FORCED FLOWERS 95 



if they incline to dwarfness cover each with an inverted 

 pot. Valley lilies unretarded and forced in autumn 

 often become ^^blind," hence the great value of retarded 

 material. 



Tulips 



are ever bright and useful, although the Due Van Thols 

 of early forcing-houses are dumpy and poor compared 

 with the stately graces of May-day Beauty. 



A favourable point is their general lack of fragrance, 

 thus they may be used where heavy scents tire one. 

 In September procure the bulbs, and pot those of the 

 variously coloured Due Van Thol section required for 

 December flowering. After their removal from the 

 plunging material, 50 to 6^ degrees suits well; they are 

 best standing on a shelf near the glass and light. Besides 

 the Thol section, there are many other fine kinds which 

 may be had early in flower. Their names occur in 

 catalogues. 



Narcissus 



These require tulip treatment, and should be kept in 

 a cool house, and brought on in warmth as required. 

 Those mostly used for the earliest work are Paper 

 White, Double Roman, Early Snowflake, these being 

 varieties of the polyanthus or bunch-flowered Narcissus 

 Tazetta. Many fine trumpets may also be used, and the 

 quaint hoop petticoats should not be forgotten. 



^ Dutch Hyacinths 



The different varieties vary somewhat in the size of 

 their bulb. They do not readily force so early as do 

 the smaller Roman variety. After potting them in 

 September, it is a good plan to plunge them in ashes in a 

 south frame, if one can be spared. This gives every 



