FLOWER GARDEN TRIALS AND TROUBLES 77 



Lettuce, and Calceolarias, protected Strawberries intended for 

 forcing, hardened off bedding plants, and still had a good crop of 

 summer Cucumbers out of the same pit, and with very little trouble 

 indeed. Half hardy and deciduous ferns, and plants intended for 

 forcing, may be wintered therein with safety by simply throwing a 

 few mats over the lights at night and during sharp weather ; while 

 in the early spring a crop of early Potatoes and Radishes may be 

 had, and these may be got out early enough for growing Cucumbers 

 and for ordinary propagating purposes. For. raising seeds not re- 

 quiring bottom heat I have found them of the greatest service in 

 fact, a cold frame need never be empty at any period of the year. 

 From March until the end of May they may be occupied in harden- 

 ing off Celery, Dahlias and other bedding plants, and from that 

 time until the month of September by crops of Cucumbers and 

 Melons, and in bringing on such subjects as Fuchsias, Petunias, 

 Pelargoniums, Balsams, etc. ; from September till spring comes 

 round again they may be filled with Cauliflowers^ Calceolarias, and 

 Strawberries that are intended for forcing purposes, and may be used 

 for protecting winter salads, or anything of a half hardy nature. 



Bulbs for Early Flowering 



Q. Can you tell me which are the most suitable bulbs for forcing 

 into bloom quite early, so as to have flowers to cut, say, in January. 

 E. T. W., Hendon. 



A. For ease in culture and forcing into flower the amateur will 

 find Roman Hyacinths and the Paper White Narcissi the best bulbs 

 to secure. Pot in August and September. Bunch flowered Narcissi 

 are useful when good bulbs are secured, but we have never found 

 them give such satisfaction in a general way as do the Paper Whites. 

 Place Roman Hyacinths as close together as they will go in 5- to 6-inch 

 pots, and the Narcissi may well go into those 7 and 8 inches in diame- 

 ter. Boxes can, of course, be used for both kinds of bulb, but these 

 are more suitable for the large grower than the amateur with 

 perhaps, one small house and a frame or two. Early Tulips of the 

 Van Thol section may be secured and potted in September ; these 

 are small and not in such favour as are the larger flowering sorts, 

 but they are bright and, on account of their early flowering tendency, 

 extremely useful. 



Montbretias not Flowering 



Q. I cannot understand how it is that my Montbretias do not 

 bloom regularly. They are in good soil. Amateur, Southampton. 



