Illustrated Catalogue of Dutch Flower Roots. 
Remarks on Cultivation, &c. (continued) . 
be removed before they push their way through, and be gradually 
introduced to light and air, keeping them in a cool shady position 
till tho leaves have fairly acquired their proper greenness. It 
may be hero remarked, that a slow and steady development is at 
all times preforable for the production of really fine spikes of 
bloom ; and that although the Hyacinth forces well, it should 
never be subjected to a higher temperature than seventy degrees, 
and should be removed from this to a cooler atmosphere as soon 
as the flower-spikes are formed, or a weakly growth of plant with 
a poor colour of flower will be the probable result. Hyacinths 
delight in an abundance of root moisture when growing, and 
are much improved by frequent manure waterings, and keeping 
the surface soil of pots loose by occasional stirring. Keep near 
tho glass, give plenty of air, and tie to neat stakes if the spikes 
become too tall. A slight shading when in flower will assist in 
lengthening the time of blooming. 
Time of Planting. — Those intended for early forcing 
should be planted in September, but October is decidedly the 
best month to plant for a general display in the greenhouse, etc. 
For later Spring-blooming a planting may bo made about the 
second week in November, but late flowers may always bo had 
by keeping back a few of the earlier-planted in a cool frame. 
Cultivation in Glasses. — The single-flowered varieties 
are at all times to be preferred for this purpose. Fill the 
glasses with pure river or rain water so as to almost touch the 
base of the bulb, and place a small piece or two of charcoal in 
each to keep the water pure, after which place them in a cool 
dark closet for a few weeks, or till their roots have nearly reached 
the bottom, when they should be gradually brought to tho light. 
As growth advances they should be kept as close as possible to 
the glass, have plenty of air and the benefit of wire supports 
before the spikes become top-heavy, replenishing the glasses 
from time to time as the water becomes absorbed. As Hyacinths 
in glasses will not thrive in rooms that are at times excessively 
heated by gas, etc., they should bo removed at such times as 
occasion may require, but should never be subjected to great or 
sudden heat or cold. 
Cultivation in the Open Ground.— Few objects 
are more beautiful in Spring than beds of choice Hyacinths, 
either in distinct colours or mixed. They succeed well in any 
good garden soil, but have a decided preference for that which 
is well-drained, light, and rich. Fork up the ground to the 
depth of eighteen inches, adding a liberal quantity of well- 
decayed manure, and if the ground is heavy a good portion of 
coarse sand. Plant the bulbs as early as convenient in October, 
about six inches apart, and with their crowns at least four inches 
below the surface ; no protection will be necessary unless in very 
exposed situations, and then only in extremely severe weather. 
When blooming is over, and the leaves show signs of decay, the 
bulbs may be lifted to make way for tho Summer bedding plants, 
and stored in a cool, dry place for future planting. 
Early Roman Hyacinths. 
This deliciously fragrant and very early flowering variety 
should be much more extensively grown than it is at present. 
13y planting early in September and gently forcing, the Early 
White Roman may be had in bloom in November, and a few 
successive plantings at intervals of about a fortnight will ensure 
a continuance of bloom till after Christmas. Both in bulb and 
flower they are smaller than the ordinary Hyacinth, and should 
consequently be planted five or six in a pot. The delicately 
scented pure white flowers, which are produced in great 
profusion, are exceedingly valuable to cut for bouquets, &c., 
coming at a season when there is usually a great scarcity. 
Tulips. 
Nothing can surpass the brilliant and charming effect pro- 
duced by the judicious planting of these in beds of well selected 
colours and varieties, and grown in this way or planted in 
clumps or lines of distinct colours, in association with Narcissi 
and other Spring flowers, or as broad marginal lines in front of 
shrubbery borders, their effect when in bloom is strikingly 
beautiful. Tulips are perfectly hardy and are easily cultivated, 
and will grow to perfection out of doors in almost any soil that 
is fairly rich and open and not too wet; a light rich sandy soil 
is, however, the best, and if possible au open sunny position 
should be selected for them, where they are sheltered from 
cutting east winds in Spring. The best time for outdoor 
planting is in October or November, and the bulbs should be 
planted at a depth of four or five inches and about six inches 
apart. No after culture is necessary, beyond a slight stirring 
and regulating of the surface of the beds with the point of a 
trowel or anything similar, when the plants are fairly above 
the ground. When blooming is over and the leaves show signs 
of decay, they may, if necessary, be carefully taken up and 
stored, to make room for tho Summer bedding plants. When 
grown in pots they should be potted firmly three to five or 
seven bulbs in a pot, according to size and the soil used, and 
their after treatment may be precisely like that adopted for 
Hyacinths. For forcing purposes the Van Thols are the earliest, 
and by early potting and gentle forcing these may be had w r ell 
in bloom at Christmas. The Pottebakkers, from their earlincss 
and dwarfness of habit also rank high for this purpose ; but all 
the early single-llowered varieties are almost equally suitable, as 
are also many of the earlier double-flowered section, notably tho 
Tournesols, Blanche llative, Imperator Rubroruiu, and Due 
van Thol. Planted closely in shallow trays or boxes of light 
rich soil or well-decayed manure and leaf-mould, and placed in 
a gentle heat, early Tulips are exceedingly useful to transfer, 
when coming into bloom, to jardinettes, hanging-baskets, &e., 
filled with cocoarnut refuse or soil. Generally speaking the 
single-flowered varieties are by far the most brilliant and showy 
for outdoor planting, although perhaps individually not so 
massive and rich in appearance or so durable as the double- 
flowered sorts. The fine old species “ Gesueriana,” with its 
dazzling crimson flowers, is the best of all the late varieties : 
it is somewhat tall, but grown in large beds or masses is grandly 
effective; it also possesses the merit of being very cheap. 
Late, or Florists’ Tulips. 
This fine old class of Florists’ Flowers, good collections of 
which have become scarce of late years, was formerly held in 
high estimation amongst the English and Continental Florists, 
who at times paid enormous prices for particular varieties when 
adding to their collections. But although not now so much 
grown as formerly, late Tulips are well worthy of cultivation, 
and any one having space for a Tulip bed, would be amply repaid 
for their small trouble by a display of rare and peculiar beauty. 
October is the best month for planting, and to grow them to 
perfection tho bulbs should be planted four or five inches deep, 
in well-prepared beds of at least a foot deep of sandy loam, leaf- 
mould, and well-decayed cow-dung, with the addition of a little 
sharp sea-sand, giving a slight protection to the beds in severe 
weather in Winter by a covering of litter or other light 
material, and if intended for exhibition, the blooms should be 
protected from the weather by a covering of canvas or glass. 
Grown in this way these fine Tulips will often attain a height 
of from three to four feet, bearing noble flowers, the markings 
and featherings of which are in many instances exquisitely 
beautiful. Late Tulips will, however, bloom finely with a much 
more easy process of culture, and are admirably suited for 
planting in groups on mixed beds or borders, in front of shrubs, 
aud as they bloom later than other Tulips, they generally afford 
a fine display at a time when our flower beds are but poorly 
filled. 
Polyanthus Narcissus. 
This beautiful class of easily cultivated decorative plants, 
although perfectly hardy, is more especially suited for pot 
culture, aud should be potted and grown in the same way as 
recommended for Hyacinths. They are very free-flow r ering, 
and produce beautiful trusses of deliciously-scented flowers, 
varying from deep orange and primrose to the purest white; all 
the varieties will force well, and they are exceedingly valuable 
for supplying cut flowers in Winter and early Spring. The 
Double Roman and Paper White if potted early may be had in 
bloom before Christmas. With the exception of the two last 
named they succeed well if planted out of doors, but thrive best 
where partially shaded from strong sunshine. 
