ON THE CULTURE OF DUTCH BULBS. 
107 
into offsets, and seldom, if ever, flower in perfection : such bulbs 
as are from four to five years old, either from seed or offsets, are 
considered to bloom stronger in this country, than- those of 
greater age. In Holland, where the climate, soil, and general 
management is more favourable than in England, the same 
individual bulb has been known to flower for twelve or more 
successive years, and indeed they have never been observed to 
die of age; and I have no doubt that as much might be accom¬ 
plished in England, with skilful cultivation. 
From about the middle of October to the beginning of No¬ 
vember, is the best time for planting the hyacinth: a dry and 
airy plot of ground should be selected, declining toward the 
south, and sheltered from the north and easterly winds. A 
fortnight or three weeks previous to planting, the earth in the 
bed should be taken out to the depth of two feet; the bottom 
ought also to be dug over, and the earth rendered as loose and 
pervious to moisture as possible, for the purpose of giving a 
good drainage. Should the soil be retentive of moisture, it 
would be advisable to remove the earth to a greater depth, and 
to replace it with a stratum of brick rubbish, or coarse gravel, 
nothing being more injurious to the hyacinth than a superabun¬ 
dance of moisture. 
The space left by the removal of the earth must be filled in 
with a light rich compost, eight inches or one foot above the 
ground-level; and when this is well settled, the surface must 
be made quite smooth and even ; over this strew some river or 
drift sand, to the thickness of one inch; and on this mark the 
position each bulb is to occupy, by means of a rod or line, 
about eight inches asunder; then take the bulbs, one by one, 
and press them lightly into the compost, and surround each by 
a small portion of sand, to prevent the soil coming in contact 
with them: after this is accurately finished, cover in over the 
bulbs, to the depth of five or six inches, with prepared compost, 
leaving the bed from eight to ten inches above the grounddevel, 
when completed. 
Hyacinth beds should be covered during severe weather, 
with rotten fern, decayed leaves, or tanner’s bark, putting it on 
when necessary, and removing it when the weather will permit. 
Too careful covering is injurious, as it is apt to deprive the 
roots of the influence of the sun and air. 
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