LILY OP THE VALLEY. 179 



ferior, so that the attempt to flower them has completely 

 iailed in more than half the number of instances tried. 



The method is to place the crowns thickly together in 

 shallow boxes, and keep them cool for 4 or 5 weeks after 

 planting, or until they have formed roots. The tem- 

 pe. ature is then gradually increased until it reaches 65 or 

 70 degrees. The glass should be well shaded. The plant 

 being a native of shady woods, the nearer we can imitate 

 nature the better will be our success in cultivation. Some 

 who force this keep the plants entirely in the dark until 

 the leaf and flower-spikes are well developed. 



JAPANESE CHRYSANTHEMUM. 



Chrysanthemum laciniatum, the Japanese Fringe Flow- 

 er, which is comparatively new to our collections, it 

 having been introduced with several others in 1865. As 

 a Chrysanthemum merely, there is nothing remarkable 

 about it, except the fringed edging to the petals ; but last 

 year its winter-flowering qualities were discovered by one 

 of the leading flower-growers for the New York market ; 

 its blooming so late gives it great value for florists' pur- 

 poses. The flowers are double, nearly three inches in di- 

 ameter, delicately fringed, and of the purest white. It is 

 this season largely grown for winter bouquets, etc., by 

 most of our florists. 



CHAPTER XXVL 



CONSTRUCTION OF BOUQUETS, BASKETS, &c., &c. 



The following chapter on making up flowers into 

 bouquets, etc., and descriptive of the various styles now in 

 use hi New York and vicinity, has been written by James 

 EL Park, of Brooklyn, L. I. Mr. Park's taste and judge- 



