129 
only half plunged, and sprinkled with tepid water occasionally, 
for they love moisture; or, at least, are very averse to dryness. 
In another week they should be removed to the glazed protec- 
tors, or to any shady portion of the greenhouse, where they will 
gradually unfold without any further difficulty. As before ob- 
served, they must be kept from sun-light until in full blossom ; 
for a sudden exposure of them to its influences, when they first 
emerge from the soil in an etiolated state, would prove fatal 
to them. 
A little preparatory culture will render the forcing of this 
flower more convenient as well as more successful. A few buds 
should be planted for this purpose every year, in order to pre- 
serve a regular system of supply, and in the middle of March 
they will require two seasons’ culture to make them sufficiently 
strong. A damp spot should be chosen, such as the back or 
north border of the kitchen garden; and this should be set out 
in four-feet beds, making it very rich with well-decayed ma- 
nure, and adding some boggy heath soil to it. On this, well- 
blended, mark out circles at fifteen inches apart, the circles 
about eight inches in diameter, which may be impressed on 
the soil with an eight-inch pot, held in an inverted position. 
Within this circle dibble in the roots, putting them very thick, 
perhaps about two dozen good buds in the whole to each circle, 
and as soon as planted, cover the whole of the crowns with two 
inches at least of mellow manure. 
Nothing further will be necessary but clean culture, and the 
picking away of all blossom buds before they expand, for this 
strengthens the plant much. After two summers’ culture in 
the buds, pot them about the last week of October; and in doing 
so, merely cut round each circle with a sharp spade, and sink it 
into a pot large enough, first placing a potsherd or oyster shell, 
at the bottom, and on it a layer of ordinary leaves, half decayed. 
The whole stock must then be placed in the “plunging ground” 
and covered over head a foot deep, with old tan to keep out frost. 
From this place of safety they may be successively removed to 
the protectors according to the supply of flowers required; and 
by sucb means, abundance of the delightful Lily of the Valley, 
may be obtained from the early part of December, until they 
flower in the open soil. 
310 Forcing Deciduous Roses in Protectors. We shall not 
30i. AUCTAEIDM. 
