2 4 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



the same general meaning had been attached to the term 

 * Lilies of the Field * which has, by common consent, been 

 ascribed to the parallel phrase ' Fowls of the Air,' while 

 the passage itself would have gained in force and dignity 

 by being kept clear from botanical disquisitions." 



The flowers of the Lily of the Valley are used during 

 the winter months in immense quantities, New York city 

 alone probably using a million, the average price of which 

 is about five cents each, so that for this flower alone 

 $50,000 are annually paid by the bouquet makers to the 

 florist, the consumer paying, no doubt, one-third more. 

 The Lily of the Valley is nearly all imported from 

 Germany and France, usually in single crowns or 

 " pips." 



FORCING. 



The method of culture is to place these very thickly 

 together in shallow boxes, as soon as received in Novem- 

 ber, placing them in a cold frame, or in the open ground, 

 covering them up so that they do not get frozen. It is a 

 popular belief that they are benefited by being frozen ; 

 but this is a mistake. They must be kept at the low tem- 

 perature to be found usually in a cold frame or when 

 covered up in the open ground, which is usually from 35 

 to 40 ; but they gain no advantage by being even 

 slightly frozen, and may be seriously hurt by severe 

 freezing. They should remain in this condition at least 

 four weeks before they are brought in to force, 

 which should be done gradually, beginning at 50 and 

 running up to 65 or 70. If taken in every few weeks, 

 a succession may be kept up from January until May. 

 In fact, the flowers are now to be had all the year round, 

 as some growers find it sufficientlv profitable to keep the 

 roots in refrigerators, and, thus retarded, they are forced 



