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



3 



Hyacinths 



THESE BULBS ARE READY FOR 

 DELIVERY IN SEPTEMBER 



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

 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, une.xcelled. Brilliant effects can be ob- 

 tained 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. In this section, October is the month to plant Hyacinths outside. They succeed 

 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 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 will soon 

 bring them into flower. Where a succession is desired, it is best to pot at intervals from September to 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 to 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. 



Customers 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 quoted 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 



Select Named Dutch Hyacinths 



TV' ^- Our Select Named Hyacinths are the cream of the Holland 

 nurseries — and are called top-roots— under their original names. Tor 

 forcing in pots or for outdoor beds they far surpass the class of 'Bulbs 

 usually sold. 



The single-flowered varieties are generally more effective and better 

 for forcing than the double ones. They also, as a rule, succeed better in 

 glasses. The double varieties are distinguished by an asterisk (*),and those 

 of them that do well for forcing in water, by two asterisks(**). 



Not less than six of one kind sold at the dozen rate 



Named Blue Hyacinths 



Each 



Baron Van Thuyll. Fine deep blue $0 12 



**Blocksberg. Double; light blue; large spike. 15 

 Captain Boyton. Sky-blue; large bells and 



truss 15 



Charles Dickens. Blue; early 15 



Czar Peter. Light porcelain-blue and lav- 

 ender 12 



Enchantress. Pale porcelain, tinted lilac, 



light center 12 



*Garrick. Double; bright blue 15 



♦General Kohler. Double; bright blue; large 



spike; fine forcer 20 



Grand Maitre. Large truss; deep porcelain- 

 blue; extra fine 12 



Grand Lilas. SiK^ery lilac; fine spike 15 



Johan. Clear blue; large bells 15 



King of the Blues. Dark blue; extra-large 



spike 15 



La Peyrouse. Clear porcelain-blue 12 



Lord Derby. Light porcelain-blue. 15 



Marie. Dark blue; large spike 12 



Potgieter. Light blue 15 



Queen of the Blues. Light blue 15 



Regulus. Light blue; large bells and spike. . 15 



4 H 



Single Hyacinth, Queen of the Blues (Light blue) 



