392 THE FRUIT GARDEN 



tomatoes. The grower who forces hard is not able to do this. But we repeat 

 that the advantage of either system rests entirely with the character of the 

 summer which follows. So if the grower has a fair-sized establishment, he 

 usually plants part under one system and part under the other, and this is by 

 far the safest plan. 



OTHER CROPS 



The Channel Island market-grower, though he goes in most strongly for 

 fruit and vegetables in demand on the British markets, will generally be found 

 to have some other crop under his care, such as flowers. These are found to 

 bring in money in the dull season when there is no fruit for sale. This season 

 is from the late autumn to winter and early spring. He therefore grows 

 arum lilies, freesias, narcissi, and some foliage plants, as asparagus, and in some 

 instances smilax, which, under good culture, may be regarded as a profitable 

 plant. Smilax in pots is frequently made to follow an early tomato crop. 



Arum lilies are also largely grown to follow the tomatoes. Formerly 

 very good profits were made with this plant, but now many more growers have 

 taken up the culture, and the prices are lower and the profits smaller. Some 

 growers approve the drying-ofF system, giving the plants a rest, while others 

 prefer to keep the plants growing the whole season through. But even in the 

 latter case the plants do receive a rest, though it be as a severe check, for, when 

 the spring comes and prices fall, the plants are turned out into the open air 

 while in flower and bud. It is no unusual sight to see such lots standing out- 

 side the greenhouses making a strong effort to adapt themselves to circum- 

 stances. It is probably due to this treatment that we hear frequent complaints 

 of the scarcity of blooms the season following. 



Freesias are well and largely grown ; for forcing purposes they are usually 

 planted in wooden boxes or square earthenware pans. They require to be 

 planted early in the summer, placed outside, and induced to start so as to secure 

 short, broad foliage by the autumn. When they are well developed they are 

 placed under glass, and after a week or two given slight heat. They can thus 

 be had in bloom early in the new year. Freesias can also be planted near the 

 front lights of lean-to and span-roof greenhouses beneath the vines, and if care 

 is taken with the watering they bloom well. 



Narcissi are chiefly grown in boxes, planted early in the summer, kept 

 outside till thoroughly well rooted, then placed under glass and forced according 

 to circumstances. This is a branch of flower culture which the Channel 

 Island grower will probably increase considerably in the near future. 



Spanish irises are also grown very largely ; some are boxed and forced, 

 others are planted on the floors, mostly of cold {i.e. unheated) grape-houses. 

 The profits on irises are very variable. The essential thing is to have distinct 

 colours and bulbs which will yield a large percentage of flowers, otherwise a 

 loss is certain. 



Chrysanthemums of varieties suited to market purposes are also largely 

 grown, some entirely in the open air ; others in the open are lifted in the 



