INTRODUCTION 3 



differ from the hard wooded shrubs, so popular in the 

 earlier Victorian days, for fine specimens of such can by 

 no means be raised within a year, and professional 

 labour and extensive houses went as a rule hand in 

 hand with the better results. 



For cut flowers, many plants are available. The 

 brightest crimsons and scarlets, and the purest whites, 

 are often wisely chosen where a choice from many 

 varieties is to be had. The profusion of anemones, 

 paper white narcissus, mimosa, violets, etc. that arrive 

 in this country from the French markets naturally turns 

 the small grower, with a little plant-house, to devote it 

 to small pot material in which the flowers are useful on 

 the plant. 



The number of plants from which winter flowers may 

 be produced is indefinite. Very many subjects that one 

 sees before and after the dog-days, may also be had in 

 the dark days, if the grower has only space and heat 

 sufficient. Exceptions are certain subjects that require 

 for flowering a greater degree of light than is available 

 in our winter. Artificial light is as yet practically un- 

 available, but heat is, and fortunately the many plants 

 chiefly require the latter to develop their flowering 

 buds. 



It would, however, be a waste both of time and space 

 to grow some plants for winter flowers. As space 

 under glass soon becomes filled up, preference is given 

 to plants that either produce a long succession of flowers, 

 as in the case of several begonias, the Javanese rhodo- 

 dendrons. Cyclamen, Primula sinensis, calanthes, etc., or 

 those producing individual long lasting flowers, as 

 cypripediums and various other orchids. Nowadays the 

 word retardation is used in reference to the roots, bulbs, 

 etc., of hardy spring flowering plants that from late winter 

 to autumn are subjected to a low temperature. Released 

 from torpor by moisture and greenhouse heat, flowers 



