(GLOSSARY OF TERMS, ETC. 191 



for a considerable time. The temperature of the freezing- 

 chamber is usually maintained at 90 deg. below zero. During 

 the period of storage growth is at Test. It is possible by this 

 means to have such lilies as Harrisii, etc., in flower at any 

 season of the year. Ordinary bulbs, as tulips, narcissi, and 

 hyacinths, are not amenable to this treatment. Bulbs of Lilium 

 Harrisii that have been retarded i.e., prevented making 

 growth in their natural season will, in eight weeks after 

 removal from the refrigerating chamber, be in full flower. No 

 high temperature is required f9r growing retarded bulbs. 

 Simply pot the bulbs, place them in a temperature of 40 deg. to 

 50 deg., and they will start into growth at once. They may 

 even be started in a cold house to flower in ten weeks' time. 

 Retarded bulbs are sold by most dealers. 



"Rose" Tulip A term applied to "rectified" tulips that 

 have the ground colour of their flowers of a pure white marked 

 with another colour, as rose, pink, scarlet, or crimson. 



"Sand." The coarse silver sand obtained from Bedfordshire 

 is the best for bulb growing. Sea sand, if well washed and 

 exposed to the air for a time to get rid of the excess of saline 

 matter, will also do well for bulbs. 



"Self" Tulip. A term applied to seedling or "mother" 

 tulips, which have their blooms of one colour only. 



"Spawn." A term applied to th-3 young corms which form 

 on the roots of gladioli, and which, if removed, planted, and 

 grown on, will in four or five years make flowering corms. 



" Star " Narcissi. A term applied to those forms of narcissi 

 which have narrow, radiating perianth segments, as the N. 

 Leedsii type. 



" Sterilising the Soil." A term used to signify the destruction 

 of all animal and vegetable life in loam, leaf-mould, or manure 

 used for potting or seed sowing. The simplest way is to spread 

 the material out thinly, then apply boiling water through a fine 

 rosed can in sufficient quantity to just saturate it. This will 

 kill every weed seed, soil grub, or fungi, and do no harm to the 

 fertility of the soil. t Immediately after applying the water 

 throw the material into a heap, and use a day or so after- 

 wards. 



" Top-dressing." A term applied to the practice of adding 

 additional compost to pot-grown bulbs, as lilies, for example. 

 The compost used for this purpose is usually a trifle richer 

 than is employed for potting. Many kinds of 'bulbs, too, that 

 do not require an annual repotting are benefited by top- 

 dressing. In this case the old surface mould is removed to the 

 depth of an inch or more and replaced by fresh compost. 



"Tuber." See Chapter I., p. 12. 



