404 THE PRINCIPLES OF FLORICULTURE 



are received, they should be stored, separating the roots 

 with a little earth or moss, and placing a little soil over the 

 crown. No amount of freezing does them the slightest 

 harm ; however, it is well to cover the boxes or flats in 

 which they are stored with a little straw or litter, and 

 they should have the full benefit of rain or snow to keep the 

 roots from drying out. 



It requires from ten to fourteen weeks to bring as- 

 tilbes into flower after they are potted. Much depends 

 on the earliness of the season at which they are wanted 

 in flower. Ordinary potting soil may be used, and the 

 pot should be sufficiently large to allow for an abundance of 

 water, which they will later need. A temperature of 50 

 at night suits them best. This may be increased to 60 

 if necessary, but when grown at a higher temperature, they 

 quickly wilt when cut or used for decoration. From the 

 time the sprays begin to show color, until they are fully 

 developed, every potted astilbe should stand in an inch 

 of water. When sold for window plants or for decoration, 

 astilbes are often disappointing, due simply to lack 

 of sufficient water. Before the full development of the 

 shoots and leaves, they are easily injured by tobacco 

 smoke; hence, they should be covered with paper or 

 syringed thoroughly when fumigation is necessary. 

 Aphis, spider or thrips rarely trouble astilbes. 



BULBS FOR FORCING 



662. Narcissi, botanical classification. Order, Ama- 

 ryllidacese ; genus, Narcissus (from a character in Greek 

 mythology, or from the Greek word for narcotic, in allu- 

 sion to the narcotic poisoning properties of the plant) ; 

 species Spring blooming : bulbocodium, meadow-saf- 



