Firsts Then, Dutch Hyacinths 
Plant Them Now for Blooming- indoors During- The Winter, And Set Outdoors 
This Fall For Very Early Spring Flowering 
When selecting; Bulbs for Bedding It Is desirable to choose those that bloom together. For your con¬ 
venience wo have marked all Bulbs immediately after the name, No.l, 2, 3'.or 4 , all the No Ones flower 
first and together, the Two's next and Four’s last. 
H YACINTHS ARE the earliest available Bulbs for blooming outdoors in Spring, excepting 
Crocuses, and they are the most delightfully fragrant. They are absolutely hardy, and it 
is very rarely anything happens to prevent their flowering, because Nature has stored up 
within each Bulb the foliage and complete flower ready to spring forth in all its gorgeous beauty 
with just a very little assistance from the soil and cultivation, merely the planting of the Bulb 
this Fall, without weeding, hoeing or watering. 
In the house Hyacinths need a little more attention than they do outdoors, but they amply p 
reward the additional care given them with magnificent spikes of bloom from Christmas until 
Easter. 
CULTUKAl. DIRECTIONS:—Of course the first, essential is to purchase your Bulbs from a well known and reliable 
Importer, a firm from which you will receive vigorous, solid, heallhy Bulbs that have been fully matured in Holland 
and have"not been weakened by heating on shipboard crossing the ocean. This is the only class of Bulbs handled at 
Lapark, and in years we have had no complaint from our customers that the Hyacinths sent them did not bloom. 
The next thing is the preparation of the bed, or border. Understand, Hyacinths grow and Dloom successfully In 
any soil, in any location and under all conditions. Because, as we have already explained, the foliage and flower are 
already within the Bulb, developed there in Holland and where the Bulbs are planted this Fall here in America has 
comparatively little to do with the perfection of the flower. Therefore, stick the Bulbs in anywhere outside and you 
will have great, rich, beautiful flowers. But, you know it is a fact oven with human beings that the more favorable 
the conditions the more gratifying the results. So if it is possible and convenient for you just set the Bulbs In a deeply 
spaded bed of light, sandy mold, well enriched with thoroughly rotted cow manure, or sheep manure, in a spot that 
naturally drains well, and even though the Bulbs could talk to you they would not ask a better place, nor a more agree¬ 
able bed in which to spend the Winter aud delight you with their harvest of flowers in the very early Spring. If the 
right sort of manure is not avaible, bone meal, which is sold at all grain and feed stores, is the best substitute, but mix 
it thoroughly with the soil before setting the Bulb. 
While it is true that all Bulbs enjoy moisture, it Is not wise to plant them where they will lie in the wet; too much 
dampness may rot them. Nor is it wise to put them where it is too shady, because the sunshine should reach Bulbs 
for at least part of the day. Do not use fresh stable manure under any circumstances, in any Bulb bed, it is not good 
for them. And remember that all Bulbs delight in sand, so do not be timid about mixing plenty of sharp sand with 
your soil. Really the only soil that are difficult for Bulbs is a heavy clay that bakes and hardens. 
Hyacinths may be planted outdoors from any time after the first of October until December—they just need sufficient 
time before the ground is frozen solid down where they are, to become well rooted. Frequently they are planted suc¬ 
cessfully up to Christmas, and even later, but they should never be planted too ear ly or they are apt to make top growth 
which might be broken off* IT you cannot get around to planting your Bulbs before heavy frost, just throw a little 
litter over the bed to prevent it becoming solidly frozen before you can do your planting. 
Set Hyacinths twice as deep as the Bulbs measur e through, or, usually from three to four inches below the surface, 
and from four to ten inches apart each way. Firm the soil thoroughly, and in parts of the country where the climate 
is quite severe, after the ground is frozen up cover the Bulbs with a little dried grass, litter, or strawy manure No 
covering should be added before the beginning of real Winter, and it should be removed early in the.Spring after heavy 
frosts have passed. In moist seasons the Bulbs are apt to rot if left in the ground after they bloom, especially If in a 
shady place. In a sunny, gravelly, well drained soil It is not always necessary, but even when so favored many people 
believe it safer to lift the Bulbs after the foliage begins to turn yellow and die down. After they are dug let the Bulbs 
dry off in a shady, airy place, and then keep them in a dry, cool cellar. In paper bags if convenient, hung up until next 
planting season. If you want the ground quickly for other purposes, after the Bulbs have bloomed dig them up aud 
heal them in somewhere until the tops die off. 
By the way, never pull the Hyacinth flowers, but always cut them close to the ground witli a sharp knife, if pulled 
the stem generally breaks off at the Bulb, where It is most tender, permitting the moisture to get down into the heart of 
the Bulb so that it rots. 
There is nothing like Hyacinths In the early Spring, either in color or in fragrance, and they are being planter! In 
America in greatly increased numbers every year. 
GROWING HYACINTHS IN THE HOUSE 
They may be grown in either pans of soil or bowls of water. Use only the Exhibition and larger size Bulbs for house 
blooming, By pans we mean shallow flower pots, filled with porous, loose soil, like rotted sods, or dishes of sand or 
glasses of water. If in pots the soil should just cover the Bulb, with the stalk peeping out, one Exhibition size Bulb, or 
from three to four of the smaller ones, to a pan. Water freely and place away in a rather dark, cool closet or cellar, 
letting the Bulb remain there until well rooted. Then bring it gradually to the light but not in too hot a room until the 
flower spike has developed, say CO degrees at first, and after which they may be placed in the dining or living room or 
anywhere desired. In water, keep the Bulb upright by means of gravel, or pretty stones, and allow the water merely to 
touch the bottom ol the Bulb. It is very important that you keep the Bulb always in touch with the water and do not 
allow It to dry out. A piece or two of charcoal should always be kept in the water to keep it clear and sweet. Give your 
Bulbs always plenty of fresh air. 
If your Hyacinths become affected by lice fumigate or dust with tobacco. 
Should you be the fortunate owner of a cold frame, instead of putting the pots of newly planted Bulbs In the cellar. 
plunge them in the cold frame, covered four to five inches deep with coal ashes, ami then you can bring them in from 
time to time and enjoy a succession of bloom from Christmas until Easter. 
