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are lifted in summer. The compost in which they grew is removed to the depth of about nine inches, and the sub-soil is digged over; a new layer of compost of equal depth is afterwards introduced; and in this the choice bulbs are again planted in the autumn. The compost in which the Hyacinths grew, descends the following year, first to the Tulips, and then to the Narcissus, &c., so as to give them all a regular change of soil, adding more cowdung or more sand to the compost, as the nature of the succeeding plants may require.

From the middle of October to the middle of November is the best time for placing Hyacinth bulbs in the ground, for when planted earlier they appear above the ground in the middle of winter, and if neglected later, the bulbs will be weakened by their natural tendency to vegetate. The bulbs may be placed from six to nine inches apart, and it is advisable to place a small quantity of sand beneath each bulb, to prevent the earth adhering too closely to them; they should also be placed on the beds in the manner recommended in planting the Narcissus, and not with a dibble of any kind.

It is the practice to plant Hyacinths alternately on the beds, according to their colours; but when they are planted in the flower-garden, or on the projecting borders of the shrubbery, they will be found to have a much better effect when clumps are formed of distinct colours.

The principal Hyacinth growers in Holland take up their bulbs about a month after bloom, or as soon as the plants begin to appear yellow and decayed. They then cut off the stem and the foliage close to the bulb, or within about half an inch of it, but leave the fibrous roots attached to the bulb; the bulbs are then placed on the same beds on their sides, with the points towards the north. They are then covered with dry earth or sand, about half an inch thick, in the form of a ridge or cone, and in this state they are left to dry or ripen gradually, for about three weeks. They are then taken up, and their fibres gently rubbed off, after which they are laid in a dry room for a few days, and then cleared from soil or loose decayed coats, &c., and their off-sets separated. The bulbs should then be placed in shallow drawers, where the air can circulate around them. Some persons place them with the base of the bulb upwards; but the most material thing is to keep them from damp, and place them where there is a free circulation, as on a lattice shelf, or in open wicker baskets, with little sticks across to separate each layer of bulbs, and these baskets may be suspended to the ceiling to keep them from vermin.

The Hyacinth is one of the plants that thrive best in a saline atmosphere, and is, therefore, calculated to embellish the gardens on the sea-coast; it

loves a sandy soil, and we recommend a mixture of sea sand in preference to any other, whenever it can be procured. When planted in pots, it should be observed to select those of the deepest make, which should be filled with a sandy loam or earth approaching as near to the compost recommended as possible. We know of no flower that will flourish in so great perfection in the saloons of London as the Hyacinth when placed in glasses; and for this purpose we should recommend those of green glass, as the common white glass throws an injurious light on the roots. Nature tells us that the parts of the plant which are destined for the earth cannot be kept too much in darkness; whereas the plant, whilst growing, cannot receive too much light and sun, and should therefore be placed on a table near the window, unless the frost is severe, when it may be placed over the chimney to prevent the water from being frozen; but the heat is liable to draw the plants up too weakly to flower well-therefore they should only be placed over the fire-place when the frost is so severe as to freeze in other parts of the room.

The beginning of November is early enough to place the bulbs in the glasses, which may be done from that time to the end of February, according to the season they are wished to flower in. The glasses should be filled with soft water, with a small

quantity of nitre in each, and we do not recommend the water to be changed oftener than once a month; but when the plants begin to grow, it should be observed to keep the glasses filled, so that the bottom of the bulb may touch the water, as a great exhaustion takes place at that time. The plants will be strengthened by having as much free air as the season of the year will admit of; but we should not forget that Hyacinthus prefers the beams of Phoebus to the breath of Zephyr: for if the latter is allowed to break or damage the foliage, the plant will be materially injured in its flowering; and when in full flower, it should not be placed where the sun throws his rays too powerfully, as this will considerably lessen the time of its duration.

It has been ascertained that the Hyacinth will grow and flower in the water without sending out fibrous roots. In the year 1787, M. le Marquis de Gouffier exhibited to the Royal Society of Agriculture, in Paris, a glass, with the bulb of a Hyacinth turned the base upwards: in this state it sent down a stem and leaves into the water, but the bulb did not send out roots upwards; the leaves were very green, but the petals of the flowers, which should have been blue, were of a discoloured white. This experiment proves how much the foliage of plants has the power to assist in their growth, since they can even subsist without the aid of the root.

TULIP. Tulipa.

Natural Order Coronaria. Liliacea, Juss. A Genus of the Hexandria Monogynia Class.

Then comes the Tulip race, where beauty plays
Her idle freaks; from family diffused
To family, as flies the father dust,
The varied colours run; and while they break
On the charm'd eye, th' exulting florist marks,
With secret pride, the wonders of his hand.

THOMSON.

THIS flower, so much admired in the eastern parts of the world on account of its splendour and variety, has, from time immemorial, been made the emblem by which a young Persian makes a declaration of love. Chardin tells us that when these young turbaned swains present a Tulip to their mistress, it is their intention to convey to her the idea that, like this flower, they have a countenance all on fire, and a heart reduced to a coal.

The Turks regard this flower with so much delight, that a Feast of Tulips is celebrated annually in the Grand Seignior's seraglio, the description of which, when related to us in all the flowery garb of their language, leaves even the delineation of the

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