29« 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



extensively grown, however. The Due Van Thol varieties are valuable on account of 

 their earliness, as they can be had in flower at Christmas ; but directly the longer- 

 stemmed later varieties arc available, the Van Thols are disregarded. The trade prices 

 for Van Thols range from 12s. to 45s. per 1,000 bulbs, the pure white varieties costing 

 the most, The flowers may realise anything from Is. Gd. down to Gd. per dozen. 

 Larger flowering tulips that may be had in bloom early in the new year are La Eeine, 

 white; Pottebakker White; Proserpine, rich pink; Yellow Prince, golden-yellow; 

 Thomas Moore, orange ; Pottebakker Scarlet ; Duehesse de Parme, brownish red, and 

 Belle Alliance, scarlet ; all of them are comparatively cheap to buy. For flowering late, 

 at Easter in particular, the doubles are mostly preferred, and of these the best, from a 

 market-grower's point of view, are Murillo, pink; imperator rubrorum, scarlet; and 



together in the pots or boxes (Fig. 170). In order to have the flowers with long 

 stems, the forcing should take place in deep frames over hot-water pipes ; shading with 

 paper improves the appearance of the foliage. The later batches will flower in the 

 spaces between tomatoes in houses, and in various other positions of a similar nature. 

 When wanted for packing, cut them down close to the bulbs, long stems always being 

 appreciated. There is only a limited demand for tulips in pots, and these may be 

 "made up," without detriment, from those started in boxes. 



For flowering very early, the improved form of the old Paper White, known as 

 grandiflora, is the best. The trade price for this is 25s. to 30s. per 1,000 bulbs, and 

 the average price obtained for the flowers does not exceed Gd. per dozen spikes. Flowers 



Fig. 170. Makket box of Due Van Thol TuLirs. 



Eeine Blanche, white ; the last- 

 named superseding the less reliable 

 La Candeur, and is quite as cheap. 

 Tulips ought always to be marketed 

 before they are fully expanded, the 

 singles fetching from Is. down to 

 Gd. per dozen, at times even less, 

 and the doubles from 3d. to Gd. per 

 dozen more. Start them much as 

 advised in the case of hyacinths. 

 The bulbs may be placed closely 



NARCISSUS. 



