Structural Characteristics 127 



in Chapter V, When to Plant in Chapter VI, How to 

 Plant in same Chapter). 



Bloom-buds usually begin forming about the close 

 of summer and their development depends largely on 

 ensuing weather conditions. A protracted drought, 

 especially if followed by an unusually early severe 

 freeze, is likely to result in few bloom-stems the next 

 year. Occasionalh", but very rarely, a very severe 

 late freeze kills the rudimentary stalks, especially of 

 the very early blooming varieties, when they are only 

 an inch or so in length and entirely concealed in the 

 enfolding leaves. See Fig. XLV and accompanying 

 explanation, under Where to Plant in Chapter VI. 



Sometimes a rhizome produces a flower-stem the 

 same or the next year after planting, and then, al- 

 though apparently in good condition, does not bloom 

 the following year. The planter sometimes regards 

 this as evidence that the plant has become worthless. 

 The explanation probably is, if the weather conditions 

 were favorable (see paragraph next above), that the 

 plant was not strong enough the first year of blooming 

 to develop the flower bud formed the previous year 

 and also to form a new one for the next year; but 

 it will probably bloom regularly thereafter. 



The flower-stems of the different varieties, exclusive 

 of the intermediates, vary in height from about 

 twenty inches (as, Kochi) to four feet or more (as, 

 Camelot, Mme. Cheri, Nine Wells, Ring Dove). 

 Ricardi Fonce, as described by its originator (Denis), 

 attains a height of fifty-eight to sixty-six inches, and 

 Conquistador, as, described by its originator (Mohr), 



