146 MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN BULLETIN 
Twigs of flowering shrubs, like lilac, golden-bell (For- 
sythia), deutzia, spiraea, may be forced into bloom in mid- 
winter by submerging in warm water. A more satisfactory 
method, however, consists of placing the twigs in a tight 
container and pouring in ether at the rate of one teaspoon- 
ful to every 462 cubic inches of space. The plants should 
be allowed to remain in the vapor for 24 hours, and then 
be placed in water in a moist room. The moisture is essen- 
tial to prevent the drying out of buds before growth starts. 
Shrubs require special preliminary treatment if they are 
to be forced into successful bloom. It is absolutely .neces- 
sary that vegetation be completely arrested and that the 
plants shall have entered into the period of complete repose. 
Unless this condition is observed, notwithstanding the best 
processes of forcing and the most improved equipment, the 
pan’ will develop leaves, but the flower buds will be blasted. 
n general practice, plants with a compact, fibrous root sys- 
tem should be selected, frequent transplanting in the 
nursery assuring this result. In addition, it is desirable 
to pot the plants in the spring and keep them plunged in 
soil during the summer. ‘This will help ripen the wood 
more evenly and bring them into dormancy sooner. After 
a frost or two they should be placed in a cool house or cel- 
lar and kept at a temperature of 35° F. The plants will 
need no further watering if they are soaked thoroughly 
when stored. 
There are actually three stages of the rest-period: the first, 
when parts of the plant cease growing; second, the com- 
plete repose; and third, the beginning of growth again. 
During the period of complete repose, in December, is the 
best time to begin forcing. A temperature of 45-50° F. in 
the greenhouse, with constant syringing to force out the 
buds will bring plants into bloom in 10-12 weeks. In the 
spring the time of forcing is shortened to 4-6 weeks. In 
order to hasten the growth ether may be used. Its effect 
is to shorten the rest-period of plants, probably by stimula- 
tion of exzyme action, and to cause a consequent quick- 
ening of growth. At a temperature of 60-65° F., during 
the early period of rest, one-half ounce of ether should be 
used per cubic foot of space. The amount should be de- 
creased during the later stages of dormancy or if the rela- 
tive humidity of the chamber is high. Care must, be taken 
that the soil surrounding the plants is perfectly dry, as 
ether absorbs water and penetrates to the roots, causing in- 
jury and at the same time losing some of its efficiency be- 
cause of the absorption of the vapor. The plants should be 
placed in an air-tight chamber, a small opening being left 
