72 THE COMPLETE GARDEN 



can be successfully forced in water. The best method of forcing bulbs 

 in water is that of setting each bulb in a shallow receptacle, partially 

 filled with sand or coarse gravel, and keeping the water just even or 

 slightly below the base of the bulb. These bulbs should then be kept 

 in a dark, cool place for at least six weeks, and the receptacle should 

 be frequently filled with water, which must always be clear and fresh. 

 After the bulbs have commenced to root they may be treated in the 

 same way as bulbs forced in soil. 



Bulbs which have been forced in any manner are of no value for 

 forcing during the second year. Such bulbs should be allowed to 

 ripen their foliage by setting the pots or flats in a cool, light place, and 

 providing them with sufficient water to keep the bulb from drying 

 out until the top growth has ripened and begins to die. These bulbs 

 may then be set in the open ground at the proper time in the autumn 

 and they will produce some flowers during the succeeding year. It is 

 seldom that they will recover their vigour sufficiently to be of value 

 for the purpose of forcing during the second or third year. 



