CHAP. VIII.] 
HYACINTHS. 
287 
pure peat is laid over the whole, to form a 
relief to the flowers. Dry weather should 
always be chosen for the planting ; and 
when planted, the bulbs should be entirely 
covered with the sand, and should be about 
six inches below T the surface of the bed, 
which should be raised at least three inches 
higher than the surrounding garden, to allow 
for its sinking. The layer of pure peat on 
the surface is only to afford a dark back¬ 
ground to the flowers when they expand, 
and may be omitted if thought unnecessary 
for this purpose. The bulbs are planted the 
last w r eek in October, or the first or second 
week in November, and they are placed 
about four inches apart every way. After 
they are planted, a mixture of cow-dung and 
water is generally thrown with a scoop over 
the bed, so as to form a thin coating over 
the soil, but not to penetrate into it. When 
the weather becomes frosty, a covering of 
dry litter, reeds, or tan is put over the beds; 
or hoops may be fixed over them on which 
bast mats are stretched. In March the 
covering is removed and the beds are cleared 
of weeds, and covered with a fresh coating 
