few days later, if covered with full six inches of earth over the crowns.  The Hyacinth is so hardy that protection need not be thought of, except in peculiar cases of unusual exposure, or on the occurrence of an excessively low temperature when they are growing freely.  Under any circumstances, there is no protection so effectual as dry litter, but a thin coat of half-rotten manure spread over the bed is to be preferred in the event of danger being apprehended at any time before the growth has fairly pushed through.

The bulbs may be taken up as soon as the leaves acquire a yellow colour, so that the brilliant display of spring may be immediately followed by another, equally brilliant perhaps, but in character altogether different.  When grown in beds, Hyacinths do not require water or sticks; all they need is to be planted properly, and they will take care of themselves.

==Miniature Hyacinths.==—­These charming little sparkling gems are invaluable for baskets, bowls and other contrivances which are adapted for the choicest decorative purposes.  In quality they are excellent, the spikes being symmetrical, the flowers well formed, and the colours brilliant.  But they are true miniatures, growing about half the size of the other kinds, and requiring less soil to root in.  They will flower well if planted in a mixture of moss-fibre and charcoal, kept constantly moist, and covered with the greenest moss, to give to the ornament containing them a finished appearance.

==Feather and Grape Hyacinths== will grow in any good garden soil, and are admirably adapted for borders that are shaded by trees.  They should be planted in large clumps, and be allowed to remain several years undisturbed.  Both classes are beautiful—­the Feather Hyacinth emphatically so; indeed, numerous as beautiful flowers are, this, for delicacy of structure, has peculiar claims to our admiration, when presenting its feathery plumes a foot or more in length, all cut into curling threads of the most elegant tenuity.  Grape Hyacinths make a charming ornament for the drawing-room when grown in bowls of moss-fibre.

==Roman Hyacinth.==—­This flower is particularly welcome in the short, dark days of November, December, and January.  For placing in glasses to decorate the drawing-room or dinner-table the spikes of bloom are largely grown; and the separate flowers, mounted on wire, form an important feature in winter bouquets, for which purpose their delicious perfume renders them especially valuable.

The bulbs can be grown with the utmost ease.  Pot them immediately they can be obtained in August or September, and stand them in some spare corner in the open ground, where they can be covered with a few inches of leaf-mould.  This will encourage the roots to start before there is any top growth.  In October remove the covering, and transfer the pots to a pit or frame, or they may be placed under the greenhouse stage for a time, provided they will not