36 CIRCULAR 2 7S, U.S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



single heads or after the center has become closed with petals in 

 double sorts; corymbs, such as candytuft, are usually best when cut 

 after three fourths of the lower flowers are opened; those described 

 as thyrses or corymbose cymes, such as the lilac, should be cut when 

 about two thirds of the determinate branches are developed ; cymose 

 clusters, such as babysbreath, should be cut after a few of the 

 terminal flowers have developed. 



FLORISTS' GREENS 



Fern asparagus (Asparagus plumosus) and smilax asparagus (A. 

 asparagoides) are usually shipped in crates. The turnover of these 

 greens is rapid and shipments are arranged so that storage for 

 longer than 3 or 4 days is usually unnecessary, but they may be 

 kept in the case for 7 to 10 days at 40° to 45° F. The sprays of A. 

 plinnosus are tied in bunches of various sizes. Smilax is packed in 

 the crates in various lengths or " strings." The commercial popu- 

 larity of A. sprengeri has declined to a point where it is produced 

 and used chiefly by small retail growers. 



Drooping leucothoe (Leucothoe catesbaei) and mountain-laurel 

 (Kalmia tatifolia) sprays may be held at 32° to 40° F. for 3 to 6 

 weeks in good condition. They are usually tied in bunches and kept 

 standing in containers of water. 



Galax (Galax aphylla), groundpine (Lycopodium sp.), dagger 

 ferns, common woodferns and various species including Dryop- 

 teris intermedia, packed in crates, may be held at 32° to 45° F., 

 depending on the length of time it is desired to keep them. At 32° 

 they may be expected to keep 3 to 4 months, whereas at 45° they 

 may be kept for but 2 to 3 weeks in good condition. They are 

 not put in water, but, if stored loose they are kept moist by occa- 

 sional sprinklings. If held in wooden cases or packed in such a 

 way as to prevent excessive drying out by direct air currents, no 

 sprinkling is necessary. Galax is usually tied in bunches of 25 : the 

 ferns are tied in lots of 50, but both are customarily sold by the hun- 

 dred. Those who make a business of gathering the greens in this 

 group sometimes store them in coldframes, covering them with about 

 6 inches of some material such as sphagnum moss or leaves, and 

 shading or using sash as the weather demands. Handled in this way, 

 shipments can be made at any time. Others who might be termed 

 ' ; brokers " have many employees gathering galax and ferns, and store 

 their entire holdings in cold-storage warehouses; this is the method 

 commonly employed for storage and it usually gives satisfaction. 



Holly sprays or wreaths can usually be held satisfactorily for 

 approximately 1 month at a temperature of 32° F. and a relative 

 humidity of about 80 percent. 



RHIZOMES, TUBERS, AND CORMS 



Lily-of-the-valley pips or crowns may be held in cold-storage 

 warehouses at a temperature range of 25° to 28° F. (30) for 15 to 17 

 months, although after about 12 months increasing deterioration in 

 quality becomes noticeable. The pips are tied in bundles of 25 with 

 string or willow ties and are packed in wooden cases of various sizes 

 containing from 250 to 2,500 pips. 



