12 



BULLETIN 962, LT, S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE, 



HANDLING PLANTS THAT HAVE FLOWERED IN THE FIELD. 



At digging time the early seedlings (fig. T) which have already 

 blossomed in the field should be separated from the others and the 

 stems cut off, but they can be potted like those which have not flowered 

 and made to flower again by Easter, thus giving one small and one 

 normal crop of flowers in 18 months from seed. The}^ require no 

 different treatment from those which have not flowered. However, 

 if the florist desires, he can plunge them outside or treat them in all 

 respects like imported bulbs. 



Fig. 6. — A group of seedlings of the Easter lily of the 191 'J progenj', selected from the 

 field in late autumn to show diversity in development. Photographed a few days 

 after they were potted from the field. All are of the same age. 



GROUPING SEEDLING STOCKS. 



As the bulbs are potted from the field it is possible to segregate 

 them into five or more groups. One group will be in full bud and 

 will blossom within 10 days or two weeks. Another can be made to 

 blossom for Thanksgiving, another for Christmas, another in Febru- 

 ary, and the last for Easter. The last group will include the most 

 backward of the plants in the field which have not flowered, together 

 with the early-flowering forms which are to blossom the second time. 

 Of course, by holding them at different temperatures, all except those 

 in bud, and possibly even those, can be made to blossom at the later 

 date. 



