JANUARY 281 



ture of 80 to 90, and the covering fibre must be 

 syringed several times a day to keep the tops moist. 

 If the temperature is lower than I have indicated, 

 the leaves will probably not appear until the blossoms 

 are over, but by forcing in a steadily high tempera- 

 ture both will come together. Most persons will 

 object that they cannot command so high a tempera- 

 ture in an ordinary greenhouse. I used to think so 

 myself until I came to make experiments. Pots on 

 an open stage, standing high above the stove, will 

 probably not find themselves in anything warmer 

 than, perhaps, 50, but a good plunge set closely 

 over the stove and kept thoroughly moist will often 

 run the thermometer up to 90 immediately above 

 the greatest point of warmth. 



It is of no 'Use, however, to attempt to force lilies 

 in this temperature unless means can be taken to 

 prevent their becoming dry. The roots as well as 

 the tops must be kept moist by a constant applica- 

 tion of the watering-pot and the syringe respectively. 

 When the crowns have started about a couple of 

 inches, light can be gradually admitted, until event- 

 ually full exposure is permissible. 



I have been planting a new bed of lilies of the 

 valley in the open this winter, after two previous 

 failures on the same piece of ground. It is odd 

 that very often this flower will not thrive in spots 

 which appear in every respect suited to it. The 

 aspect may be right, the soil perfect, the drainage 

 adequate, and yet the result may be unmitigated 

 failure. Three years ago I planted several hun- 

 dreds of crowns in an apparently suitable spot, and 

 gave them the liquid manure which they love as 



