BULBOUS PLANTS 243 



Forcing Bulbs. Such bulbs as Tulips, Hyacinths (Roman) 

 and Narcissus, are put in shallow boxes for forcing. The bulbs are 

 inserted quite close together, if of the poorer grades; but if they are 

 the largest sizes a little more room should be allowed for the develop- 

 ment of the offsets. The soil used is generally old material from 

 benches in which Roses or Carnations have been growing. In pre- 

 paring bulbs for forcing the principal point to be borne in mind is 

 that they must make roots before being put in heat. A place should 

 be set apart for the boxes, where they may be covered with about 

 8 inches of sifted ashes. On the approach of freezing weather the 

 ashes may be kept in a condition so that the boxes may be removed 

 when wanted, by covering with rough stable litter; or, when grown 

 in large quantities, a bulb house should be provided. In this struc- 

 ture light should be excluded and the roof thick enough to keep out 

 frost. In a well-regulated house the bulbs remain in fine condition. 

 They may be kept almost dormant for several weeks and be forced 

 into bloom in less time than those from the open ground. Paper 

 White Narcissus and Roman Hyacinths may easily be had in 

 bloom in November, and Due Van Thol Tulips by Christmas; but 

 to insure these results early rooting must be looked after. 



ACHIMENES. Greenhouse bulbous plants, much like Glox- 

 inias. Grown for flower in Spring and early Summer. 



Culture. Very easy. The usual method of cultivation is to 

 start the rhizomes from the end of February till the end of April 

 to give a succession of bloom. When the plants have made two 

 inches of growth they are placed one by one in a wide, shallow pan 

 about two inches apart each way, each growth being staked before 

 plants show bloom. This method means a great amount of labor. 

 It seems preferable to start the rhizomes in their last season's flower- 

 ing pans; after making a little headway divide into three or more 

 equal parts and put into their flowering pans without supports. The 

 specimens are not so symmetrical as those which are staked, but 

 they give a satisfactory quantity of bloom and are most useful for 

 the conservatory during the Summer months. For growing in sus- 

 pended baskets in the greenhouse the older kinds are well suited. 

 Use wire baskets, and with started plants build them in from the 

 bottom upward sd that the sides will be clothed with them. The 

 Achimenes do not need a very warm place for storage. During 

 their resting season clip off the stems to within an inch or two of the 

 pot instead of wrenching them out, as the rhizomes are easily torn 

 out with them. Stand the receptacles on their sides in a dry part of 

 a cold house. No water will be required till Spring. 



