CONSERVATORY PLANTS— FORCED SHRUBS. 



2 35 



intervals of three weeks or a month. Place in a frame or pit, and keep the soil 

 steadily moist. When well rooted they may be subjected to a temperature of 50° to 

 60°, and moved to the conservatory when the first flowers are unfolding. After 

 flowering gradually withhold water, and when the leaves drop, keep the soil in a dry 

 state till the time arrives for re-potting the bulbs. 



Sctlla. — The early-flowering S. sibirica and its white form, also S. bifolia and 

 S. b. alba, force readily, and are charming plants for the conservatory. Treat 

 similarly to Eoman hyacinths. 



Tuberose. — This is a class of tuberous-rooted plants dear to market growers and 

 their customers, and when the cultural treatment comes to be given in a subsequent 

 chapter, it will be found that many private gardeners may produce a supply of these 

 deliciously fragrant flowers more easily than they have hitherto imagined. The 

 illustrations in this chapter have been obligingly furnished by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, 

 Reading. 



FORCED SHRUBS. 



Where a conservatory has to be kept gay during the winter and spring months recourse 

 must almost of necessity be had to forcing flowering shrubs in variety. Chrysanthe- 

 mums carry on the display till quite late in January, and it is after these are over 

 that the forced plants and shrubs are most required. Maintaining a supply of such 

 flowers entails a considerable amount of labour and expense, and an annual outlay on a 

 new stock is, in most instances, practically imperative. The same shrubs will not often 

 flower satisfactorily two years in succession, and in some cases they may require to be 

 rested two clear seasons, so that a fairly large stock is needed by those who force them 

 extensively. They are usually bought, and are, or ought to be, well furnished with 

 flower buds or flowering wood when received. The deciduous shrubs, such as Hydran- 

 gea paniculata, lilacs, prunuses, weigelias and viburnums are largely imported and 

 arrive with but little soil about the roots. These ought to be potted directly they 

 come to hand. First, however, if the roots are very dry and the wood affords signs of 

 shrivelling, immerse them in a tub or tank of water the best part of a day, this plumping 

 the wood and roots considerably. Place them in pots just large enough to hold the roots 

 without unduly cramping, and pack good soil firmly about them. For the majority of 

 shrubs, a mixture of two parts loam to one each of leaf soil and fine decayed 

 manure, with a sprinkling of sand, is suitable. 



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