The Foecixg of Hybrids. 143 



more liberally, and from this time the temperature grad- 

 ually raised to fifty-six or eight. From ten to twelve 

 weeks are required from the time the plants are started 

 until the first buds are ready for market. One thing 

 to be avoided in a crop of this kind is to have it mature 

 to any extent during Lent, but as these dates vary, each 

 grower must figure for himself, taking into account the 

 ripeness of the wood as well as the coolness, or other- 

 wise, of the fall. The blooming period can then be 

 advanced by a week, or retarded several at the option 

 of the operator, by either raising or lowering the tem- 

 perature of the house. Less risk attends this than other 

 methods, and it is well adapted to the want of those 

 who have a retail trade which will warrant them in de- 

 voting a small house to this purpose, but of course early 

 bloom cannot be obtained in this way. Growing hy- 

 brids on benches for early bloom is a trade in itself, and 

 requires not only experience but great skill and sound 

 judgment. Although I have tried this method to some 

 extent in years past, the markets of the west have not 

 as yet given the encouragement necessary for supplying 

 this class of stock, consequently I have not given the 

 time and study needed to render success assured in this 

 method. For this reason I give here the system recom- 

 mended by a prominent eastern grower, who has had 

 great success in this special line. 



The Hon. Jno. Burton, who has the reputation of be- 

 ing the best grower of hybrids about Philadelphia, thus 

 states his method of growing them on shallow benches : 



