Hardy and Half-hardy Plants 



6.S 



by the introduction of the refrigerating or retarding system into horti- 

 culture. Lilies of the Valley can now be had in bloom at all seasons of 

 the year, either by forcing them in winter or retarding them in summer 

 (fig. 218). 



To secure the finest crowns for forcing, growers prefer a light sandy 

 soil that is naturally cool and moist, but yet well drained. In such a soil 

 the finest forcing crowns are produced after two or three years of cultiva- 

 tion. From August to December large purchases are made by. growers, the 

 "Berlin" variety being largely used for winter and early spring work. 

 From October onwards the crowns are placed in pots or kipper boxes, the 

 tops of the crowns being flush with the top of the receptacles. A light 



Fig. 218.- Lily of the Valley forced for Market 



sifted soil of almost any description is used, and worked in between the 

 crowns. About one dozen are put into a 5-in. pot; but in boxes the crowns 

 are placed about 1 in. apart every way. The plants are then given a good 

 watering, and if it is intended to force them at once, they are plunged up 

 to the rims in beds of coconut fibre, moss, or leaf mould, and perhaps a 

 layer of moss 3 or 4 in. thick is placed over them. The temperature is kept 

 up between 80 and 95 F., and care is taken never to let it drop below 80 

 or to rise above 100. The beds or chambers in which the plants are placed 

 should be perfectly dark, and this is best done by placing boarded lights 

 over them. Water must be given in great abundance each day, taking 

 care that it is of the same temperature say 80 F. as the bed in which 

 the plants are placed. 



When the shoots are about 2 or 3 in. high the moss is taken off the tops 

 and a little light is admitted gradually. As soon as the blossoms appear r 

 overhead watering is discontinued, and the plants are moved from the 

 forcing bed to a somewhat cooler place and receive more light. Other 



VOL II. 



20 



