Decksibkr 23, IsiiT 



The Weekly Florists^ Review. 



189 



Two views of the interior of a well appointed packing shed. 



sires, and for cutting alone there are ad- 

 vantages in it, the old stock plan's may 

 be kept, stored for the winter and early 

 spring and planted on the benches again 

 to grow on. Such old plants, in propor- 

 tion to their strength, will carry three to 

 five shoots in their second year and finish 

 them all with bracts as large as those 

 from single stemmed plants in their first 

 year. I have seen old plants that have 

 stood several years in one spot, till their 

 stem became six inches or more in cir- 

 cumference at its base, and from these a 

 dozen shoots were taken up, tied out and 

 perfected fine bracts. 



Thus the plant can be adapted to one's 

 convenience, though probably in a general 

 way removal and storage would be prac- 

 ticed, otherwise much valuable space 

 would be idle when the plants were rest- 

 ing where grown. On the other hand, as 

 for example, at the ends of houses, some 

 might be planted out and left, thus utiliz- 

 ing space often wasted. The poinsettia is 

 a Mexican shrub but has been in cultiva- 

 tion under glass more than sixty years. 

 A. Herrington. 



Madison, N. J. 



DIELYTRA, OR DICENTRA SPEC- 

 TABILIS FOR FORCING. 



Now that hardy flowers which will bear 

 forcing are being sought for, this beauti- 

 ful old favorite of gardens might be 

 brought into the prominence it deserves. 

 It is bound to be appreciated, grown in 

 this way, having long since taken a prom- 

 inent place in tlie outdoor garden, and 

 probably in these latitudes we shall get 

 more satisfaction and beauty from it 

 grown in this way, as owing to its pro- 

 pensity for early growth and the ve xatious- 

 ness of spring frosts, it is no unusual oc- 

 currence to see it nipped in the bud and 

 its display for the season sadly marred in 

 conseqxience. 



Seen in the full vigor of unchecked 

 growth and blossom, few outdoor flowers 

 can compare with it, as it combines the 

 graceful growth and airy elegance of a 

 fern with long arching sprays of lilossoms 

 unique in form and of a bright cheerful 

 pink color. Both its popular names of 

 "Bleeding Heart" and "Dutchman's 

 Breeches" have a distinct significance, 

 aptly apph'ing to its quaint form. It has 



been a favorite forcing plant in European 

 gardens for many years and I can recall 

 memories of handsome specimens filling 

 large tubs, though the flowers lacked 

 somewhat of their wonted color 

 brightness as compared with those of 

 open air growth. Here, however, with 

 very much more sun at forcing times I 

 should anticipate more color, but in any 

 case it could not fail to please. To have 

 it fine and in abundance for the Easter 

 trade is a comparatively easy matter. 



Old plants are readily increased by 

 division, strong clumps consisting of many 

 crowns, and it is possible to divide up to 

 single crowns and secure roots with each. 

 To force in quantity, however, and of 

 good marketable size, I would give 

 preference to plants of from five to eight 

 strong crowns which might be potted into 

 6-inch and .S-inch pots, respectively, and 

 such as these should find a ready sale. 

 No added foliage is here needed to set off 

 or bring out the charms of the flowers. 

 Owing to its readiness of increase a good 

 stock of forcing material could be grown 

 at home in the growing plot as I have 

 previoush- reconnnended, and such stock 



