ON FORCING. 



935 



Although the Lily of the Valley can scarcely be termed a 

 bulbous plant, it is so well known and highly appreciated that 

 it is practically indispensable. To have this flower first-rate it 

 is essential that vigorous crowns be selected, and for that reason 

 a bed or portion of a bed of these plants should be taken 

 up every autumn or winter, all the finest crowns selected and 

 laid in soil until wanted, or, better still, potted or put in 

 boxes at once, and all the smaller crowns replanted in rich 

 soil about 3in. or 4in. apart in a sunny position. In two 

 years a splendid lot of crowns will be ready for forcing. The 

 large crowns, if potted or boxed as suggested, may remain 

 outside until the middle of November, when the first batch 

 should be placed in heat, covering the crowns with inverted 

 pots or boxes to exclude light ; this will cause them to throw 

 up both foliage and flowers more freely. When the new 

 growth is 2in. or 3in. high, light should be gradually admitted, 

 until finally the covers are removed altogether. If successional 

 quantities of plants are placed in heat at weekly or fortnightly 

 intervals a fine lot of their deliciously-scented, flowers will be 

 obtained from Christmas onwards. After flowering it is seldom 

 worth keeping the plants, unless stock is wanted very badly : 

 if not, they should be thrown away. 



Herbaceous Plants. 



Many of the ordinary occupants of our borders force admirably 

 and afford a welcome and charming addition to bulbs and other 

 plants. As a case in point, we may mention the valuable Spircsa 

 mpojiica, with its white feathery flowers and handsome foliage, 

 rendering it not only one of the best for cutting, but also 

 admirable for room or conservatory embellishment. This plant 

 should be potted for early supplies in October, and again later 

 to meet all demands. Unlike many other plants, it will stand 

 hard forcing from the first — i.e., the plants may be placed in 

 strong heat at once with a certainty of success, and if gradually 

 hardened oft", and planted out again in rich soil, they will in 

 two years form strong clumps ready for forcing again. Plenty of 

 heat and moisture are essential to all this class of Spiraeas, but 

 other varieties will not force so easily or with such a certainty 

 of success as the one named. Solomon's Seal, again, is valuable 

 for large rooms, corridors, conservatories, &c., and forces readily, 

 and the same remark applies to Dicentra (Dielytra), with its 

 graceful racemes of pretty flowers. 



The Ten-week Stocks are annuals, but they are very useful for 

 supplying flowers in wmter, especially the pure white variety, 

 named Princess Alice. Carnations, too, are lovely winter- 

 flowering plants ; varieties like Winter Cheer, Uriah Pike, JMiss 

 Joliffe, and the Malmaisons are all first-rate, and may be had in 

 flower all through the season by commencing with Winter Cheer, 



