HARDY PLANTS FORCING 399 



651. Preparation for forcing. Most biennials and 

 herbaceous perennials for forcing are best propagated by 

 sowing the seed in January as described in Chapter IX. 

 As soon as the seedlings are large enough they are trans- 

 planted into flats. They are later planted in rows in a 

 coldframe. If any flower buds develop during the 

 summer, they are removed. This throws the vigor into 

 the root and foliage development. After several severe 

 frosts in the fall, the plants are brought into the houses and 

 planted in raised benches or solid beds. If they are to be 

 grown in pots, it is often best to pot them during the sum- 

 mer, so they may establish a root system before being 

 brought into the house. They are given the same cultural 

 treatment as that required to bring shrubs into bloom. 



LILIES-OF-THE-V ALLEY AND ASTILBE 



652. Lilies-of-the-valley, botanical classification. - 

 Order, Liliaceae; genus, Convallaria (an old Latin name 

 derived from convallis, a valley) ; species, majalis 

 (Fig. 48). 



653. Lilies-of-the-valley, botanical characters. The 

 lily-of-the-valley is a hardy, herbaceous plant with radical 

 leaves which spring from an upright root-stock or pip. 

 The flowers are white, small, and tubular, nodding, in a 

 short, radical raceme. They are much grown commercially 

 for their delicate, sweet-scented flowers. The roots are 

 medicinal and are poisonous in large quantities. Lily-of- 

 the-valley is used as a heart stimulant. It is a shade- 

 loving plant. 



Habitat. The natural habitat of the lily-of-the-valley 

 is in the mountains of Virginia and South Carolina, and in 

 the mountainous regions of temperate Europe and Asia. 



