396 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



have shown that ether has the same effect on the proto- 

 plasm of plants as it has on animals. There are three 

 stages of rest for a plant. The first is when the plant's 

 greatest growth has been accomplished and it is getting 

 ready to rest ; the second is the complete rest ; and the 

 third is just as the plant gets ready to start into new growth. 

 The effect of ether is to shorten these periods, especially 

 the second, by making it a more intense resting period. 

 The amount of rest being secured, the plants pass quickly 

 through the third stage, and come into bloom rapidly. 



For this method of forcing, the plants are put into a 

 sealed box, and placed in dry sand. The box and the plants 

 should be dry, so that they will not absorb the ether. 

 The temperature should be from 62 to 66. Directly 

 under the lid of the box, there should be a small bottle 

 into which the ether may be poured. This should be 

 near the lid, as the ether is heavier than air, and the fumes 

 will settle. This treatment should be given in the day- 

 time, as any artificial light will cause the mixed ether 

 and air to explode. Three hundred grams by weight of 

 ether should be used for one cubic meter of air. The 

 plants should be left in the box for forty-eight hours. 

 Sometimes the treatment is repeated in a few days. Pure 

 sulfuric ether is considered the best. Chloroform has 

 not given as satisfactory results. 



After this treatment, the plants are placed in a cool house, 

 and receive the usual attention. 



Experiments thus far seem to prove that : 



1. The use of ether in late winter is useless, as the 

 plants can then be equally well forced without it. 



2. Etherized lilacs force most rapidly ; all plants bloom 

 profusely, and the blooms are more perfect, while the 

 foliage is deeper colored. 



