Illustrated Catalogue of Dutch Flower Roots 
4 
CULTIVATION OF HYACINTHS. 
The Hyacinth is as conspicuous amongst early Spring flowers 
as is the Rose amongst our Summer favourites. It is pre- 
eminently “ The Flower of Spring,” and richly does it morit 
this high distinction, for few classes of plants, if any, embrace 
at once so wide a range of beautiful and distinctive variety of 
colouring with such delicious fragrance as is common to them 
all. No plant can be grown to so high a state of perfection with 
so little trouble, or will adapt itself so readily to almost any 
system of what may be termed artificial culture; grown in-doors 
in pots, pans, boxes, and glasses, jardinettes, baskets, in soil, 
cocoa-nut refuse, or damp moss, or out of doors on the open 
border, it appears equally at home, and will bloom “free and 
fragrant,” as if grateful for the small amount of attention it 
receives. The Hyacinth forces well, and by judicious treatment 
may be had in bloom by Christmas, but “forced” spikes of bloom 
are not generally so fine as those which develop more slowly in 
the cool house, pit, or frame. Pot culture is by far the most 
important and successful of the many ways adopted in growing 
Hyacinths, and cultivated in this tvay no plant will produce 
more splendid effects in the greenhouse or conservatory in the 
Spring months, or is so indispensable as a window plant. Single, 
or double, they are all exceedingly beautiful, but if there is any 
excuse for distinction, the single-flowered varieties must bear 
away the palm for elegance and brilliancy, and perhaps for 
fragrance, although the individual bells are not always so large. 
In selecting Hyacinth bulbs, it should be borne in mind | 
that the largest and finest-formed are not always those which 
produce the finest spikes of bloom ; for, although some are 
possessed of both tlieso qualities, many of the finest varieties 
have rough, and in some instances, small and ill-shapen bulbs ; 
all must, however, be well-ripened, firm, and solid, to produce 
really good flowers. 
Cultivation in Pots. — Although the Hyacinth will 
ordinarily thrive in an}' good, light, rich soil, a long experience has 
taught us that the best possible mixture for growing Hyacinths 
in pots consists of about one-third each of good fibrous loam and 
well-decayed cow-dung, and the remainder of about equal parts 
of coarse gritty sand and leaf-mould. Thoroughly mix these at 
least a month before potting, keeping the mixture in a cool shed, 
or where it is not exposed to the weather. Forty-eight sized 
pots (five-inch) are generally preferred, but we have seen magnifi- 
cent Hyacinths grown in much smaller, some indeed preferring 
three-and-a-half-inch pots for ordinary decorative purposes ; 
where fine selected bulbs, however, are grown for exhibition, 
thirty-two sized (six-inch) are not considered too large. In 
potting, the soil should be in a moderately moist condition, and 
great care should be taken to ensure perfect drainage. Prepare 
the pots by placing a large hollow crock at the bottom, and a . 
few smaller round it, and on these a little rough rich manure, 
or a few pieces of charcoal. Use the soil in its rough state as 
mixed, filling the pots quite full ; take each bulb firmly in hand 
and press it well down into the soil, and finish off by firmly 
pressing down the soil round the bulb and filling up level, 
leaving the crown of the bulb just visible. After potting select 
for them a cool, sheltered position out of doors, and place them 
on a layer of coal ashes, cocoa-nut fibre, tan, or any similar light 
material, covering the pots with the same to the depth of five or 
six inches, and placing over them a few boards or slates to keep I 
off excessive rains. In about four or five weeks they will be 
found on examination to be nicely rooted, and those required for 
earliest blooming may be removed to the cool pit or frame 
preparatory to forcing, or their removal to the greenhouso; or 
they may remain in the plunging material and be brought forward 
as required in succession for lator blooming'; all should, however, 
be removed before they push their way through, and be gradually 
introduced to light and air, keeping them in a cool shady position 
till the leaves have fairly acquired their proper greenness. It 
may be here remarked, that a slow and steady development is at 
all times preferable 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 bo 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 
the 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 bo 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 be 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 the 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 be 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 bo lifted to make way for the 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. By 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 plauted 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. 
From Mr. L. TOLMIE, Strousay, Orkney. 
Nov. 11th. 
"The Hyacinths I had from you last year flowered splendidly. One White variety was exceedingly good." 
From Mr. W. J. YOUNG, Rathfrilaud, Co. Down. 
Oct. 29th. 
"The Bulba sent formerly were very fine indeod, especially the Hyacinths and Ranunculus, which produced, 
some remarkably fine flowers." 
From Miss S. A. JONES, Beaumaris. 
Mar. 30th. ’ 
"The Hyacinths I had from you last year were the finest I ever had, and were much admired." 
