SEP 3 
r THE outset I may say that, for the beginner, shrubs 
bought for the purpose are undoubtedly the best to 
start with. Yet for those who intend to force hardy 
shrubs year by year it is more convenient usually as 
well as more economical to set aside a piece of ground for their 
culture, and work up a supply at home. In this way healthy 
young plants may be kept on hand to replace those worn out and 
exhausted under the process of forcing, while these latter are re- 
juvenated by giving them a year or two of rest in the nursery. 
In addition to ground for planting purposes, a plunging ground 
must also be provided; for 
although some shrubs require 
planting out every other year 
there are others that must 
always be grown in pots. 
To obtain good well-ripened 
wood, the ground selected for 
the nursery should be exposed 
to full sun. For the majority 
of plants a rich medium loam 
will be found most suitable, 
though peat and leaf mold is 
necessary for Ericaceous 
plants. Gardeners as a rule 
prefer to raise their plants 
from cuttings, seeds or grafts, 
and to grow them two years 
without flowering; but where 
this is not expedient, small 
plants may be purchased from 
nurserymen who make a spe- 
cialty of plants for forcing 
and these planted out in the 
nursery. 
However the start is made, 
the time they occupy the 
nursery should be spent in 
laying a good foundation for 
the future; consequently all 
weak, useless wood should be 
removed so that the whole 
strength of the plant may go 
to the permanent parts, and 
the maximum amount of light 
and air be admitted to all 
parts. 
At the end of the third 
year most shrubs are in first 
class condition for forcing. 
Those that are planted out 
should be lifted in October, 
potted, and plunged in ashes 
or light soil, in a deep cold- 
frame, until required for use. If one has ample facilities such 
shrubs as Lilacs, Staphyleas, and Rhododendrons may be had 
, in flower for Christmas, if given good care during the pre- 
cvj vious summer and during the forcing period. Rhododendrons 
2 ? have been very popular evergreen shrubs for flowering at Christ- 
mas; but owing to the action of the Federal Horticultural Board 
none of these beautiful plants are likely to be imported in future, 
at least until the ban is lifted. And as present stock in the 
country is at a very low ebb, it is doubtful if they may be 
obtained. 
February, March, and April are the three months in which 
forced shrubs are at their best; and for this they do not require 
excessive heat. It is much better to place shrubs in a temper- 
ature not exceeeding 50 degrees F. for the first tw'o weeks, after- 
ward raising it gradually to 69 degrees or more, with sun heat 
as the buds begin to swell. Much greater heat than this can, 
of course, be used, but it is better to take a week or two longer 
than to use great heat, which is a detriment to many plants. 
When plants are grown in 
cool temperature they are 
not so much exhausted; fur- 
ther, they develop healthy 
foliage with the flowers, 
which is better than when 
the leaves are absent. 
A moist atmosphere should 
be maintained in the forcing 
house, and the plants should 
be well syringed several times 
daily. Remove them to a cool 
house as the flowers begin to 
open. To get plants into 
flower for the earlier dates 
requires from four to six 
weeks; for March and April 
from two to fourweeks. After 
the flowers are over the plants 
must be pruned, cutting out 
all old flowering and weak 
wood to encourage new 
growth. Throughout the 
summer weak, useless shoots 
should be taken out also. 
Plants that have been forced 
should be placed in a cool 
house until all danger of frost 
is past and kept growing, with 
an abundance of air always. 
Toward the middle or end of 
May those that require a 
year’s rest should be planted 
in the nursery, while the 
others that may be used 
another year are plunged and 
well fed and watered until 
growth is completed. Any 
that require special treat- 
ment are noted in the list 
given below. 
Acer: the three most useful 
(when small) for decorative 
purposes are: Acer japonicum, A. palmatum, and A. negundo. 
The great variations in form and color of the dainty foliage of A. 
palmatum are rarely, if ever, equalled in any other species. A. 
japonicum has also a number of fine leaved forms showing great 
diversity of character. A. negundo variegata is bright green 
and milk white when forced. All may be grown in pots and 
successfully forced for a number of years in succession. 
Amelanchier canadensis oblongifolia: A dwarf shrubby plant 
1 1 
NEW VOf** 
BOTANICAL 
FORCING SHRUBS INTO WINTER BLOOM 
HENRY GIBSON 
Nothing Can Exceed the Satisfaction Which a Growing Plant In Full Bloom at Midwinter Yields, 
and As the Shrubs Which May Be Forced Are Many, It Is a Pleasure Which Many May Enjoy 
WISTERIA AND LILAC ARE HIGHLY FAVORED 
Properly cared for between seasons and allowed sufficient time in which 
to recuperate most shrubs may be used almost indefinitely for forcing 
