CHAPTER XLI 

 SHRUBS FOR FORCING IN WATER IN EARLY SPRING 



Before winter has gone and the warm days of early spring cause 

 our early-flowering shrubs to mature some very interesting flowers 

 may be developed indoors on twigs of such plants. These flowers, 

 the harbingers of spring, may be developed almost as well indoors as 

 out of doors at a later date on the plants. The reason for such normal 

 development under abnormal conditions is that the flowers, complete 

 in miniature form, lie within the existing flower buds ready to burst 

 forth when given sufficient heat and moisture. 



When forcing cut stems of hard wooded ornamental plants in 

 water in winter or early spring, the best results are secured by following 

 a few simple rules. When flowers are desired, select branches of plants 

 which produce flowers from buds formed the previous year. Other- 

 wise, only leaves will result, which of course are sometimes desirable 

 as an addition to the flowers of other sorts. Since all the flowers and 

 leaves which will appear must come from buds already upon the twigs 

 and branches be careful to cut only branches containing plump, full 

 buds, especially when flowers are desired. It is possible to cut these 

 branches at any time from February to April. After cutting the 

 branches care must be taken to keep them from drying out and it is 

 often well worth while to soak the whole twigs for a few hours in warm 

 water, both before starting to force them and occasionally afterward at 

 intervals of a week. This will loosen the bud scales, soften the whole 

 fibre of the twig, and remove dust, thus taking the place of spring 

 showers. The twigs should be from twelve to thirty inches long and 

 placed in fairly large receptacles with plenty of water. The water 

 should be changed every second or third day and should have small 

 pieces of charcoal added in order to help keep it sweet. Each two or 

 three days it is advisable to make fresh cuts at the bottom ends of the 

 twigs and it is often worth while to wash the cut ends in mild soap and 

 water to prevent sliminess. 



The forsythias or golden bells are the easiest and most successful 



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