Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-10-12
WINTER incoming Flowers.


inc flowers during the winter should
prepare for 1t now. Many, no doubt,
have already potted few geraniums,
fuchsias, begonias and oxalis, and have
them well under way by this time,
ready to set III sunny window Is soon
"A the first hard, destructive frosts
come. but these al the best afford but
s,arsa bloom. Coal gas in rooms Is
very destructive 10 ho~ers, and there
ara few rooms not heated from cell ,rs
that have not more or less coal gas
Still. in the face OF these diff culties,
there are many persons who make out
to have very pretty bloom OF howers
during the coldess winter, for almost
auy bloom OF flowers may be considered
uretty in winter, when everything with
out is gloomy aud dreary..
But there is q variety OF flowers that
will we'll repay the trouble In the cul.
ture OF them for winter blooming, and
there arc but few who seem inclined to
indulge in raising that variety, or else
thew are not aware of the ease with
which they can be raised, and the
beauty and cheer they afford when in
bloom. We allude now TO the bulb
family OF II D ers, such as hyacinths,
tulips, the crocus, narclssus, snow
drops and 30 veral other bran ches OF the
bulb family, whose particular province
seems to be to bring cheer and beauty
into a cold, dreary winter. And these
bulbs are easily procured and easily
rlised, Amongst those we have men-
toned. the hyacincth and tulip are the
most prolific and bring the best return
in Il overs, and where in all fair Flora 5
realm can pre.tier flowers be found, -
The hyacinth grows up rapidly, stately
and beautifully. As soon rs 1t makes
its appearance above the earth the
h)wer stock appears with its ball of bell
shaped flowers, single, double and in
any color desired
1t Is very entertaining TO watch the
stately stalk and see how much 1t grows
each day. AS the spike grows upward
the bell shaped flowers unfold them
selves gradually, aud when the last one
on the TOD opens we have before us a
colossal pyramid Of beauty, seuding its
sweet, grateful fragrance all through
thehouss wherever there is an open
door or crevice.
HBut we are asked is 1t not too late te
plant bulbs for winter blooming We
answer that 1t is not for January and
February. They kindly submit tt
forcing, and lust a little forcing will
bring hyacinths planted now into ful
bloom by Christmas, especially tht
little Roman hyacinth, which Is pecul
iarly adapted to winter use. Hyacinth
can be claa:ed in FIVE or six inch pots
In rich, light dirt, and place. By a wal
where they can bs covered by wooded
shutters, or some other similar con
trivance to keep off heavy, dashin
rains, They should be covered about
foot deep in leaves or hay, and bein
we'll watered when potted, may be lei
month to form roots, AT the end
that tifnstt1ey might be brought OF
and re- potted intoiarger pots. &C oordin
to the sizs or strength OF the bulb, an
placed In a tenn erature of abslt so d
grees for about three weeks, when u
temperature can be increased to abo'
so or 65 degrees they should now
we'll watered with tepld water. Whs
the flower stems have risen to near
their full height aud the lower ti1we
of the spike arc beginning to expan
the plants can he removed to low
Temperature, where they will contri
to send forth a sweet fragrance for q
weeks after the bloom commenced. '
can have hyacin.hs al through !
winter if we will plant few bu
tua..l-g Md ll
them coming along gradually.
spring blooming hyacinths can
planted about four inches beneath
surface of the earth now, and they '
need no more locking after. They :
be on hand in early spring with
bloom OF beautiful spikes of flo wer
The bulbs are hardy, and Will St
almost any amount OF freezing.
quick way to have early hyacintns
place them in hyacinth glasses,
after keeping them in dark r
about four weeks, bring them out to
light, and they will soon spring i'll
bloom. The water, however sh
be changed tive or three times W
and they should not be LEFT in wine
where the water will freeze.
OF the tulip branch u tho pRio "a
the single aud double varieties Of
Dac Won Tnol are preferable Cor
earliest forcing. Their culture
treatment are similar to th.t Of
hyaeinth. Their bloom is very d
emit from the hyacinth, but fully eqr
1t in beauty. Some of the flowers
as high as six inches across win
perfect height of bloom. With a
pots of hyacinths AMI tulips L,
need be without winter ii)wers
will grow in any house, no matter
humble or how high, and they ar
so easily affected with coal gas a
raniums, roses and fachsia5
bulbs can be procured without
cost, a dollar or 50 blying sutiici'
keep q bloom all winter.