CULTURE OF THE HYACINTH. 
139 
them so as to form triangles. Lay in each marked spot a small 
quantity of sand for the bulbs to rest upon. 
8. This being done, select the bulbs and place them in the situa¬ 
tions appointed for them, carefully avoiding two of the same colour 
coming in contact with each other; then take a handful of sand and 
place it upon and around each bulb, so as to cover it. After which 
cover the whole bed with fresh light loam until the bulbs are covered 
two inches deep, smooth the surface, and the business is completed. 
9. To Preserve from Rains and Frost .—Some persons follow the 
practice of covering the beds with three or four inches of rotten dung, 
but this is always injurious more or less ; dry litter answers the end 
much better than either rotten dung or turf; but when the weather 
is windy, this is apt to be blown off, and make the garden look un¬ 
cleanly. The best way of all is to hoop the bed over, and cover it, 
when necessary, with mats; for moderate rains and slight frosts co¬ 
vering need not be resorted to, if about three inches thickness of old 
tan be laid over the bed on the approach of winter; that is, about the 
beginning of December. 
10. When the weather is fine, the bed must always be exposed to 
effects of the sun and air, or the roots will grow and flower weakly. 
11. From the beginning to the middle of April the flowers will 
begin to show their colours. If the sun is powerful, shading must 
he resorted to, or some of the finer coloured sorts will be faded; this 
may be done by means of mats and hoops; but a neater covering is 
that of an awning, which should extend over the walk round the bed 
also. The framework of this awning merely consists of four or more 
posts about seven feet six inches high, being placed firm in the 
ground, either two or more on each side the bed, according to its 
length; on these posts should be fixed a frame made of light mate¬ 
rials, in the form of the roof of a house. On the roof of this frame, 
and as far down the sides as is necessary, the sheet or canvass may 
be strained, and if rolled up or let down by means of cords and pul¬ 
leys it will still be more convenient. 
12. When the flower-stems have grown about four inches high, 
it will be necessary to tie them to neat thin sticks, or they are liable 
to be broken by the wind. 
13. Unless the season be excessively dry, watering is always un¬ 
necessary, for the dews and rains which fall upon the beds are usu¬ 
ally more than sufficient. And after the flowers fade, and the foliaere 
begins to die, moisture becomes injurious. 
14. As soon as the flowers begin to fade, the awning should he 
removed, or the bulbs will be greatly weakened: still the roots must 
