On Forcing. 147 



CHAPTER XI. 



On Forcing. 



OF all flowers induced to blossom amid the chills of Winter there is perhaps none 

 which excites so much interest as the Rose. And as this branch of culture is 

 now so generally practised, it seems to demand more than a passing notice. 



The art of forcing consists in accelerating the period of growth and flowering of 

 plants by means of artificial heat. In practising it we change their seasons, inducing 

 them to perform certain functions at other seasons than those at which they naturally 

 perform them. With Roses, Spring and Summer is the natural period of growth, 

 Summer and Autumn the period of flowering, Autumn the period of maturation, and 

 Winter that of repose. But suppose we commence forcing at Christmas, our Winter 

 becomes their Spring, our Spring their Summer, our Summer their Autumn, and our 

 Autumn their season of rest. Thus, in forcing, although we change all the seasons we 

 take care not to annul any one of them or we sacrifice the health of the plants. And 

 these changes should be brought about gradually. The first year the plants are 

 forced they should be advanced steadily, and should in no case be brought to flower 

 earlier than the middle of March. 



In the construction of the forcing-house, every chance of increasing the quantity 

 of light should be accepted, remembering that in their artificial Spring the plants 

 will not have the advantage of so long or powerful a sunlight as in the natural one. 



A house has been built here recently for the express purpose of growing Roses in 

 pots to bloom in the Spring of the year. The ground plan and elevation of this 

 house are shown in Figs. 41 and 42. Measured from the inside it is fifty feet long 

 and eighteen feet wide. It has a span-roof, facing east and west, with glass ends, and 

 upright sashes at both sides. It would be well if the top lights were moveable that air 

 might be given as required ; and it is beneficial to substitute canvas for glass in the 

 Summer season. This house was built for Pot-Roses only ; but if flowers are not 

 wanted before March or April we think a desirable point would be gained by omitting 

 the stages on which the pots are placed, and forming in their place a bed of good soil, 



