Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1899-12-18

renders them self-suppOrting, if grown
slowly and in a cool atmosphere. When
all are planted, set the pots in warm
water until the moisture begins 20
show at the surface. Remove and set
the pots out doors in a shady place,
secure from rain and cover the soil
with an inch of leaf rubbish or straw
Examine from time to time, watering
them lightly if they become dry, and
as soon as the shoots begin to show
remove the mulch and accustom the
plants gradually to full sunshine.
Leave them outside until actual freeZ-
ing threatens, then transfer to sunny
window in a fireless room. When well
established give warm water sufficient
to saturate the soil every morning
pouring it into the saucer and remOy-
ing the surplus. They are all semi
aquatic in their requirements. With
these, as with the entire winter bulb
family, the grandest results are at
tanned by giving them an atmosphere
as cold as possible without actual
freezing, with plenty of sunshine,
moisture and fresh air. Do not hurry
them. If freesias are planted by the
dozen in boxes, setting them two or
three inches apart each way they will
yield perfect mass Of bloom and the
fragrance is indescribable.
Roman hyacinths follow next, be-
cause of their delicious sweetness and
al iJ1o INTrf II
en- and you will have none too many
A good bulb of the Roman hyacinth
produces several spikes of bloom, and
when three or four are planted in a
five or siX-foOt pot or a dozen or two
in a box or basket they yield mass
of waxen beauty and delicate sweetness
that captivates the beholder at first
sight. There are several delicate col
ors, but none so eXquisitely beautiful
as the snowy white. Potted in Septem-
Der or early OCTOBER, we may have
them in bloom for Christmas. On
through October and November they
may be potted at intervals for a success
sion, giving us their lovely waxen bells
for Easter Provide good drainage and
in filling the pots provide hollow for
each bulb and place them with the
crowns just above the surface. Press
the earth firmly about them but do not
force or press the bulb down. Set the
pots in pan of tepid water until the
moisture begins to show at the sur
face, then set them in the darkest
corner of a COOL dark cellar for six
weeks at least, and much longer if you
want to- The absence of a cellar need
not prevent one growing bulbs; dark
closet will answer very we'll; if it be on
the cool side of the house, so much the
better. The first hyacinths I ever grow
indoors took their long beauty sleep IN
a zinc-lined jelly closet. The flowers
were perfect. | have never had finer
and that was long time ago. Exam
inc the bulbs occasionally and do not
permit them to become dry The soil
should be kept moist throughout, but
not soaked. They may be brought Up
when the pot is we'll filled with roots
or they may be left until the buds be-
gin to show. The main point is 10
avoid hurrying them. So, when
brought up, place them in strong
light but not sunshine for one or two
weeks, according to their development
One must use judgment. Then place
in full sunlight in a cool room, give
plenty of air and moisture and they
will grow strong and stocky, with
flowers of great substance.
Dutch hyacinths require the same
treatment, and if it is given them, the
spikes will not need coaxing upward
under the impetus of paper cone.
These embody a world of sweetness
and wondrous variety Of shade in all
the soft and tender colors, including,
moreover, the most brilliant reds and
deepest, richest blue and purple