494 HORTICULTURE, FORESTRY, FLORICULTURE 



oughly rooted, which may take from eight to ten weeks ; if the bulbs 

 are well watered before being placed away in the cellar, they will not 

 require to be watered again until they are brought up to the light in 

 the dwelling house. They may then be watered and treated like other 

 house plants. It is imperative for the success of either Tulips, Nar- 

 cissuses or Hyacinths, that they be well rooted in the pots before being 

 brought into the heat ; if they are insufficiently rooted failure will re- 

 sult. To be in proper condition to force the pots should be matted 

 around with roots. Many growers prefer to place the bulbs after be- 

 ing potted in the cold frame and cover them down with from twelve 

 to fifteen inches of ashes or sand. They are kept in this position until 

 wanted for forcing, when they are brought into the greenhouse in 

 quantities according to the demand for them; a number being re- 

 moved each week in order that a succession of blooms may be kept up 

 in the greenhouse. 



The following are among the best bulbs suitable for winter 

 bloom: Hyacinths (Dutch), various colors; Hyacinths, Early White 

 Roman ; Narcissus, Princeps, Trumpet Major Horsfieldii, Von Sion, 

 Paper White and Poeticus ; Tulips, in great assortment, single varie- 

 ties being the best suited for early forcing; Crocus, in assortment; 

 Freesia, Refracta Alba and Purity. (N. H. E. S. P.-B. 8.) 



VOLATILE OIL AND PERFUMERY PLANTS. 



Hosts of wild aromatic plants are found growing in all sections 

 of the country, many possessing exceedingly fine fragrance and 

 many, on the other hand, possessing odors less attractive but never- 

 theless possibly of value. These odorous plants will in most cases 

 produce volatile oils which may contain constituents of value, not 

 only in the perfumery trade but also in the arts and medicine. A 

 systematic canvass of the flora of the United States, with special at- 

 tention to those plants which possess an aroma, and a trial distillation 

 of the same, followed by a careful, detailed chemical examination of 

 the oils, will no doubt bring to light new oils, the value of which 

 may be determined from the nature of the constituents identified in 

 them. Several new volatile oils have been distilled which have been 

 shown by chemical analysis to contain highly valuable constituents. 



Various other plants deserving mention, besides those already 

 cultivated and those growing wild which possess volatile products of 

 value to the perfumer and confectioner, are the rose, lavender, rose 

 geranium, rosemary, thyme, sweet basil, summer savory, and sweet 

 marjoram, and the umbelliferous seeds (caraway, anise, fennel, and 

 coriander) . The plants of the first general class, though not native 

 to this country, have been introduced and grown as garden plants, 

 luxuriant growth and excellent aromas usually being obtained. 



The umbelliferous plants mentioned have also been largely 

 grown, although only on a garden scale, usually for their seeds, which 

 possess considerable value to the housewife and to the confectioner 

 for flavoring or condimental purposes. The distillation of the oils 

 from these seeds has been xery largely for experimental purposes 

 only. 



