119 
commences, which is of much service in promoting the strength 
of the present blossom ; and decidedly of benefit as laying the 
foundation of future vitality in the bulb ; to say nothing of 
its forming material for the blossom of the ensuing year. 
It will be readily seen, then, that our opaque protectors will 
furnish the necessary conditions up to the period of the bulbs 
possessing leaves, when they may be transferred either to the 
glazed protectors, to the greenhouse shelf, or to the drawing 
room, as the case may be. It may here be observed, that 
what are termed “forcing bulbs,” — such as the Hyacinth, 
the Narcissus, early Tulips, the Double Jonquil, the Persian 
Iris, Crocuses, &c., require a small amount of bottom heat, 
at certain stages: 70 degrees is amply sufficient for this pur- 
pose; and it so happens that precisely the same amount of 
bottom heat will suit every plant enumerated in this division. 
We do not mean to say that the whole division must have pre- 
cisely this temperature, but that all the objects sought by this 
application of the opaque protector, may be most effectually car- 
ried out by this moderate amount of heat. For bulbs, however, 
we should say any where between 60“ and 70“, is the most con- 
genial root temperature; observing to keep down atmospheric 
heat, by ventilation or otherwise, to 55“ or 60“ at the highest. 
In order to guard those of our readers who are inexperienced in 
bulb forcing, we must observe, that for successful forcing, they 
should be obtained and potted early in September, and then 
plunged over head in ashes, old vegetable soil, or indeed com- 
mon soil, until the roots are peeping through the bottoms of the 
pots. This process will, in general, require about two months, 
so that by the end of October the pots will be nearly full of 
roots; and then, and then only, should they be introduced to 
bottom heat, with the course of culture before described. They 
will require no water through the whole process, provided they 
be potted in moist soil; and when introduced to the protec- 
tor, should be plunged four inches deep : when the bud, or 
rather the leaves, are fairly above the plunging material, they 
may be safely removed to the drawing room or greenhouse, 
observing to inure them gradually to the light, and then to 
water them rather liberally, in order to counteract the sudden 
effects of the drier atmosphere to which they are in their new 
habitation exposed. 
300. AUCTARIUM. 
