FORCED FLOWERS 99 



on long spikes, and are not particularly beautiful as pot 

 plants. If the spikes run against the glass, they may be 

 bent over and tied down. The bulbs of the tall African 

 are obtainable in September, those of the dwarf Pearl 

 in December. For January flowers procure the former 

 as soon as possible, pot, and plunge, removing in a few 

 weeks to a moist temperature of 65 to 70 degrees, in 

 which they flower well. Tuberoses have not the grace 

 of daffodils and valley lilies, or Roman hyacinths, but 

 are good substitutes for gardenias or Stephanotis. The 

 name is tu-ber-ose, not tube-rose. 



' Musk 



This delightful little plant, that carpets the ground 

 beneath North American forests, should always be repre- 

 sented in the winter greenhouse. Batches should be 

 potted every few weeks from October onwards, and 

 with a moist heat soon come away. 



Shrubs 



Shrubs, for forcing, should be well ''set" with 

 flower buds. These are readily distinguished from the 

 mere leaf buds by their greater plumpness. 



Several retarded shrubs are obtainable. Among them. 

 Azalea mollis. Treat as retarded bulbs, but give 

 light after the buds swell. It comes in flower some six 

 weeks after potting and remains several weeks in 

 beauty. 



Large plants of lilacs grown for cut flowers may be 

 taken up from the open ground and placed in a moist 

 temperature of 60 to 70 degrees, syringing freely, 

 and covering the roots with warm leaves. Start in the 

 middle of October for flowers at Christmas week. The 

 flowers of coloured varieties become much paler in such 

 forced plants — often white, in fact. Although when 



