THE INJURY TO PLANTS BY FORCING. 265 



of plants were consequently received for it. To obtain 

 the plants to fill the orders from the limited stock, it 

 was forced in a temperature unusually high ; other cut- 

 tings were taken from the cuttings already struck, so 

 that a dozen roots were made to produce nearly 3,000 

 plants. When these plants came into flower, instead of 

 producing the fine form and double variety that had 

 been exhibited, nearly all produced semi-double flowers. 

 This brought a storm on the head of the unfortunate nur- 

 seryman, who was charged with sending out a spurious 

 variety, and he had not only to refund the money which 

 he had received for the plants, but was seriously injured 

 in his business standing. That semi-double flowers were 

 produced in consequence of lessened vitality, was shown 

 by the fact that these self-same roots produced in the 

 succeeding year and afterwards, double flowers like the 

 original, and for many years the " Beauty of Hastings" 

 was known as a standard sort. Again, we remember 

 that in the day of the grape-vine fever, the "Delaware," 

 and some other varieties, by being propagated in a high 

 temperature and from the young shoots year after year, 

 became so weakened, as to hardly be recognized as the 

 original variety. Plants of Rhubarb, after they have 

 been forced, are usually thrown away as useless, and 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, Lily of the Valley, and nearly all 

 other roots and bulbs used in forcing take years to recu- 

 perate in the open ground after they have been once 

 made to bloom in the hot-house. This is so well known 

 among florists, that nearly all throw away the bulbs that 

 have been forced in winter. If we consider that this 

 treatment of the natives of temperate latitudes is in 

 direct violation of their natural condition, we will not 

 wonder that they rebel against the abuse. Carnations, 

 Roses, Grapes, and bulbs of nearly all kinds, are hardy, 

 or nearly so, in northern latitudes, and their nature 

 requires a rest of three or four months. Our forcing 



