HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND BULBS FOR FORCING. 



625 



quired for use in the winter, each plant is root-pruned, so 

 that it will go into a 7- or 8-inch pot. This root-pruning 

 is also a great aid to ripening. The holes made by the 



Fig. 753.— Viburnum plicatum. 



spade are not filled in, the object being to allow both sun 

 and air to get to the roots. In September they are potted 

 and plunged until wanted. When required for Christmas, 

 they are put into a dark house having a temperature of 

 70° to 85°, and kept well syringed; the heat and darkness 

 blanches any coloured varieties. When required in spring, 

 less heat is given, though a high temperature is often re- 

 sorted to to get flowers quickly. 



After flowering, the plants are cut back to two or 

 three eyes and stood in a cool house to break. When all 

 danger of frost is gone, they are planted in the nursery 

 and rested for at least a year. Those which have been 

 subjected to great heat require two years. While in the 

 nursery all weak wood and suckers are pruned away, a 

 few strong shoots only being allowed to remain. By 

 growing them on, large plants may be obtained carrying 

 thirty or forty heads of flowers each. Small plants bearing 

 four or five heads of flowers are sometimes grown in 5 -inch 

 pots by grafting the varieties on Ligustrum, but the stock 

 and scion do not suit each other. The varieties used are 

 Charles X., Marie Legray, Rubra de Marly, Souv. de L. 

 Spath, President Grevy, Madame Lemoine, and Alphonse 

 Lavallee. 



S. persica, the Persian Lilac, may be forced in an inter- 

 mediate temperature, and may be used two years in suc- 

 cession. 



Viburnum Opulus, the Snowball Tree, is easily forced, 

 but if great heat be used the flower-stalks are weak and 

 easily broken. V. macrocephalum has immense heads of 

 flowers; V. Tinus, the Laurustinus, may be had in flower 

 from Christmas onwards. V. tomentosum plicatum (fig. 

 753) has dense heads of pure-white flowers, and is one of 

 the best. All should be rested alternate years. 



Wistaria chinensis (fig. 754) is particularly pleasing 

 when forced early. Plants for the purpose should be 

 established in pots two years before they are forced. 



Zenobia speciosa and its variety pulverulenta pro- 

 Vol. I. 



duce waxy-white flowers freely, and are valuable in the 

 greenhouse in late spring. 



[W. D.] 



CHAPTER XXXVIII. 



HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND BULBS FOR 

 FORCING. 



The preparation of bulbs and herbaceous 

 plants for forcing is similar to that already 

 described for shrubs. They must be treated in 

 such a manner as to induce early growth and 

 ripening the season before they are forced. 

 This is especially the case with such plants as 

 Carnations, Marguerites, and Mignonette, the 

 early preparation of which, rather than excessive 

 forcing, ensures a good supply of bloom during 

 the winter and early spring. Deciduous herbs 

 and bulbous plants also, if planted early, ripen 

 earlier in the autumn, and make the best 

 material for growing in pots. If not thoroughly 

 ripened before being restarted they will pro- 

 bably prove a failure. Many plants may be 

 placed in a shady or even a dark position, and 

 when well started placed where they will re- 

 ceive all the sun and light possible. 



Allium neapolitanum. — This is extensively grown 

 for market, the large terminal clusters of white flowers 

 being very useful. It requires little skill. Early potted 

 bulbs may be started in an intermediate temperature, 

 and will require little forcing to have them in flower early 

 in the year. 



Chionodoxa Lucilice. — This may be grown in pots 

 for winter flowering, a sunny position in a cool greenhouse 

 suiting it well. The clear-blue flowers are very effective. 



Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger). — The variety 

 known as maximus is the best for pots or for cutting. 

 The clumps should be potted as they are taken from the 

 ground. If the weather is mild the protection of a frame 

 will be sufficient until the flowers begin to throw up, 

 when they may be removed to a warm house, shaded, 

 and liberally supplied with water. There are few flowers 

 more valued at Christmas-time. It is sometimes difficult 

 to get good stock for forcing. Those that have been used 

 for indoors should have care after they have done flower- 

 ing, and if divided up carefully, taking care not to damage 

 the points of the roots, and planted in deep loamy ground, 

 they will make good stock; the crowns must be kept well 

 below the surface when planting. 



Crocus. — Select strong bulbs and pot as early as 

 possible. Any ordinary potting compost may be used. 

 They may be placed outside, and covered with fibre- 

 refuse or cinders until they are rooted through, when they 

 may be given a little heat to start them. Liquid manure 

 gives strength and colour to the flowers. 



Dielytra. — Plants intended for forcing should be taken 

 up in the autumn, potted, and kept in a cold frame until 

 required for starting. The first batch may be put into 

 warmth in January, under a stage in an intermediate 

 house being a suitable place. A covering of fibre-refuse 

 will serve to keep them moist and dark. "When the 

 growths show through the fibre the plants may be moved 



40 



