period until the natural colour is gained.  Thence transfer to the forcing-pit as requirements demand; and they will need a week or ten days to prepare them for use.  It is easy to secure a continuous supply of Hyacinths from Christmas onwards by forcing successive batches of roots until the final display will come into flower without artificial assistance.  To augment the beauty of the flowers employ as little heat as may be necessary, and defer the finishing temperature until the latest moment possible.  For general decorative purposes, small pots will be found extremely convenient when a brilliant display is wanted in a limited compass; good specimens can be grown in the 48-size, but for exhibition the 32-size must be resorted to.  Neither in pots nor in glasses should the bulbs be allowed to send up leaves from between the outer scales; these rob the central growth, and they should be carefully removed with a sharp knife.

==Hyacinths, Italian and Roman==, should be potted in successive batches to provide a continuous supply.  When the roots are formed the pots may be removed to a pit or frame, and to the forcing temperature as the buds show.  If they have been brought on gradually, a very few days in a warm pit or house will throw them into bloom.  It is a source of astonishment to us that these flowers are not more extensively grown in private gardens.  Immense numbers are annually consigned to the London markets, and find a ready sale for bouquets and table decoration.  Of course these Hyacinths will not bear comparison with the splendid named varieties which come later, but the Italian and Roman classes are ready at a time when flowers are scarce and valuable.  Like other bulbs of the same class, they may be shaken out of their own pots and transferred to ornamental contrivances.

==Iris==.—­The tuberous varieties are all perfectly hardy, and may be planted at any time from August to December.  Put into light soil three inches deep and nine inches apart they will give no trouble, except to lift and divide them every second or third season.

==Ixia==.—­Babianas, Ixias, and Sparaxis may all be treated in precisely the same manner.  In sheltered districts in the Southern counties they can be grown in the open ground; but otherwise the culture must be in pots under the shelter of a frame or greenhouse.  A 48-sized pot will hold four or five bulbs, and they will thrive in any soil which contains a large proportion of sand.  In spring they may be transferred to a sandy border, or they can be kept in pots for a couple of years when well managed.

==Jonquil==.—­The treatment recommended for Narcissus will suit this highly perfumed flower, both for forcing and in the open ground.