378 MINNESOTA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



of plants are liest adapted for that purpose, and how to prepare them to 

 have them in bloom in time. It seems that the lily is especially adapted 

 for that purpose, for an Easter without lilies would seem to be no- 

 Easter at all. There is the Calla lily, not so popular now as formerly, and 

 Lilium candidum, or the Ascension lily, which used to be our only Easter 

 lily_l^ut now the Bermuda lily is grown almost altogether and preferred, 

 as the flower is so much larger, and is always sure to bloom, and can even 

 be had in bloom by Christmas and, in succession, all through the winter. 

 The bulbs are imported from the Bermuda Islands, and should be planted 

 in from five to seven-inch pots as soon as received, which will, generally, 

 be the latter part of July, or early in August. Put them in a cool place in 

 a frame with a little earth over the pots, and as soon as danger from frost is 

 past they should be brought into a cool house, except those for early flower- 

 ing, which should be put in a warm place close to the glass. Those for late 

 flowering may be planted, and kept dry In this way the bulbs will keep 

 better than when not planted. Those for Easter flowering may be kept in a 

 temperature of about 45° to 50" until the first of February. After that, 

 they must be put in a temperature of 60° to 65° until the buds are almost 

 ready to open, and, if too early, they may be held back in a cold house or 

 cellar until the time to use them. It is by far better to hold them back 

 than to have to force them too much the latter part of .the time, as the 

 flowers will be better and stronger if allowed to open slowly. 



Next is spiraea japonica, a white feathery flower with very nice dark-green 

 foliage, which makes a very attractive decorative plant when in bloom, 

 and is easily forced. Bulbs or roots are mostly imported, and planted in pots 

 of a size to suit the roots; kept cool at first until started, then gradually 

 brought into a warmer place until the buds are ready to open. 



Next is the hj^drangea, a hardy shrub, very valuable for Easter. It is 

 one of the most showy plants when in full bloom, as the flowers of some 

 varieties often measure over twelve inches in diameter. The Red Branch, 

 a new variety, is one of the best flowers, large, very bright dark pink and 

 a very free bloomer. 



H. Otaksa, light pink, very large flowers, good bloomer. 



H. Thomas Hogg, pure white, very free bloomer, but not so large as the 

 former. 



H. Paniculata, perfectly hardy, flowers white, will force easy. 



To grow them and have them in good condition for spring-flowering, 

 cuttings should be made early in the spring, and planted out in a frame in 

 rich soil in the summer; given plenty of water during summer; and in the 

 fall, before cold weather, lifted and potted and kept in a cool house until 

 about 1st of January; then they must be put in a warmer place, tem- 

 perature about 50°, for about a month, after that a temperature of about 

 60° to 65°, until the blooms are fully developed; then, if too early, they 

 will keep a long time, but will keep better in a cooler house. 



Another hardy shrub is deutcia gracilis, which is easily forced; flow- 

 ers pure white. 



Next, the azalea indica, native of China, very fine for Easter dec- 

 oration. They would naturally bloom about Easter if kept in a cool 

 house. Plants are mostly imported from Europe. The best are grown in 

 Ghent, Belgium. They are early forced in bloom for Christmas, and can 

 be had in succession all winter by bringing a few at the time into a warmer 



