BOCVARDIAS. 195 



per hundred, when cut with long stems ; for short stems, 

 about half the price. Even at these low prices they are a 

 fairly profitable crop, as the bulk of the flowers is given 

 previous to the middle of February, when the forced 

 plants, being of but little use, are usually thrown out to 

 make room for other plants. Although the Carnation 

 is nearly a hardy plant and may be kept anywhere in 

 winter in a cold greenhouse, or pit even if occasionally 

 slightly frozen, yet it is also susceptible of being forced 

 freely. We usually keep our houses, when we are forc- 

 ing for flowers, at from fifty to sixty degrees at night, 

 with ten degrees higher in day-time. 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



BOUVARDIAS, STEVIAS, EUPATORIUMS, HELIO- 

 TROPES, P01NSETTIA, AND OTHER WINTER- 

 FLOWERING PLANTS. 



BOUVARDIAS 



Are propagated by pieces of the roots, in April, or by 

 cuttings, during the summer months (see Propagation), 

 and when these, from the root cuttings, have thrown up 

 a growth of two or three inches they are potted in two- 

 inch pots and planted out in the open ground at a dis- 

 tance of nine or ten inches apart, in the latter part of May. 



The plants that have been put out in the open ground 

 in May will have grown to a fine, bushy form by Septem- 

 ber 1st, if due attention has been given to nipping off the 

 tops every two weeks during summer. By this date they 

 should be taken up and potted, not later, as the 

 Bouvardia requires warm weather to form roots; if 

 possible, they should be lifted with balls of earth adher- 



