82 
BARR’S GENERAL BULB CATALOGUE, Autumn, 1908. 
x LILY OF THE VALLEY, 
For forcing, and making plantations out of doors. 
The Berlin Forcing Crowns offered below we recommend for general forcing, to come in after 
Christmas. For flowering before and at Christmas the Retarded Crowns should be used. For 
outdoor culture the Planting Crowns are recommended. 
DIRECTIONS FOR FORCING. 
Plant IS to 20 crowns in a 5 -inch pot, shaking in a little light soil amongst the roots, until they are 
tightly potted ; leave the crowns free above the soil and a little below the rim of the pot. Place on 
bottom heat in a moist atmosphere , with a temperature of 80 to 85 degrees (if forced in Match a 
temperature of 70 to 75 degrees will be sufficient), and cover the crowns with a little cocoa fibre 
or moss, which remove when top growth is showing. T epitl water should be frequently given, 
care being taken that it penetrates to the centre of the clump. To encourage simultaneously the 
development of flower and foliage, keep a flower-pot inverted over the crowns, until flower and 
foliage have made some progress, when gradually admit light. A dry atmosphere , or an insufficient 
supply of water at the roots , will cause the crowns, technically speaking, to go ‘ blind. Where 
large quantities of Lily of the Valley blooms are required for cutting, the crowns should be planted 
rather thickly in boxes and receive the treatment described above. 
OUTDOOR CULTURE OF LILY OF THE VALLEY. 
Out-of-doors the Lily of the Valley likes a partially shaded and moist situation. The best results are 
obtained on a shady border against a wall, placing the crowns 6 to 9 inches apart and leaving them 
to establish themselves. The soil should be a good loam enriched with manure and a top dressing 
of old manure should be given annually. The plants should not be allowed to remain more than 
three years in one spot. 
x Barr’s Finest Berlin Forcing Crowns, of finest selected quality, suitable for general 
early forcing P el ' looo < 60/-; per 100, 6/6 
x Barr’s Improved English “Alexandra” Crowns, bearing sturdy spikes well 
clothed with large handsome bells ; this strain is specially suited for outdoor culture, but may also 
be potted and very slowly forced in February or March (not earlier) per 100, 8/6; per doz. 1/3 
X Fine Selected Berlin Planting Crowns, for outdoor beds, and naturalising in 
woods, etc - Per 1000, 42/- ; per 100, 4/6 
X Strong- selected clumps, for outdoor planting or slow forcing in pots. 
*" per doz. 10/6; each 1 /- 
x Fortin Grand Giant Strain, a very beautiful strain with remarkably large handsome bells 
on long sturdy stalks ; the finest of all Lily of the Valley. The flowering crowns offered may be 
potted and brought on very slowly under glass, but they must not be potted or boxed up before 
March ; ordinary forcing will cause them to go blind . Flowering crowns, per 100, 17/6 ; per doz. 2/6 
Planting crowns (specially recommended') ,, 10/6; „ 1/6 
RETARDED LILY OF THE VALLEY, 
Suitable to force for Autumn, Winter and Summer flowering. 
Crowns supplied from July to December and March to June. 
The earlier plantings of the Berlin Retarded Crowns 
will give bloom in about three weeks, but the crowns 
started in November and December require a little 
more time. It is necessary that they be planted as soon 
as received, and grown on rapidly without any check. 
In June, July, and August all that is needed is to 
place them in a cold frame, and they come along 
quickly with very little attention. Later on, however, 
when the nights become cool, the temperature must 
be raised to that of the day. Failures sometimes occur 
with these retarded crowns in October, November, 
and December because they are not given the warmth 
they require at night. 
The plants should be kept fairly dry overhead, and 
a warm moist atmosphere should be maintained. As 
the retarded crowns make a vigorous foliage it is ad- 
visable to remove one out of three leaves, as this will 
assist the development of the flower spike. 
The Fortin’s Giant Retarded Crowns take a few 
days longer to develop their flowers than the Berlin 
Retarded Crowns. 
Finest Berlin Retarded Crowns, sup- 
plied as required from July to December and March 
to June per 1000, 80/- ; per 100, 9/- 
Finest Selected Fortin’s Giant Re- 
tarded Crowns, supplied as required from 
fuly to December and March to June... per 100, 21/- 
fortin’s ciant lily of the valley. 
