220 COMMERCIAL VALUE OF FLOWERS 



earlier supplies. If pots or boxes are used, empty ones 

 of similar size may be inverted over them to keep the 

 crown dark. This is considered beneficial in assisting 

 to start them into growth. 



It is important that the soil be placed as lightly as 

 possible around the roots, in order that the heat may 

 pass through readily. Water of the same temperature 

 should be given to keep the whole well moistened. The 

 very earliest batch sometimes fails ; but if the crowns are 

 good, and proper attention is given in forcing, each of the 

 later ones may be relied upon to produce flowers. 



Grown in pots, and forced into flower early in the 

 spring, the lily-of-the-valley constitutes an invaluable 

 subject for decoration. The natural flowering season is 

 May. By obtaining a plentiful supply of crowns, and 

 forcing carefully, the season may commence in January, 

 and a succession of flowers be secured thenceforth until 

 June. 



