898 



THE PRACTICAL OARDENF.K. 



[May. 



POLYANTHUSES IN POTS. 



The directions given for auriculas are also applicable to 

 polyanthuses ; they are much seldomer found in pots, generally 

 succeeding perfectly when planted out in a shady border. 



HYACINTHS IN BEDS. 



The hyacinths which may still be in flower, should be pro- 

 tected, by being covered as directed last month, and those 

 which are past flowering should be taken up. But this should 

 not be done until the leaves become withered and yellow, and 

 begin to decay. A dry day should be chosen for taking up 

 those roots ; and as they are taken up they should be placed 

 upon mats, or some di-y clean place, to dry and harden. In 

 the course of a fortnight they will be fit to be cleaned and 

 laid by till their season of planting comes on. 



TAKING UP BULBS WHICH ARE NOW PAST FLOWERINO. 



As the bulbous-rooted plants first planted will now have 

 finished flowering, and their leaves beginning to decay, they 

 should be carefully taken up, and stored in a dry airy room 

 luitil the season of planting arrives. It is not necessary that 

 all bulbous-rooted plants be thus taken annually up, but it is 

 necessary for all the finer sorts, in order that the roots may be 

 examined and the offsets or young roots removed, which is the 

 mode by which these plants propagate themselves. Besides, 

 the bulbs being taken up and kept in a dry place, have thereby 

 a respite from action, which respite can be lengthened at the 

 pleasure of the cultivator. Bulbs so treated are supposed to 

 flower stronger than if they were left altogether in the ground. 

 Whether this be the case or not, it is an important feature in 

 their cultivation to take them up annually, and the less valu- 

 able ones in. two, three, or four years, according to circum- 

 stances, that tin ir offsets may be taken off' for increasing the 

 stock, as well as preventing an unnecessary number of plants 

 fi-om springing from the same centre, and thereby becoming 



