The use of the hyacinth glass has been popular since Victorian times. The glass is short and somewhat hourglass shaped. The upper cup of the glass keeps the bulb dry and free from rot and allows the roots to grow into the water in the lower compartment. Since this is an easy and very illustrative way to force the bulbs, it is an exciting and very educational project for children. Then bring he vase out to a bright window where the bulb will flower.
Shallow pans filled with pebbles are a common base for forcing paperwhite narcissus.
The bulbs must be secured in the pebbles to prevent tipping of the bulbs and flowers when they bloom. Care must be taken to maintain the water level to the base of the bulbs, but not too much so that the bulbs will rot. Keep these bulbs in a cool, dark room for several weeks to provide for root growth and then move them to a bright location. Each of the bulbs will send up shoots with many tiny flowers. Bulbs that have been forced in water should be discarded after flowering as these bulbs have also used all available reserves for blooming.