BULBS FOE WINTER FLOWERS. 175 



burned or rusted, together with an unusual tendency in 

 the plant to drop its leaves. There is, I think, no 

 remedy for this root trouble. It is, I think, a conse- 

 quence rather than a cause of disease a consequence of 

 lessened vitality in the plant, brought about by over 

 propagation, or other debilitating causes. 



CHAPTER XXXV. 

 BULBS FOR WINTER FLOWERS. 



Next in importance to Roses, come the various kinds 

 of bulbs that are now forced during the winter and spring 

 months for early flowers. Immense quantities are im- 

 ported annually for this purpose, quite a number of florists 

 about New York, Boston, and Philadelphia, use upwards 

 of a hundred thousand bulbs annually, two or three in 

 New York growing now upwards of half a million each 

 year. With few exceptions, all these bulbs are imported ; 

 they are of little use after being forced, and we find by 

 experience, that (with the exception of Lilies), it is more 

 profitable to import each year than to attempt to grow 

 bulbs, that have been used for forcing, into good con- 

 dition again. 



The bulbs used for forcing are : Roman Hyacinths, 

 Paper White Narcissus, Early Roman Narcissus, Single 

 Tulips, Lily of the Valley, Lilies and Daffodils, Freesia 

 (Freesia refracta alba), Tuberoses and Callas. A few 

 illustrations are given of the flowers of the different bulbs, 

 to give our readers who are not familiar with them, 

 some idea what they are. 



Roman Hyacinths, Narcissus, Daffodils and Tulips, 

 are usually received by the middle or end of August, and 

 they should at once be placed in the pots or boxes in which 



