J. WILKINSON ELLIOTT, PITTSBURGH, PA. 
3 
Flowers for the House from Christmas until Easter. 
It is possible to have an abundant supply of flowers 
in the house from Christmas until Easter, and with no 
greater facilities than are to be had in every dwelling 
house, and at comparatively small cost. Both Roman 
and Dutch Hyacinths can be bloomed in the Winter 
with certain and satisfactory results. Roman Hya¬ 
cinths can be had in bloom by Christmas or earlier, 
and are the most satisfactory Bulbs that can be grown 
for Winter flowers. They come into bloom quickly, 
and it is almost impossible to fail with them. The 
most delightful way to use them is to plant a quantity 
in a fern dish, jardiniere or other receptacle suitable 
for using for a centerpiece for the dining table. Fern 
dishes are made in a variety of styles, and cost from 
$ 2.00 or $3.00 up to $25.00 or $30.00 for heavy silver-plated 
ones such as are made by the Gorham Mfg. Co. The 
Bulbs are not planted directly in the fern dish, but 
into a zinc pan, which is made to fit inside of the fern 
dish. Extra zinc pans can be had, and when Roman 
Hyacinths are to be grown from six to twelve extra 
pans should be used. The Roman Hyacinth should be 
planted in the pans in the Fall, from .September 1st 
until the last of November, at intervals of two weeks. 
The soil used should be light and rich, one-third 
good soil, one-third sand, and one-third thoroughly 
rotted manure, and the bulbs planted thickly, so that 
they almost touch. As soon as planted they should be 
well watered and then set away in the coolest part of 
the cellar, and not near the furnace or any fire heat. 
If the cellar is a light one, the Bulbs should be covered 
with boxes, canvas, or anything that is convenient to 
keep them dark. If the soil gets dry, it can be watered, 
but not oftener than once in two weeks. Roman Hya¬ 
cinths may be brought into the light and heat about 
the first of December, and will be in bloom in about Fern Dish of White Roman Hyacinths, 
two weeks. After bringing into the living room they 
should be freely watered. By bringing a pan or more of bulbs from the cellar every ten days, a succession of flowers for the table can be had all 
Winter and Spring. A centerpiece of growing Roman or Dutch Hyacinths makes the most beautiful table decoration that can be obtained, does 
not cost one-fifth as much as cut flowers, and will last in perfect beauty for ten days or more, while cut flowers are often faded before a dinner is 
over. The pans for growing Roman Hyacinths can be from three to five inches deep, but pans for Dutch Hyacinths should not be less than four 
inches deep. Do not attempt to force cheap mixed Hyacinths; the results will not be satisfactory. 
Roman Hyacinths have small single 
white, pink or blue flowers. They bloom 
profusely, having from four to six spikes 
to each bulb, are very low-priced, and 
are the easiest bulbs to bloom in the 
house. The white variety is the earliest, 
most beautiful and satisfactory one to 
grow. By Dutch Hyacinths is meant the 
large flowered varieties, which every¬ 
body knows. The single varieties are 
the only ones to grow in the house, 
and are much more beautiful than the 
double sorts. Dutch Hyacinths should 
be treated in the same manner as 
Roman Hyacinths, except the bulbs 
should not be brought out of the cellar before the first of February. Single Early Tulips 
and Narcissi (Daffodils) can also be bloomed successfully in the house, if not attempted 
too early. 1 hey can be bloomed in March and a splendid display of them can be readily 
had for Easter. 'I hey should not be brought from the cellar until the first of March. 
The following varieties of Narcissi are the most satisfactory for blooming in the 
house: Bicolor Empress, Emperor, Ineomparabilis Alba Stella, Von Sion, Poeticus 
Ornatus, Barri Conspicuus, Golden Spur, Princeps, Paper White, and all varieties of 
Polyanthus Narcissi. Almost every house contains flower pots, jardinieres, etc., that 
might be utilized for growing bulbs. Zinc pans or bowls to fit inside of them can be 
made by any tinner, and the choicest ware thus used without injury. 
Zinc Pan for Fern Dish. 
Collections of Bulbs Suitable for the House. 
Roman Hyacinths in Pots. 
Prices of Dutch and Roman Hyacinths will be found elsewhere in this list, but I 
will be pleased to make up collections suitable for the house at $2.50, $5.00, $10.00, $15,00, 
$20.00 and $25.00 each. These collections can be relied upon to be entirely satisfactory both as to quality and price. 
