Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 90.djvu/109

 A Winter Experiment with Bulbs

Growing two decidedly different hyacinths on one stem

���The bulbs are cut in half, only the half containing the central shoot being required

��The two halves of the bulbs used must be fitted accurately to- gether and tied securely

��The resultant cluster will have all the characteristics of the two different bulbs including colors and single or double flowers

��TO raise two hyacinth bulbs together so that they appear to be one plant, well devel- oped bulbs should be selected, and, in a general sense, the more distinctive these are the better. The colors of the blossoms should be as widely different as possible. It is well to make sure that the bulbs will bloom at about the same time. The best results arc 'secured when the bulbs are started during he month of January.

Cut each with a sharp knife, right down from the crown to the base, so that the side of the central shoot containing the leaves is exposed. Great care must be

����The cut edges should be sep- arated by moss, as shown at the left. The soil should be kept moist but not too damp

��exercised in order that no in- jury' be done to the shoot. The smaller halves of the bulbs are useless and may be thrown away. Put the two larger por- tions together so that the open ends fit easily face to face. With some twine or raffia tie the portions firmly to each other so that a single big bulb is formed. Put a little moss in between the cut edges in the manner shown. The made-up bulb may be potted, care being taken to ram the soil around it more tightly fhan usual. Moreover, a good third of the bulb should be allowed to stand up above the surface of the mold.

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