86 



GARDENING FOR PLEASURE. 



flowering of the Lily of the Valley so uncertain when 

 forced. As in forcing the Hyacinth, and other similar 

 bulbs, crowns of the Lily of the Valley should be covered 

 up outside for a few weeks, before being brought into 

 the greenhouse or house to force. Those we flower are 

 put in about the middle of November, packed closely to- 

 gether in light, rich soil, in boxes three inches deep. 

 These are covered up outside with hay until the first of 



Fig. 35. — LILT OF THE VALLEY BUD — POOR. 



January ; they are then brought into a greenhouse, facing 

 north, where there is no direct sunlight at that season. 

 The temperature is kept at about 70°, \vlth a moist at- 

 mosphere, and by the first of February they are in full 

 flower. The Lily of the Valley could be grown finely in 

 a AVardian case, as it would there get the proper light, 

 with the necessary damp atmosphere. When grown in 

 greenhouses, exposed to sunlight, it is necessary to shade 



