HOW TO GROW HYACINTHS. 
The most suitable soil for growing Hyacinths is a rich, light sandy loam, but if the garden is not of such 
they will thrive in almost any other, providing the other conditions are favorable, and these are but few, because 
of the fact that all the preparations for flowering have been perfected in the years of the bulbs' development, the 
culmination of whicli is the last years of its growth. When the Dutch growers send the bulbs out they are in 
the best possible condition for flowering, and flower they will, more or less perfectly, in spite of all obstacles. 
For the open border but one condition is absolutely necessary, viz.: they must be protected against frost. 
Although they are classed with the hardy bulbs, they are by no means such, and where the bulbs are cultivated 
for purposes of sale the ground is so thoroughly mulched that the frost larely, if ever, touches the bulbs. The 
reason for this is that all bulbs are in active growth, under the ground, during the Fall and Winter, and if the 
frost enters the ground so as to prevent this the flowers are proportionately weakened. 
In planting the Hyacinth, no matter what the nature of the soil n\ay be, mnke it deep, and work in liberal 
quantities of well-rotted manure; in fact it is far better to pLnnt in soil made very rich for a previous crop, than in 
a soil recently enriched. If it is a heavy loam the bulbs should not be covered more than two inches; if in a 
light sandy soil cover them fully four inches. The earlier the bulbs are planted the better, as the looms that 
Nature uses to weave the fabrics of the beautiful flowers will have a longer time to perfect this work. Upon the 
approach of frost cover the beds with newly fallen leaves to the depth of six inches; this covering should be ex- 
tended at least eighteen inches beyond the bed on all sides, and then kept in place by evergreen boughs, brush 
or pieces of boards. If leaves are not at hand any mulch that will keep the frost out of the ground will answer. 
That which is the most convenient, and will answer the purpose, is to be preferred. Thus protected the Hya- 
cinth will be among the first plants to put in an appearance above ground in Spring. In our uncertain climate 
severe cold weather is a common occurrence after the plants have made considerable growth, even after the flowers 
appear. To prevent injury from this, some mats should be in readiness to throw over them when necessary. 
No further work will be required for the perfect development of the flower. 
If second size bulbs are used they will flower well for two or three years thereafter, and they may be left in 
the bed during summer, and between them may be sown seeds of favorite annuals, or bedding plants that do not 
exhaust the soil too much and send tk.elr roots down too deeply. 
HYACINTHS IN POTS. 
For pot culture there is no plant that succeeds better than the Hyacinth. Prepare the pot carefully as 
to drainage, and fdl them with such soil as is the most convenient, the same as it grown in the open ground. 
Let the soil under the bulb be quite loose, in order that their numerous roots may penetrate the soil without 
obstruction, but press the soil firmly around and over the bulb, which should* be even with the rim of the pot, 
which will afford more room for the roots. After potting they should be plunged in some convenient, unsightly 
place in the garden, where they can be easily reached at any time, and covered to the depth of a foot or more 
with soil, coal ashes, or whatever is the most convenient, and over this throw some coarse leaves or litter of any 
kind to keep the frost from the soil, in order that they may be reached without difficulty as wanted. 
Let them remain in this situation until the middle of December, by which time they will have made 
considerable growth; bring into the conservatory, or bring as many at a time as is desirable ; by bringing in a 
few at a time at intervals of two weeks, a succession can be kept until the flowers appear in the open border. 
When first brought in they should be kept as cool as convenient, the temperature not to fall below the freez- 
ing point. In short, let them take their chance in the living room. 
