WINDOW GARDENING 
139 
describe the various wa^'s we have grown them, and leave the reader to make his 
or iier choice, as fanc}' may dictate. 
First, a few words upon the selection of Bulbs are highl}' necessary. It may 
not be generally known that Hyacinths M'ill not bloom icell but once. In IIol 
land, wiiere they are only grown for market, they are not allowed to flower 
except in specimen beds, from the time the setts are planted until they are larg» 
enough to sell, which is usually when they are four years old. The llower-stall 
is cut away as soon as it can be without damage to the foliage. This throws thi 
whole strength of the plant into the bulb, wliich is kept growing until there ii 
danger of its breaking, which the 
practiced eye of the grower readi- 
ly sees. Then it is sent to mar- 
ket, and the next season will give 
the finest possible bloom, after 
which the old bulb will " break" 
and several small ones form, noen 
of which will ever do well enougii 
to pay for growing the second sea- 
son. We do not wish to mislead ; 
this instruction is only for those 
who wish none but first ra<e flow- 
ers. Bulbs planted in the open 
border, after having bloomed in 
pots, will continue to bloom a 
number of years, but will give 
small, puny spikes, with but a few 
bells on each. 
To flower bulbs successfully 
they should be procured as soon 
as possible after their arrival from 
Holland, which is generally about 
the first of September, and imme- 
diately potted in a soil composed 
of equal parts of good loam, leaf 
mould and well rotted cow man- 
ure, which should be well mixed. Fig. 25.— Prlucess Alexandra Jardlnet. 
after which add about one-fiflh of good clean sand. No soil can be better than this for 
noble growth and bloom. The pots should be made on purpose ; not larger than five 
inches across, nor less than eight inches deep ; fill the pot nearly full of the com- 
post, and press the bulb firmly in, so that the top of the bulb is about level with 
the top of the pot. After filling, they should be plunged in a frame or open 
border, and covered four inches with soil or some compost, where they should 
remain until the first of December. This operation is highly necessary to 
encourage the root growth, which must be made before the leaves shoot forth, for 
