JANUARY. 
to come up again into the “land of promise” of the approaching spring, that 
hastens on to meet them in its appointed time. Some pioneers of these on¬ 
coming forces thus already find a lodgment beneath my roof. With them is 
the single Italian Narcissus (about which I have always an approving word to 
say when they come to me), slowly and silently, but yet unobserved, arraying 
itself in pure white raiment, to be the Columbine of my domestic floral 
pantomime—too late for the Christmas revels, but near enough advanced in 
robing to be able to share in my new-year festivities; and its double Roman 
kinsman will be the attendant Harlequin. 
The finer forms of Polyanthus Narcissus, some of which are earlier than the 
others, and with them three or four Hyacinths, are pushing on with amazing 
rapidity, despite my best endeavours to keep them back. They will groiv (the 
Polyanthus Narcissus), after they have passed the first week in December. It 
seems to me that Hyacinths will be early this season generally, judging from 
what I have seen; still much will depend on the weather that will follow on 
the track of Christmas. There should be careful attention given that there be 
no violent alternations of temperature—I speak now of Hyacinths in glasses— 
such extreme variations often do them great injury. I give mine the coldest 
part of the room on all occasions, and I never move them from the window 
except in cases of severe frost, when they might receive injury if allowed to 
remain there. I have known some persons place their glasses on the mantel¬ 
piece, over the fire, and I have lifted the bulbs, observing that the growing 
spikes looked somewhat unhealthy, and have found a good portion of the 
water has passed away by evaporation, and what remains emitting a very dis¬ 
agreeable odour. I cannot coincide with those who recommend rain water as 
the best in which to grow Hyacinths. When used, filled as it generally is 
with impurities, it invariably turns very disagreeable, and the result is a failure 
of the bloom. Let those who thus fail (and I fear it is a too-frequent occur¬ 
rence), obtain the purest water at their command; let them place in their 
glass two or three small lumps of charcoal, and it is highly probable that the 
water will not require changing more than once, if at all. Another important 
point is to keep the glasses filled up as fast as the water becomes reduced by 
evaporation. As a rule, as soon as the shoots of my Hyacinths are from 
1 to 2 inches in length, I allow the water to reach half way up the bulbs, in 
order that the bulb, as well as the roots, should have the benefit of the moisture. 
I have seen Hyacinths with the surface of the water nearly 2 inches below the 
base of the bulb, and the roots partly shrivelled in consequence. 
Patient, persevering attention is the great requisite. Where there is no 
love for the flowers, disappointment is a frequent result. Where love and 
labour link hand in hand, and so go forth to the accomplishment of their task, 
the coveted result is already half realised, and failure rendered half impossible. 
He who puts most of his heart into the accomplishment of his set purpose, 
shall be most blessed with the largest accomplishment of what was sought to 
be reached. Orm 
GRAPE-GROWING AT MINLEY MANOR, NEAR 
EARNBOROUGH. 
Is bottom heat a necessity to outside borders, or any assistance in growing 
good Grapes in low situations ? The only person who has used bottom heat 
largely and proved at the exhibitions by his fruit that it did no harm for a 
time , if it did no good, is Mr. Meredith. But at the same time equally good 
fruit have been exhibited by others without this. One of the most successful 
