192 HOME FLORICULTURE 



flowering bulbs can afford to be without them. They 

 are simply magnificent. They are of the easiest cul- 

 ture. Their flowers remain a long time in perfection. 

 Be sure to order some of all the varieties recommended 

 as suitable for forcing. 



Lily of the Valley 



Many persons attempt to bring the Lily of the 

 Valley (Fig 48) into bloom in the house, and fail with 

 it because they treat it as they do the bulbs spoken 

 of above. The pips or crowns should always be fresh 

 ones, procured from reliable dealers who make sure 

 of obtaining the best stock on the market. Keep 

 them in a cold place until you are ready to force 

 them, and then put them in pots containing sphagnum 

 moss or sand, and place them, after watering them 

 well, where they will have as steady a heat as possible, 

 of seventy to seventy-five degrees. It is quite impor- 

 tant that the moss or sand should never be allowed to 

 get dry. Keep the plants in a semi-dark place until 

 their stems are two or three inches high. Then remove 

 to a lighter position in order to give the flowers a 

 chance to develop. This treatm.ent, it will be observed, 

 is hardly such as can be given in the ordinary living 

 room, therefore one ought not to depend wholly on 

 this one plant for winter flowers. A greenhouse is 

 the best place for it. 



Get your pots and your potting soil ready for your 

 bulbs as soon as you send off your order for them 

 and see to their planting as soon as they arrive. 

 Nothing injures a bulb more than to expose it to the 

 air and light for some time before potting. 



Freesia 



The Freesia is a most delightful little flower, in 

 form, color and fragrance, and it is unsurpassed for 



