Hyacinth. Five species and as many varieties. Hardy bulbs. Offsets. Sandy loam. The species most commonly known is H. orien-talis, the varieties of which are so conspicuous in our borders and water vases.

Characteristics Of Excellence

"A well grown hyacinth should be of a compact pyramidal form, with a strong, tall, and upright stem, supporting numerous large bells, each attached by a 6trong foot-stalk in a horizontal position to the stem.

"The bells should be perfectly double, composed of broad, thick, waxy petals, with the centre of the flower raised, rendering the form convex.

"The bells should occupy about one half the length of the stem, with the uppermost bell erect.

"The flowers, whether whole-coloured orstriped, should be clear and bright; those having a contrast of colour in the centre are most esteemed." - Gard. Chron.

Offsets

"The hyacinth is increased by offsets; but to multiply the number of offsets, cuts are made in the under part of the bulb, which, by proper management and a little care, will be found filled with offsets next year." - Gard. Chron.

Soil

Mr. Mooy, of Haarlem, from whose communication to the Gardener's Chronicle this treatise on the culture of the hyacinth is principally taken, says - "They require a fresh, well drained sandy soil, free from lumps or stones, and not mixed with any vegetable matter."- Gard. Chron.

Mr. Horne, an equally good authority, adds, that "the hyacinth must never be planted again in the same soil; but the ground should be allowed to rest for at least two or three years, or should be cultivated with greens during that time; it should also be well mixed again, before planting, with some old cow-dung, especially if the soil is light or sandy, as hyacinths are very fond of that manure." - Gard. Chron.

Moisture

This being the most destructive agent against which the amateur has to guard, great care should be taken to protect hyacinths from it, by selecting the most elevated spot in his garden. If this is surrounded by a shallow trench, a little distance oft, it will be useful, and the bed should also be raised seven or eight inches above the ground level.

Planting And Culture

"The roots are planted in October, the soil being prepared by having pure cow-dung mixed with it one year previously to the time of planting. We use a bar-rowful of dung per ten yards square. The ground being measured into beds, the soil is taken out of the first to the depth of five inches, and the bulbs are planted firmly on it, so that the under part is well surrounded with the mould, after which they are covered over with the earth taken out of the next bed to the same depth, which is then ready to be planted, and this is pursued until the whole of the beds are completed.

"As soon as severe weather commences, all the beds are covered over about eight inches deep with reeds, so as to prevent the frost penetrating them. As soon as the frost is gone, the reeds are taken off, and the beds are coated with a mixture of cow-dung and water, to prevent the light sandy soil being blown away by the wind.

"The flowers having opened, and being in perfection, are all cut off, to give greater strength to the bulbs.