The Hyacinth

Otago Witness, Issue 1796, 24 April 1886, Page 8

The Hyacinth

This is one of the handsomest of all bulbs in cultivation, and possesses an odour of its own which is peculiarly pleasant to most people. They are often grown in hyacinth-glasses, with the bottom of tin; bulb just touching the water, which should always be rainwater or " soft " water. It is almost needless to say that much finer flower and more satisfactory results will be obtained by planting the bulbs in soil. For pot-culture the best soil is made with one-half of friable turfy loam, and the rest o f equal parts of well-rotted cowdung, leaf-mould, and sand. These should be mixed in such a condition that the compo.it can be pressed into a ball without being adhesive — that is neither wet nor dry. Early planting is advisable, beginning about the middle of February and continuing to plint every week for about eight weeks to secure a continuance of blo.ssom . The flowers will appear in about 18 to 21 weeks after planting the bulbs. It gives the best eltect when three bulbs are put into each six-inch pot, the bulbs having twothirds above the surface of the so ; l. The soil should be pressed firmly around the bottom of i lie bulbs, but it must not bo consolidated, and when the plauling is d»>ne the pots should be put out into the shade-house or other suitable place, be plunged to the rim in sand or sawdust, and thoroughly watered. They should then be covered to a depth of four or six inches with rotten tan or leaves, until the pots become filled with roots, and the young leaves have shot forth for an inch or two above the loose protecting material. This should thea be removed, and the plants will become hardened by expo' are to the light. In the shadehouse, if they are not too much crowded, the plants will grow short sturdy dark-green leaves, and the spikes of flowers will be tall and the flowers large und well-formed. Most people prefer the double flowered hyacinth, but -.n- strength, vigour, and beauty the singles are best. — Adelaide Observer.