HYACINTHS. 
35 
dry earth or fand, in the form of a ridge, 
or little cone, over each: in this ftate 
they remain about three weeks longer, 
and dry or ripen gradually ; during 
which, as much air is admitted as pof- 
fible, but the bed is preferved from 
heavy rains, and too hot a fun; at 
the expiration of this period, the bulbs 
are taken up, and their fibres, which 
are become nearly dry, gently rubbed 
off; they are then placed in a dry 
room for a few days, and are afterwards 
cleaned from any foil that adheres to 
them, their loofe fkins taken off, with 
fuch offsets as may be eafily feparated. 
When this dreffing is finifhed, the 
bulbs are wrapped up in feparate pieces 
of paper, or buried in dry fand, where 
they remain till the return of the feafon 
for planting. 
Another 
