Page:The Amateur's Greenhouse and Conservatory.djvu/95

Rh in May, thus giving to each patch a whole year of growth and rest. They should be potted in pots proportioned to the size of the roots in a rich light loamy compost, and have the least possible amount of forcing. If they are kept in pots the whole year round, they should be put in a damp and shady part of a cold pit after they have flowered, and be kept well supplied with water until the leaves die down, when they should be shaken out and repotted. The pretty D. eximia and D. cucullaria are worth growing in pots to decorate the house in spring. They require only the simplest frame culture.

.&mdash;As we are desirous of cramming into this little book the largest possible quantity of valuable information, we will say nothing about the beauties of the Hyacinth, but proceed to offer brief but sufficient directions for its cultivation as a conservatory plant. In selecting varieties for pot culture it is advisable to have equal quantities of single and double flowers. But for growing in glasses the single varieties are to be preferred; while for bedding in the open ground the best are those of the most decisive colours, whether single or double, but the single, as a rule, are to be preferred. One of the most important points is to select hard, sound, well-ripened bulbs, for the fine spikes of bloom cannot be had from those that are soft and spongy, even if they are large in size. The growth must be prolonged over as long a season as possible, and consequently early potting must be practised. Pot the bulbs as early as possible after they arrive in the market, especially if they are wanted for very early flowering, and have to be forced. This will give them plenty of time to form roots and get well established. When this is accomplished before they are placed in the warmth, there will be little danger of any of them refusing to push up the spikes at the proper time. “Dumpiness” may be safely attributed to the bulbs not being properly furnished with roots, and it is a waste of time to put paper caps over them with the idea of drawing the spikes up. The fault lies with the roots, and if they are all right there will be little or no fear of a failure. Good turfy-loam and well-decayed manure, at the rate of three parts loam to two of manure, chopped up roughly and mixed with a sixth part of silver sand, forms a capital compost for hyacinths as well as other bulbs.

Use five-inch pots, and let them be well drained, by placing