Plate 98. 
HYACINTH DUC HE MALAKOEF. 
Hyacinthus orientalise var. 
The liberal prizes offered by the Eoyal Horticultural and 
Poyal Botanic Societies for Spring flowers had the effect this 
year of bringing together a larger number of Hyacinths of 
first-rate character than the dower-loving public have ever had 
an opportunity of seeing before; while the large collections 
contributed by Mr. Cutbush, of Highgate, and Mr. W. Paul, of 
Cheshunt, contained all the new varieties which the skill of 
the Hutch florists (stimulated by the desire for novelty evi¬ 
denced in the country) has lately brought into notice. Amongst 
these, there was no flower that received a larger share of praise 
than the one now figured, Due de MalaJcoff. 
One thing must have not a little surprised visitors, that the 
single varieties were exhibited in so much larger proportion 
than the double ones, and that they formed also by far the 
finer spikes of bloom; indeed, for exhibition purposes, they 
are the only ones on which dependence can be placed, and we 
think that private growers, who merely desire to ornament 
their conservatory or sitting-rooms, would find that they are 
much more reliable. 
The culture of the Hyacinth for ordinary purposes is of the 
most simple character. When grown in pots, the soil used 
should be very rich, light, containing a large proportion of 
well-rotted manure; and when first planted, the pots should 
be plunged in sand, covering them about three inches; root- 
growth will be thus encouraged. When the shoot is about two 
inches long they should be taken out, and gradually exposed 
to the light, receiving a large quantity of water, and indeed, if 
great size is desired, supplied also with liquid manure. When 
grown for exhibition, a more liberal treatment still will be 
necessary. 
