The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-09-19
Talks About Bulbs.

Holland, province of the Netherlands, is a
continuous fiat sandy country, so much 80 that
great deal of it lies even lower than the sea,
from which it is protected by immense dykes
from twenty-five to thirty feet high In this
sandy country are grown what are called Hol-
land bulbs, and this industry is an immense
source of revenue to the Hollanders, for in this
particular trade they monopolize the market of
the whole world.
the same, except that the depth of planting and
the distance apart will be governed by the size
of the bulb. Those intended to bloom out
doors may be put in the ground any time from
middle of September till the ground freezes.
The bed may be any kind of good garden soil,
but it should have liberal dressing of decom-
posed manure. Raise the beds in the center,
that the water may not stand upon them, there
by rotting the bulbs. Plant Hyacinths four
to six inches apart and three inches deep. The
smaller bulbs require to be set closer together,
and only about two inches in the ground. Be-
fore real cold weather comes on mulch the bed
with strawy manure, which may be removed in
early spring.
The Hyacinths for constaney,
Wi its unchanging blue.
-Bu,ns.
OF all the winter blooming Holland bulbs
the Hyacinth is deservedly the most popular,
on account of its beauty, fragrance, and the
thing capable of retaining moisture, and will
generally give as nice flowers when grown either
Ill sand, moss, sponges or water, as when
planted in very rich soil, that / like to grow
them in one of the above methods in preference
TO blooming them in pots.
The first lot of Holland bulbs lowered were
grown in a common soup plate, for | neither
had the means nor taste, at that time, to pro-
cure the beautiful Hyacinth glasses that are to
be found in almost every home nowadays. 1
put in about half an inch of water in the bottom
and in the middle put in Hyacinth bulb.
which ultimately proved to be Anna Maria. /
remember the flowers were pure white. Around
the center bulb | put ring of crocus. By
and-by these fowered-blue, white, and yellow
l forgot to say that had moss all around the
bulbs How strange, then, we remember the
smallest details of what transpired in youthful
days, while many of the happenings of but
yesterday will escape our memory But L
digress.
The best soil to grow Holland bulbs in is
that made of decomposed sods, in which there
should be some very well-rotted COW manure,
and sand enough to make the entire compost
light and porous. When this cannot be had,
any good garden soil will answer; but the COM
post suggested is far superior to common
soil. Hyacinths to he grown in soil should be
potted from the middle of September up till
December. like to plant three different-col-
ored bulbs to seven-inch pot, because they
are much more effective grown In groups than
grown singly Put in some pieces Of broken
crockery and some charcoal at the bottom of
the pot, then fill the pot with the prepared soil
above recommended to within an inch of the
top, then put in the bulb, pressing it we'll into
the soil, and fill up with the soil, leaving only
the crown of the bulb exposed. Now, give
them a moderate supply of water, and put
them away in the dark that they may form
roots before they start leaf growth. In about
ak weeks you may bring them to the light for
blooming.
To grow Hyaciuths in sand take soup plate
china bowl, glass dish, indeed anything slight
ly ornamental, which will retain moisture, and
fill it heaping full of sand. Now push a
Hyacinth bulb carefully into the center, taking
care only to allow the top to be seen, and
around the edges plant Crocuses and Snow
drops After you get them all in sink the ves-
sel containing the bulbs in water for few
minutes to settle them in their places, then set
them away in the dark for fortnight, but as
often as once each week give them water, for
on no account must the sand be allowed to get
dry Mr.. RENNIE.
HINsDALE Dupage Co.. Ill.