OF THEIR ILLUSTRATED FLORAL GUIDE. 9 



After the early part of December, Hyacinths intended to bloom in glasses of water would flower better 

 if first grown iu pots, where they, may remain till nearly in bloom, when the soil should be caa-ei'uUy 

 washed 'from the roots before being placed in the glasses. 



Time of Pueohasing the Hyacikth. 

 This information is as important to the purchaser as any we can give. The best Hyacinth roots 

 an-ive in London from the 20th of August to the 5th of September : orders should therefore be given for 

 these as soon after that time as possible. If it be inconvenient to plant them immediately, they may be 

 placed on a cool diy shelf tdl wanted. 



To SnCCKSSFULLT DEVELOFE HTACINTH FlOWEES. 



Light and fresh air are the great essentials — the former gives colour to the flower, the latter imparts 

 health and vigour to the plant. The Hyacmth should, therefore, when in growth, be placed in the 

 lightest situation at command, and, if possible, have the benefit of the mornmg sun. It shoidd never be 

 kept in a close, hot room, and sudden changes of atmosphere, especially fi-om heat to cold, should be 

 sedulously guarded against. 



How TO Cultivate the Hyacinth in the sitting-eoom in prepaeed Cocoa-Fibre and Chaecoal. 



" Om- prepared Cocoa-fibre and Charcoal " is a much better medium for flowering bulbs in than 

 either water, sand, or moss, in all the elegant contrivances suggested for the adornment of the sitting- 

 room and drawing-room. 



We recommend its use in Hyacinth glasses, fancy flower-pots, vases, jardinets, &c., where the drainage 

 is imper-fect. The preparation is free from impurities, and possesses a gentle stimulus ; the bulbs root 

 freely into it, and produce fine spikes of bloom. Another important recommendation om' prepared 

 cocoa-fibre and charcoal possesses is its retention of moistirre for a long time. Unless in a very hot 

 room, two or three good waterings will be sufficient fi'om the time of planting tni the bulbs are in bloom, 

 so that the amatem- Ls relieved from the daily anxiety lest his favomite gToup of forthcoming flowers 

 should sirfiEer from want of water. 



Place at the bottom of the jardinet, &c., a handful or so of rough charcoal, and fiU up with the pre- 

 paration ; plant the Hyacinths thickly, associating with them Snowdrops, Scilla Sibirica, early-flowering 

 Tulips, Narcissus Bul'bocodium, free-flowering Crocus, and, if the space will admit, a few Pompon 

 Hyacinths ; cover the birlbs with the preparation, and neatly cover the sm-face with nice green carpet 

 moEs : the freslmess of the moss will be prolonged by occasionally damping it with a wet sponge, j 

 Sprinkle the plants overhead with tepid water two or three times a week. For price, of our prepared 

 Cocoa-Jibre and Charcoal, see pay e, 8. 



How to Cultivate the Hyacinth in Water, • 

 The following hints are simple, but ample. Use clean rain-water, and let it just touch the base of the 

 bulbs ; for three or fom- weeks keep them in a dark, cool situation. Avoid all disturbance of the rootlets; 

 therefore, never change the water while it remains sweet. As a purifier, place a piece of charcoal in the 

 glass. Never sufEer dust to remain on any part of the plant, but remove it daily with a camel-hah' 

 brush and water. ; 



How to Cultivate the Hyacinth successfully in Moss. 

 I At the bottom of the jardinet, &c., lay a handful of charcoal, on which place clean moss, and firmly 

 press it down ; on this plant the bulbs, and cover them with nice green carpet moss. Water overhead, 

 ■with tepid water, tvt'O or three times a-week, through a fine rose, till the plants are in bloom, 



j How to Cultivate the Hyacinth in Pots, \ 



' This is by far the most important method o^ cultivation. At any stage of growth, the Hyacinth can i 

 1 be removed from its pot ■without injur}', and arranged either in jardinets, flower-baskets, vases, transferred ' 

 I to Hyacinth glasses, or planted in the open border. With a Uttle management, the beauty and dehghtful 

 fragrance of this \viriter and spring favourite may be enjoyed from the begianing of January to the 

 end of April, either in the sitting-room or conservatory. I 

 A free, porous soil is indispensable, and one composed of equal parts of turfy loam, thorougldy rotted j 

 I co^w-dung, and leaf soil, or, instead of the latter, our prepai-ed cocoa-fibre and charcoal, adding about one- ' 

 I eighth part of shaip sand, all of which sho^-Qd be well mixed before being used. This compost, however, 

 : cannot always be commanded ; use instead any good, light soil, mixed with silver sand, and our prepared 

 I Cocoa-Fibre and Charcoal. For one bulb, use a four or four and a-half inch pot ; for three bulbs, a five 

 i and a-half inch pot -will be sirfiicient. At the bottom of the pot place some pieces of potsherd or charcoal, 

 I and on this some rough pieces of turfy loam, to insm'e good drainage ; then fill the pot ■with the prepared 

 , soil to within an inch of the top, placing the bulb in the centre, or, if thi'ee, at equal distances apart, 

 I pressing them hghtly into the soil, and filling up, leaving only the crowns uncovered ; moderately water, 

 and place them anywhere out of doors, on coal ashes, or anything that wUl secm-e good drainage ; then 

 ! fid the spaces between the pots with coal ashes, leaf soD, old tan, or common cocoa-fibre, and with the 

 i same material cover the pots over two or thi'ce inches. In five or six; weeks the pots ■will be full of roots, 

 j and may then be removed as requii-ed. If forced, let this be proceeded %vith gently and skilfidly, or the 

 i result will be very inferior flowers. 

 \ 



The successful Cultivation op the Hyacinth out of Doors. 

 _ Well does the Hyacinth deseiwe the most prominent position both in flower beds and in borders — the ! 

 dcUghtful fragrance, imposing massiveness, exquisite symmetry of its flowers, and perfect certainty of I 

 blooming, make it at once the most desirable of spring bedding plants. I 



If the soil be light or medium, it simply requires to be deeply dug and well worked ; if hea^vy, besides 

 deep digging and well working, the bulbs shoidd be smTounded with sand ; if wet, or subject to occasional 

 floodings, drain the gi-ound with a series of drains, three feet deep and ten feet apart, or raise the bed 

 six inches above the general level. When manure is added, use' thoroughly rotted cow-dung or leaf 

 soil ; and for ■winter protection cocoa-fibre looks best. 

 : In planting, the cro-wn of the bulb should be four inches at least rmder the sm-face, and to produce 

 : II very elEective display, the bulbs should be planted six inches apart. 



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