336 



THE FLOWER GROWER'S GUIDE. 



Spring frosts mitigate against the home preparation of plants for forcing, hut clumps 

 are imported extensively from Holland and Belgium, small quantities costing, by the 

 time they are received, about 9s. per hundred. These clumps are usually severely 

 reduced in size, this effecting a saving in the cost of carriage, and admitting of their 

 being placed in 6 -inch pots. It is well to pot them soon after they are received, 

 packing rich soil round the clumps, and leaving sufficient depth for watering. Store in 

 cold pits and frames till wanted. Forcing may commence in November, brisk heat, 

 moist atmosphere, light positions, abundance of water and liquid manure being essentials 

 to success. Successional batches arc introduced every three weeks or so, taking care to 

 reserve abundance for flowering at Easter. It does not pay to keep the old clumps 

 to flower a second time. 



STEPHANOTIS. 



Much of the stephanotis to be seen in the markets is sent from private gardens, but 

 there are also a number of trade growers who cultivate this fragrantly flowered plant 

 successfully. Those who have a good local connection find stephanotis of the greatest 

 service in wreath and bouquet-making, and the surplus trusses sent to the principal 

 flower markets realise from 2d. to 4d. per dozen. Naturally the prices are largely 

 affected by the quality and number of pips, and also whether they are clean and fresh 

 or not. Mealy bug is the one great hindrance to successful culture of the stephanotis 

 in many establishments, plants infested with this pest being anything but profitable. 

 The start should be made with perfectly clean plants, and a close look-out must be kept 

 for any odd insects that may find their way to them, as destroying these promptly is 

 the best preventative of serious infestation. Stephanotis ought always to be trained 

 near to the glass, as shown on page 314 ; nowhere else will the stems flower freely. 

 An ordinary stove temperature is desirable, also shade from strong sun. Cultural 

 details will be found on pages 30-33 of the present volume. 



TUBEROSES. 



There is a constant demand for flowers of tuberoses, these fetching from 3d. to 6d. per 

 dozen blooms, at which price they pay well. The American Pearl is the favourite with 

 market-growers, very few African bulbs being grown, and these only to flower early in 

 the year. Pearl is of a sturdy habit, forming a strong flower spike, and producing large 

 double, pure white blooms. Although the bulk of the tubers reach this country early in 



