Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 27 



total returns of the crop. To ensure catching the early markets an early 

 start must be made, growing in conjunction therewith only those kinds 

 which experience has proved to be amenable to hard forcing. An equally 

 important factor in the case is- that of securing hard, well-ripened bulbs, 

 since grossly grown, flabby, manure-gorged bulbs are the least calculated 

 to bear the strain, or in the end to produce characteristic, well-balanced, or 

 good-coloured flowers. The bulb, therefore, that is as hard as the proverbial 

 stone, and of moderate size according to its kind, is the one that roots best 

 and responds most promptly to artificial heat. 



By an " early start " the months of August and September are meant, 

 and all bulbs intended for early forcing should be planted within these 

 limits. Where the bulbs are being supplied from a distance everything 

 should be in readiness, and the work begun promptly on receipt of the 

 bulbs. 



BOXES OR POTS. In the choice of receptacles there is no room for a 

 second thought, the boxes proving to be a veritable multum in parvo in 

 the case, the more so where they at all approach a uniform size throughout. 

 In this direction the herring or bloater box finds considerable favour it is 

 of convenient size and depth, and easily moved about. Such a box would 

 hold of the variety poeticus ornatus about 8 dozen bulbs, of Golden Spur 

 or Emperor about 4 dozen bulbs, and of a moderate-sized bulb like that of 

 the Tenby Daffodil (Narcissus obvallaris) about 6 dozen bulbs. Where 

 such boxes are not available others of a convenient size may be had to 

 order, those of 16 in. by 12 in. by 4 in., all inside measurements, being 

 found to answer well. The value of these light-made boxes, despite the 

 fact that with heat and moisture they quickly decay, is that they are 

 great economizers of space, and by their use it is possible to get 100,000 

 or 150,000 bulbs, dependent on the variety, into a house 100 ft. in length. 



PLANTING. This is a simple matter of considerable importance. Charge 

 the boxes quite two-thirds their depth with soil, but avoid firming the soil 

 to any considerable extent. Nearly all daffodils of the trumpet section 

 send their root fibres down almost perpendicularly, and issuing spon- 

 taneously from the bulb will often prise themselves out if the soil be made 

 too firm. By first making the soil moderately firm, then pressing the bulbs 

 into it and firmly covering in, they are usually kept in position. Arrange 

 the bulbs almost touching in the boxes, and so place them that the " nose " 

 or apex is just below the level of the box. After placing in the surface 

 soil make it quite firm by ramming. 



THE PREPARATORY STAGE. When planting is completed place the boxes 

 on a level bed of ashes and give a thorough soaking of water, repeating the 

 operation till the soil is completely saturated with moisture. Daffodils of 

 the class one has in mind delight in root moisture, and at this stage there 

 should be no lack of it. Finally, twenty-four hours later, the boxes may 

 be covered with fine coal ash to a depth of 6 in., an essential in the case to 

 prevent lifting. Under this covering the bulbs will be safe for the coming- 

 six or eight weeks, requiring no attention meanwhile. 



