62 
THE HOME GARDEN. 
four inches for tulips, etc., one and a half for crocuses; 
drawing up the tube, you will find it filled with earth as 
high as it was pressed deep into the ground, the tapering 
shape preventing the earth in the upper and larger end 
from falling out at the smaller. Now set the bulb down at 
the bottom of the hole, its pointed end up. If it is a 
hyacinth, shake a little sand over it; then invert the tin 
tube over it, and the earth removed to make the hole will 
be replaced. This will be found to be the most neat and 
rapid way of planting bulbs. Any tinman will make such 
a tube for ten cents. ” 
It is a good plan to sow pansy seed between the bulbs, as 
they come early into bloom—just after the crocuses—and 
keep the bed looking bright all summer long. Verbenas, 
petunias, and portulacca are also useful in this way. 
To grow hyacinths in pots for the house, the same kind 
of soil is required, and as small a pot as will well accom¬ 
modate them. A piece of broken pot should be placed 
over the hole at the bottom, to prevent the worms from get¬ 
ting in and the roots from growing out; then fill with soil, 
leaving the apex of the ball just above the surface, and 
press the soil firm. After potting, give a good watering, 
and place them in some out-of-the-way corner of the garden 
where they can have the requisite amount of protection 
from frost till they are well rotted, when they may be re¬ 
moved to the greenhouse, forcing house, or drawing-room, 
as may be required, keeping near the light and giving abun¬ 
dance of water. 
For glasses the single varieties do better, and should be 
selected for weight rather than size. Half an inch of finely 
broken charcoal should first be placed at the bottom of the 
glass, as this will keep the water pure and prevent the 
necessity of frequent changing, care being taken to renew 
it when it sinks below the level. The lower end of the 
bulb should only just touch the water, as immersion will 
