The hyacinth is a native of the East. When it was introduced into
England, in 1596, only four varieties of it were known, but the Dutch
gardeners soon made wonderful progress in its culture, and, along
toward the end of the sixteenth century, had produced at least two
thousand varieties.
This plant is well adapted for house decoration in winter, when flowers
are rare. Its culture requires but little care. When the bulbs have
taken root in a dark place they are gradually brought into the light,
and placed where the temperature is moderate.
[Illustration: FIG. 1.--HYACINTH GLASS. FIG. 2.--DETAILS.]
Is a regular changing of the water favorable to the development of
this plant? Many florists doubt it, and it is often recommended not to
change the water, but only to replace that which has been lost through
evaporation. Others are of a contrary opinion, and assert that the
less favorable results that are obtained when the water is changed are
merely due the fact that the roots are injured when the plant is taken
out of the glass.
With the old style of glasses it has always been difficult to renew the
water regularly and keep the glass clean, but this inconvenience has
disappeared in the glasses invented by Mr. J. C. Schmidt, of Erfurth.
Fig. 1 represents one of these glasses, and Fig. 2 shows the details.
As may be seen, the tube, a, which contains the bulb, may be removed
from the glass, b, without the plant being touched or its roots
disturbed. The glass, b, may thus be easily cleaned and filled with
fresh water as often as necessary.--_Science et Nature_.