In this run after large bulbs among Hyacinths many sorts with very inferior flowers were brought out in quantity but although these large bulbs did increase the general trade, and so far gratified the tradesmen abroad by a greater sale and more profit, still they did not satisfy the amateurs, and better large flowers were looked after. After large-sized bulbs with large spike of flowers became the demand, the single-flowering varieties have been found more capable of giving satisfaction than doubles, and when we compare the large spikes of the present day with the sorts we had sixty years ago, we can only be well satisfied at the great progress we have been able to make. Although the double-blooming varieties are at present so much neglected, mostly because of their small-sized bulbs, there are some few double sorts which have pretty well maintained their position in public estimation, but their number is small compared with the large number of single ones in cultivation, and their very great beauty shall certainly keep them very long to remain the great favorites with lovers of very fine large flower spikes.

Among the esteemed double sorts I may mention Lord Wellington and Grootvorst, rose; Prince of Waterloo, La Tour d' Auvergne, and Florence Nightingale, white; Louis Philippe and Garrick, dark blue; Blocksberg and Rembrandt, light blue. Of the double yellow flowers Goethe is about the best, but most in this color are rather of small spike. Of dark red among the double flowers there are only very few varieties, of which Louis Napoleon and Waterloo are about the best, but the latter sort is not so full as might be wished.

Among the single varieties we at present possess the greatest variety of colors, and among them we can show superb large and handsome flowers, such as are Garabaldi, Pellissier, Scarlet Light, brilliant scarlet; Fiancee Royale, Gertrude, Kohi-noor, Prima Donna, Von Schiller, red; Carlyle, Charles Dickens, Dr. Livingstone, Gigantea, Ma-cauley, rose; La Grandesse, Alba Superbissima, Crown Princess, Madame Vander Hoop, pure white; Grandeur a Merveille, Baroness Van Tuyll, Mammoth, Seraphine, blush white; General Havelock, Baron Von Humboldt, Masterpiece, Mimosa, William L, black blue; Baron Van Tuyll, Charles Dickens, King of the Blues, Bleu Mourant, dark blue; Blondin, Czar Peter, Grand Maitre, Leonidas, Grand Lilas, Lord Raglan, light blue; L'Honneur d'Overveen, Sir Henry Havelock, Charles Dickens, Haydn, violet; Ida, King of the Yellows, La Citroniere, Obelisk, Anna Carolina, pure yellow; Beauty of Waltham, Clio, Lamplighter, Lord Palmerston, Argus, flowers with striking eyes or centres.

All the varieties have been obtained from seed selected from thousands of seedlings and by artificial crossing and impregnations, which is an occupation of very long duration, as a little bulb grown from seed requires six or seven years before it is of sufficient size to produce a good flower; and when considering that this bulb if found worthy to be grown on requires twelve to fifteen or twenty years' careful artificial propagation before a moderate stock can be had, it may not create astonishment when many times new varieties have realized large sums of money. New varieties in almost every shade of color have been saved from year to year, showing improvements in size of spike, in size of bulb, size of bells, etc.; but it may be worth remarking that in all the different colors we have obtained improvement in size of bells, with the exception of the bright scarlet-colored sorts, which until now have always turned out with small, narrow bells. If we could obtain a Hyacinth flower of a bright scarlet color like Queen of the Hyacinths or Garibaldi, with bells as large as La Grandesse or Cloche Magnif-ique, what a splendid improvement it would be, and probably in the course of time we may obtain this treasure.

Between the time when double Hyacinths were most esteemed and the time when single varieties came into favor, a period of perhaps ten years, the always increasing demand was greater than the general stock could furnish, and consequently the prices of Hyacinths grew higher every year, and it was at that time to be a rather profitable culture. This induced a great number of farmers in the neighborhood of Haarlem to try growing Hyacinths, which many have done with more or less success. At that time land was worth only half the price that it is at present, and the most easy-growing Hyacinths were then artificially propagated to such a large extent that the stock overgrew the demand, and during the last three years forced the market price of such sorts down to such low prices that, during the last two years, thousands of Hyacinths have been exported at prices below the actual cost of production, bringing great losses to the growers of this beautiful flower, while it overstocked the markets in several foreign countries where these bulbs were most used, to which poor circumstances the general depression in trade has of course contributed.

Respecting the use made of Hyacinths, I may say that the greater portion of the bulbs are being forced, and for this purpose the bulbs should be potted about the middle or end of September in 5-inch pots in rich light soil, and placed in a cold frame or under a wall, where they can be covered with wooden shutters or some similar contrivance to keep off heavy rains. In either case they should be covered a foot thick with newly fallen leaves, and being once well watered after potting, they may be left for months to form their roots, when the most forward should be brought out (some repot into somewhat larger pots according to the apparent strength), and the bulbs should be placed in a gentle heat as near the glass and light as possible to prevent the flower stems rising to an unnatural height. Some care is necessary in the application of this, or the flowers will be abortive. It should not exceed 50º for the first three weeks, but afterwards may be increased gradually to 6o°; and if the pots are plunged in bottom heat the same care should be observed, or the points of the roots will certainly be killed.

One-third the depth of the pot is fully sufficient at first, and if the heat is brisk they should not be plunged more than a few inches at any time.

When the flower stems have risen to nearly their full height, and the lower bells of the spike are beginning to expand, the plants should be removed to a lower temperature usually afforded by the greenhouse, and when the bells are fairly expanded the plants can be taken to the sitting room or wherever their presence is desired, observing to protect them from sudden changes or cold draughts of air, and the water given to them should be moderately warm. , Instead of the usual practice of drying Hyacinths at once in the sun, I would rather recommend the method adopted in this country - namely, to place them side by side on a sunny piece of ground, and cover them with about an inch of loose earth to thoroughly ripen the bulbs by the subdued heat imparted to the earth which surrounds them. Left in this position for a fortnight they will become dry and firm, and an hour or two's sunshine will finish them properly for storing.

The propagation of Hyacinths can be artificially performed in two ways: (1) By the bulbs being cut crosswise and sprinkled with sand to absorb any superfluous moisture that may exude from the incisions. After a time they are planted in the earth in the usual way, when the mother bulb divides itself into small bulbs. (2) By scooping out the base of the large bulbs after they have been taken out in July. After this operation it requires great attention in watching carefully the process of properly drying the wounded bulbs, because not properly attending to this the whole bulb may become mouldy and be lost completely. The bulbs thus treated are planted in October, at which time the small offsets at the base of the bulb are partly visible already, and are then planted in the usual way, only with a slight covering of earth in a warm situation as much exposed to the heat of the sun as possible, where the small bulbs gradually develop in the warm sandy soil, with the proper degree of moisture, aided by the climate, which about Haarlem appears to be very suitable to the growth and development of this flower. (3) In this natural way by offsets from the parent bulb, which is, however, rather slow to meet the present large demand.

The Tulips used for forcing require about similar treatment as the Hyacinths. When placed in heat they should be placed as near to the glass as possible, in order to prevent the flowers drawing up too high, and the flower stems should occasionally be assisted when, by their quick growth, they get entangled in the foliage. During recent years Tulips have become great favorites for planting out in beds, for which thousands are annually employed, making by their very brilliant colors a very showy effect indeed. I could dwell for a considerable time upon the history of the Tulip and the very unusual speculation, or rather gambling, at some past period these have been made subject to; but if my present paper has given some little pleasure, it may induce me to try another on these and other sorts of flower roots at some future occasion.

I have no doubt that in several ways my present paper may be found wanting, but I may be allowed to remind you that as a foreigner I write in a language altogether strange to me. As an ardent admirer of horticulture in every branch, and stimulated by the earnest desire to do something to oblige the members of the Club, who may all be considered as lovers of horticulture and botany in every branch, I have ventured to write this short paper.

Growing Hyacinths

C. M. Hovey made a show of magnificent hyacinths, at the spring meeting of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. His method of culture is simple. He pots his bulbs in September or October, and buries the pots in a cold frame, so that the roots may get a good start. A month before the bulbs are wanted for flowers, the pots are taken to a cool greenhouse.