FORCED FLOWERS 93 



been obtained too late in the season for securing good 

 results by slow and surer ways. 



When expanded, the flowers of forced bulbs and 

 other plants remain longer in perfection if kept in a 

 temperature of 50 to $^ degrees, and they may be 

 put to any use, arranged in moss with other flowers, 

 the soil being shaken off the roots, etc. etc. 



Many forced bulbs require neat stakes. 



When large quantities of cut flowers are required, it 

 is best to plant the bulbs thickly together in boxes, say, 

 18x12x4 inches in size. 



The principal advantages gained by the use of refri- 

 gerated plants is that flowers are procurable when 

 otherwise they could not possibly be so, require less 

 heat to produce, are much quicker in growth, start 

 away at once, and flower simultaneously. 



Retarded plants should be ordered to arrive on 

 the day they are wished for potting, and this will 

 occur every fortnight if a large and extended display is 

 required. When unpacked, give them a thorough 

 soaking of water, and if it is not possible to pot at once, 

 lay in a damp, cool, dark place, and cover over with a 

 mat. 



The following are the principal plants used for winter 

 forcing. When retarded material is useful, it is so stated. 



Roman Hyacinths 



A batch of the bulbs should be potted every three 

 weeks from August to November, placing three large 

 bulbs in a 4-inch pot. Those potted in August flower 

 in November, and so on. If the bulbs tend to flower 

 too early, keep the plants in a cool greenhouse near the 

 glass. If kept cool they last a month in flower. Similar 

 but later are the pretty French, with straw-coloured 

 flowers, and the pink and white Italian hyacinth. These 



