64 FRENCH MARKET-GARDENING 



be carried out in the same way with hot-beds, but later 

 in the year altogether. It would also be possible to 

 have the Violet-beds arranged so that they could be 

 easily covered with frames and lights, or cloches, 

 without the plants being moved at all. Indeed, the 

 treatment described for obtaining early Strawberries 

 (see p. 60) might be carried out with advantage in the 

 cultivation of early Violets ; and with good annual 

 mulchings of manure and plenty of water when 

 required the plants would continue to yield large crops 

 of blossoms for years. 



8. Christmas Roses (Helleborus niger). During 

 December and January large numbers of these pure 

 white blossoms find their way to market and are highly 

 appreciated. To secure these, the clumps have to 

 be lifted and carried into a warm greenhouse to open 

 their blossoms. If, however, the beds on which they 

 are grown were to be only the width of the frames 

 and lights, it would be an easy matter to force them 

 into early blossom by filling up the pathways between 

 the frames with hot manure, in the same way as for 

 Strawberries (p. 60). With cloches, however, it would 

 be possible to cover each crown, and place the manure 

 between. As great heat is not necessary, the Christmas 

 Rose seems to be particularly well suited for this 

 system of cultivation. 



9. Miscellaneous. Several other popular plants, 

 such as early Tulips, Lilies of the Valley, Primroses, 

 Polyanthuses, Auriculas, Forget-me-Nots, etc., might 

 be brought earlier into blossom if desired by the 

 judicious use of frames and cloches. 



During July and August, when the lights and cloches 

 are usually stacked away in heaps and piles in French 



