22 



PIGTOEIAL PBACTIGAL BULB OROWING. 



materially enhancing the beauty of the plants. Nitrate of soda is 

 frequently resorted to, but unless it is given with the greatest care 

 it is very dangerous, as it is liable to damage the tender roots 

 crowded in a small space. If it is used at all, it should not be 

 stronger than 5- oz. to 1 gallon of water, but J oz. of super- 

 phosphate per gallon is better. Any food made from natural 

 manures may be employed, provided it is given in weak doses, and 

 that each application alternates with one of pure water. Above 

 all things, do not over feed, as this is infinitely worse than not 

 feeding at all. 



Forcing Bulbs. — To everyone who has a greenhouse, bulbous 

 plants are of such enormous value in the spring months that it 

 would be a matter for surprise rather than otherwise if strenuous 

 endeavours were not made to bring them into flower before their 

 normal time. Fortunately for cultivators, bulbs are very tractable 

 in this respect, and, provided we use reasonable precautions, flowers 

 will be available over several months, and this at a period when they 

 w^ill render splendid service. By pushing on the one hand, and 

 retarding on the other, w^e can have a supply of bulbous plants for 

 the conservatory or the greenhouse from mid-November until the 

 following May, or a period of six months. Such a protracted time 

 would, of course, necessitate the utilisation of large numbers of 

 bulbs, and the exercise of a considerable amount of skill in their 

 management, but, given these things, with proper facilities for grow- 

 ing, the difficulties wdll be easily surmounted. 



As the details of soil preparation and potting are precisely the 

 same as for ordinary culture, it were a waste of valuable space to 

 deal with them now, as would-be forcers have merely to imbibe the 

 instructions already given to equip them on points of detail. 



The thing that the grower must realise flrst of all is that all 

 varieties of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, or what not are not equally 

 amenable to forcing treatment, and in respect of the last named 

 particularly neglect of attention to this matter will lead to the 

 greatest disappointment. The bulbs that are forced in the greatest 

 numbers, thereby proving themselves to be the best fitted for the 

 purpose, are White Roman Hyacinths, Van Thol Tulips, Double 

 Roman, Paper White, and a few other Narcissi (a simple rule of 

 guidance in choosing the latter will be given in due course), some 

 Liliums, and several others of much assistance, but not of sufficient 

 importance to warrant special mention at this juncture. All the 

 so-called Dutch Hyacinths and Tulips may be persuaded to thrown 

 up their flowers a little quicker by handling them carefully, but 

 they cannot be regarded as suitable for forcing, as any attempt at 

 rushing things will result in disaster. 



No matter whether one is dealing with Roman Hj^acinths or 

 anything else, a good foundation of roots must be secured before 

 any attempt is made to force, and until this is done it is well for 

 the grower to proceed along the lines suggested in the preceding 

 paragraphs. Encourage plenty of healthy roots and a nice green 



