120 



BULBOUS PLANTS. 



wintered in the same way, that is, in a dormant condition, in a warm 

 place, although C. odorata can easily be kept over Winter with the roots 

 of the previous Summer preserved and the foliage green by storing the 

 steins thickly together in boxes, keeping on the youngest leaves when 

 lifted and storing plants in a fairly warm Louse, giving water occasion- 

 ally. Well furnished plants can be had quicker from the stems of this 

 than from those of C. esculenta. The propagation of C. odorata should 

 be attended to during February. Cut up the long stems into pieces with 

 a dormant eye to each piece, dust them over with powdered charcoal to 

 prevent decay, and lay them in the sun to dry for a day or so; after- 

 ward put in moss, not too wet, in a warm frame, where they will sprout 

 much in the same manner as stove Alocasias. Pot as soon as the roots 

 are sufficient in number. 



CONVALLARIA HAJALIS-Lily of the Valley pips used in this country 

 for forcing purposes are obtained from abroad. There is, however, no 

 reason why they shouM nut be produced as good in the United States. 

 Lily of the Valley thrives in some parts very luxuriantly, when grown in 

 the shade of small trees with an annual top-dressing of decayed leaves or 

 old manure. The pips are received during the early part of November, 

 and the florist who can raise bloom successfully from these before Christ- 

 mas does not need to be told anything of the plant's culture. At that 

 time, however, good roots are obtainable from the previous year's sup- 

 ply, kept in cold storage. Or home-grown material may, in time, be 

 used, as then preparation could be made earlier with greater certainty 

 of success in early blooming. Lily of the Valley is a decidedly artificial- 

 looking flower when unaccompanied by its foliage. A stock of small 

 pips should be put in the forcing house and given plenty time to develop 

 the foliage for occasions when wanted. The material in which to pJace 

 the pips may be pure sand, as no new roots are made during the forcing 

 period. When taken from a temperature near the freezing point, increase 

 it very gradually until a bottom heat of from 80 to 85 degrees is given 

 for the actual work of forcing. The pips may be kept almost in the 

 dark at first, gradually giving light as they develop; but keep them 

 shaded from the sun. In storing pips for the Winter keep them in a 

 frame, with a northern exposure, so that rapid thawing and freezing 

 may be obviated. There are double flowered and variegated-leaved 

 forms ; all of them are desirable for half-shaded places in the open border. 



CRINUM The tender species are not much grown indoors, but there 

 are several which are useful for the hardy border. One which gives 

 much satisfaction in Washington, and which is perfectly hardy, is named" 

 C. longifolium. The flowers are tinged with rose. There is a white- 

 flowered form. Nearly every flower will set seeds which are very large 

 and irregular in shape. They should be sown as soon as ripe, as after 

 falling to the ground a little moisture will cause them to germinate in a 

 few days. Sow the seeds 2 inches apart in a seed pan; keep in a frame, 

 and plant out without potting off in Spring. 



C. Powellii is a hybrid between C. longifolium and C. Moorei. It 

 thrives in Washington with slight protection in Winter. C. Moorei is 

 also hardy when planted in warm soils and slightly protected. In large 



