72 FLOWERS 



have been brought about are those represented by the 

 processes of forcing, and also retarding, flowers, bulbs, 

 plants, and vegetables, so that their vital forces may be 

 either hastened or held in suspense, as it were, just as 

 may suit the convenience of the grower and the exigen- 

 cies of the market. The forcing is done, not merely by the 

 ordinary use of heat in glass-houses, but by the application 

 of anaesthetics. It was Dr. Johannsen, professor at the 

 Danish High School of Agriculture, who, as the result 

 of researches begun by him in 1890, first discovered the 

 service that ether might render in the forcing of plants. 

 I will not attempt to enter upon any scientific exposition 

 in regard to this curious process, but, in effect, the 

 theory, as I understand it, is : That plants require a 

 certain period of ' sleep '; that the application of anaes- 

 thetics enables them to get through that period sooner 

 than they would otherwise do ; and that, when it is 

 over, they develop and perfect their vital forces much 

 earlier, and at a greatly accelerated rate of progress. 

 Certain it is that in Germany lilacs which had been 

 first treated with ether were in full flower within 

 eighteen days of their removal to the greenhouse, and a 

 substantial business on these lines has been developed 

 in Hamburg, whence the forced lilacs are now sent all 

 over Germany. Under the alternative retarding pro- 

 cess the plants or bulbs are placed in cool chambers, 

 where the temperature is such as to keep them in an 

 absolutely passive condition so long as they remain 

 there, the further growth beginning again whenever, on 

 their removal, the period of suspended animation is 

 concluded. By one or the other process, therefore, 

 time and season are practically annihilated, and lilacs 

 or lilies can be put on the market any day of the year, 

 as they are wanted, without regard for that now anti- 

 quated work of reference the almanac. 



