FORCING. 31 



nificent sight, and at otlier seasons it would require 

 very little care. 



FORCING. 



Rhododendrons are very easily forced into bloom, 

 and add greatly to the attractions of the green- 

 house. 



Any varieties may be forced, although a selection 

 of the earlier blooming kinds would give those best 

 adapted for the purpose. The plants for forcing 

 should be selected in November from those best set 

 with flower-buds : they should be carefully potted 

 and removed to a cool, light cellar, where they should 

 be kept until the first of January, receiving only 

 sufficient water to keep the soil from drying up. 



About the first of the year they should be gradu- 

 ally introduced into heat, and given a position near 

 the glass. Water should be freely administered, but 

 never allowed to stand around the roots. In a few 

 weeks the buds will begin to swell, and the plants 

 will rapidly come into bloom. 



After flowering, the growth of the young shoots 

 should be encouraged, keeping the plants as near the 

 glass as possible to prevent them from becoming 

 drawn. After all danger of frost has passed, the 

 plants may be replanted in the bed from whence 

 they were taken. 



The same plants cannot be forced for two succes- 

 sive years, as they usually fail to set many flower- 

 buds the second year; but a hundred plants will 

 always supply plenty for annual forcing. 



