140 
TIIE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
Answers to Correspondents. 
[Note.— We lmvc so many enquiries as to the treatment of Hya¬ 
cinths and other Dutch bulbs, we have concluded to answer them 
all under one head, which will give each correspondent much more 
information than we could by replying to each separately.] 
Bulbs for Fall Planting. 
A common remark from nearly every one interested 
in floriculture, in Springtime, is, “I intended having a 
bed of Spring-flowering bulbs, but did not think of it in 
time.” The same is said about everything else in the 
garden; when someone has a beautiful flower, someone 
else, in fact every one who sees it, is going to have the 
same next year. Next year comes, always on time, and 
finds those who were to have hyacinths and other flower¬ 
ing bulbs this Spring just as they were last, one day too 
late. To all such let us say, that if you want flowers 
next Spring, commence now, and with a determination 
that knows no defeat. 
If you want good flowers, buy your bulbs and plant 
them this month ; if you want poor flowers, await until 
next month; and if you want to spend your money and 
get no returns, wait two months longer and you will get 
just what you set out for. 
For small gardens, whether in the city or country, 
there is no class of plants that succeed so well or yield 
so large a return for the labor and money expended as 
do bulbs, neither is there a class that produces so many 
or such exquisite flowers. Very nearly all of them are 
perfectly hardy and can remain several years without 
being disturbed, providing always, that the work has 
been properly done at the start. First among the 
Spring bulbs suited to any place, are 
Crocuses and Snowdrops. 
These are cheap and universal favorites that will 
grow in almost any kind of soil, and are not particular 
as to situation. For good effect, when only a small 
quantity is to be planted, it is best to plant them 
in separate colors, a clump each of blue, yellow, white 
and variegated. They are sometimes used in lines; but 
unless the lines are broad and rich, and very skillfully 
managed in relation to other details of planting, they 
look poor and weak. Although they will grow well in 
ordinary garden soil, they will amply repay good cul¬ 
ture. Make the soil deep and rich, plant the bulbs at 
least three inches deep, and no further trouble will be 
required at their hands for the next five years. A very 
pleasing effect is produced by planting crocuses in small 
clumps, or singly on the lawn. With a small trowel, 
make a hole deep enough for the bulb, without disturb¬ 
ing the grass roots; planted in this manner, we have 
known them to do well for ten or more years ; they are 
always in flower before the grass is sufficiently long to 
hide their flowers; cutting the grass in no way injures 
the crocus. Snowdrops are best planted in some warm, 
partially-shaded border, where they can have complete 
possession, and in a few years they will entirely cover 
the earth with their flowers, the first in Spring. 
The Hyacinth 
is the choicest of the whole tribe of welcome Spring 
flowers; its exquisite beauty and delicate perfume make 
it the very emblem of cheerfulness and promise. Hya¬ 
cinths are of the four principal colors, red, white, blue 
and yellow, and of all the various shades that the 
mixtures of those colors will produce. The yellows are 
not in great variety; in fact there are but few that 
produce really fine spikes of bloom. Hyacinths should 
be planted six inches deep in soil made very rich by wall 
rotted manure from the cow-stable; if planted in poor 
soil, they will flower well the first year, but over after 
they will be worthless, as the bulb is exhausted, and in 
a poor soil it will not recuperate. 
The general impression is, that the bulbs in this 
country deteriorate. This opinion is strengthened by the 
experience of nearly every grower; nevertheless, it is 
an error, as, with the same treatment, the bulbs can be 
preserved and increased in the same manner and as 
successfully as in Holland. The way to preserve their 
character is to feed them liberally. In Holland the 
ground is well trenched to a depth of two feet; at the 
bottom there is a stratum of well-rotted manure six 
inches deep; then IS inches of soil, composed of leaf- 
mould, manure and sand iu equal parts; in this soil the 
Hyacinths are grown. It is a question, whether in this 
country it will pay as well to take so much trouble, and 
go to such an enormous expense, when by buying good 
bulbs every two or tlu-ee years, as good flowers can be 
obtamed, and at much less expense. To glow Hyacinths 
well and profitably, 
The Selection 
of bulbs is an important consideration, and for effect, 
we do not, as dealers do, advise the buying of the highest 
priced bulbs, which are selected named varieties; ’tis 
true from such you will get some spikes of larger size, 
and for exhibition piuposes, where fame and premiums 
are sought, the largest bulbs are preferable; but for the 
garden, or for pot-culture, mixed varieties are equally 
good. Select the colors wanted, and take the chances of 
success. It is not generally known, but with the Dutch 
growers, mixed bulbs are never heard of: every variety 
is grown separately, the dealer's buy up the stocks at auc¬ 
tion, select the largest and heaviest bulbs for special or¬ 
ders and for much higher prices; the balance being put to¬ 
gether, under separate colors, are sold as mixtures, and 
will, in the garden, produce flowers nearly as good as 
those that cost double the money. On some accounts, they 
do better: the very largest bulbs, which are sold under- 
name, are quite apt to break up or divide after flowering 
once, after whicb they produce but spikes with but five 
or six florets each: the second-sized bulbs will generally 
last two years, sometimes three, without dividing; it 
is better, however, to buy cheajr bulbs annually, and 
throw them away after flowering, than to go to the ex¬ 
pense of buying higher-priced bulbs, that with the 
greatest care will last no longer. 
, Pot Culture 
of Hyacinths is an interesting branch of floriculture, 
and a very simple one. Pot the bulbs as early as possi¬ 
ble hi five pots in rich light earth, leaving the top 
of the bulb half an inch below the rim of the pot; give 
them a thorough watering; then plunge the pot in a cold 
frame, or under the shade of a wall or fence, cover with 
newly-fallen leaves to the depth of a foot, or with any 
other material that will keep them moist and cool; here 
they should be left until after the first of December, 
when they can be brought into the house and re-potted, 
using a pot about two sizes larger than the one in which 
they were started. They will by this time have made 
considerable growth, and can be brought forward as 
fast as desired. For perfection of bloom, they should 
be grown slowly, and kept moderately moist. 
