CULTURE OF THE HYACINTH. 
11 
18. Forcing. — The bulbs of hyacinths are weakened by forcing, but they 
usually produce the finest offsets^ which, when judiciously treated, will soon flower 
very finely. There are two or three ways of growing them in houses, either in pots 
or glasses, or fine sea-sand. 
19. Growing 171 Pots. — In preparing pots for them, select such as are about 
four or six inches deep, according to the kind intended to be planted, and three 
inches wide ; put a little rotten dung in each pot ; fill each pot up with light rich 
soil, and plant the bulbs so shallow that nearly half the bulb stands above the soil. 
Plunge the pots in the open air, and cover them six or eight inches deep with rotten 
bark, or light sandy soil. During spring take them out as they are wanted to be 
brought into flower, and set them either in a greenhouse or in the window of a 
warm room. 
20. When the flowers begin to expand, and during the whole time of flowering, 
supply them with manure water ; but as soon as tlie flowers fade, and the leaves 
begin to decay, cease by degrees to water them, until at lengtli it is discontinued 
altogether, for when the leaves are dying water becomes injurious. 
21. Growing in Glasses. — The best kind of glasses for the purpose, are those of 
a dark green colour, the roots of the bulbs are not so liable to be injured as those 
in the light coloured ones : but with care either kind will do. 
22. Place the glasses in a light airy situation, and the water will require to be 
changed once in three or four days. 
23. If drawn up weakly, it will be necessary to support the stems with sticks? 
split at the bottom, so as to fit on the edge of the glasses at the top. This, however, 
will not be necessary if they be kept in a light and airy situation. 
24. When out of flower, plant them in pots of soil, to perfect their leaves ; 
place them in a situation where they will receive a gentle warmth ; water as often 
as they require it, until the leaves begin to fade ; then treat them as recommended 
before, and they will flower again the succeeding year. 
25. Growing in fine Sea-Sand. — It has been stated that hyacinths grow better in 
fine sea-sand than in water-glasses. We are scarcely prepared to speak either for or 
against the practice, having never tried the system. There is little doubt, however^ 
according to our judgment, but sand would answer, if it were kept constantly moist ; 
but if allowed to become dry, the bulb would evidently not make much progress. 
26. Diseases. — They are subject to numerous diseases, particularly one termed 
the ring : the cause of this malady is yet unknown. It has been found that 
bulbs, kept regularly in the open ground, are not liable to it like those dried and 
kept up in bags. The only remedy known is, to cut out the infected part as soon 
as it appears, and expose the wound to the influence of the sun and air, until it is 
healed. The crown of the bulb is sometimes injured by the bed being exposed to 
heavy rains : by this the bulbs will grow into ofF-sets, and not flower. Others again 
have their fibres injured from the same cause, by which means they flo^ver very 
weakly ; as they do also when infested with the wire-worm. 
27. Propagation hy Off-sets. — These may be planted on beds a fortnight sooner 
than the usual time of planting the flowering bulbs. Make the bed of good light 
