CULTURE OF THE HYACINTH. 
9 
To grow Hyacinths to perfection, the following rules may not be without 
their use : — 
1. The soil should not be too heavy, but of a fine rich nature. Let the compo- 
nent parts for a bed be as follows :— equal parts of rich loam, taken from the top 
spit of a pasture field, very rotten cow-dung, at least two years old, leaf-mould, 
peat, and fine sand. Break the turf well, throw it in a heap, and frequently turn 
it, until it is well rotted, then mix the whole together, and allow the compost to 
lie, if possible, six months before it is used. Sea-sand is preferable to any other if 
it can be procured. 
2. The bed on which the bulbs are to be planted, should be made about four 
feet wide, in a warm and dry situation, for, although hyacinths grow freely in water 
alone, they soon receive injury or entirely perish if planted in wet situations. 
3. When the situation for the bed is determined upon, dig out the soil two feet 
deep, and loosen that at the bottom of the trench, so that all superfluity of moisture 
may be able to drain away ; then lay about four inches of rotten cow-dung at the 
bottom, and fill the trench with the above compost to eight inches above the surface 
of the surrounding ground in the centre, and two or three inches at the sides of the 
bed. Some persons make their beds with a regular slope from back to front, facing 
the south ; and this system is not without its advantages. 
4. Always make the bed by the middle of October, which will be about a 
fortnight before the time of planting. This gives it time to settle properly. 
5. Choice of Bulbs. — The bulbs most likely to flower best are those of a middle 
size, solid, and conical ; all flat crowned Ones are apt to break into offsets, and at 
best produce very poor flowers. 
6. Time of Planting. — The best time for planting is the beginning of November, 
although some persons do it as early as the third week in September, but when 
done so early the plants usually appear above ground in the depth of winter ; others 
again do not plant till the end of November, or even later ; but in this case the 
roots become greatly weakened by their tendency to vegetate. 
7. Manner of Planting. — The bed having well settled, prepare to plant by 
raking the surface smooth and level, then spread over the whole about an inch 
thickness of dry sandy soil, mark out the rows on the bed either lengthways or 
across (the former looks the best), eight inches apart; this can readily be done 
either by means of a line, or, if across, a rod. Having marked out the rows, mark 
the exact spot for each bulb in the rows eight inches apart, planting them so as to 
form triangles. Lay in each marked spot a small quantity of sand for the bulbs to 
rest upon. 
8. This being done, select the bulbs and place them in the situations appointed 
for them, carefully avoiding two of the same colour coming in contact with each 
other ; then take a handful of sand and place it upon and around each bulb, so as 
to cover it. After which cover the whole bed with fresh light loam until the bulbs 
are covered two inches deep, smooth the surface, and the business is completed. 
9. To Preserve from Rains and Frost. — Some persons follow the practice of 
covering the beds with three or four inches of rotten dung, but this is always 
VOL II. — no. i. c 
