from the 

 beginning of winter to the end of May. For a spring display in the open ground it is 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 insures 

 proper drainage. After the ground has been 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 fibrous 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 w^ll 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 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 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 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 well to leave the selection to us, only 

 specifying in their order whether 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 they are not sold under fancy names manufactured in this country. 



