G. C. WATSON, PHILADELPHIA, TRADE LIST, FALL, 1896 
11 
Watson’s XX Berlin Valley. 
Size and consequently good qual- 
ity in the flowers of the Lily of the 
Valley depend entirely on the culti- 
vation and the attention given to the 
preparation of the crowns. Immense 
quantities of these are annually im- 
ported from Germany to meet the 
demand for forcing purposes in this 
country. It is important to observe 
that those coming from Berlin are far 
better for early forcing than those re- 
ceived from Hamburg The latter are 
generally much larger, but for some 
reason they cannot be depended on to 
start well before January at the earliest. 
For this reason Berlin pips are to 
be preferred for early forcing. They 
should be planted rather thickly in 
pots or boxes, and a little soil or cocoa, 
nut fibre lightly shaken among the 
roots, but not over the tops. The tops should be covered with moss. Another plan 
is to insert them similarly in propagating frames. The roots do not grow during this 
period, consequently it is immaterial which method is adopted. 
Plunge in a bottom heat of about 85 degrees, and if possible, maintain a surface 
temperature of 10 degrees less. This encourages the production of flowers and leaves 
at the same time — conditions not readily obtained with the earlier supplies If pots 
or boxes are used, empty ones of a similar size may be inverted over them, to keep 
the crowns in a darkened position. This is considered beneficial in assisting to start 
them into growth. When close frames are used similar conditions may be secured by 
covering the sashes so as to exclude the light. It is important that the soil be placed 
as lightly as possible round the roots, in order that the heat may pass readily through 
it. Water of the same temperature should be given often enough to keep the whole 
well moistened. Bottom heat from an enclosed water tank with pipes lying in it is 
always more evenly distributed and not of such a drying nature as when the pipes 
are amongst the plunging or draining material. The very earliest batch not 
unfrequently fails ; but if the crowns are good, and proper attention is given in forcing, 
each of the later ones may generally be relied upon to produce good flowers An 
excellent plan for obtaining leaves, is to put in a few small one-year crowns along 
with the large three-year crowns. 
I have had careful tests made during recent years of pips 
from the best growers iu England, France, Denmark, Holland 
and Germany, and find that the Berlin pips are the best all 
round, consequently I have every confidence in offering 
“Watson’s XX Berlins” as the best on the market. I pay 
my grower extra money to get the pick of the stock and know 
that they will give my customers satisfaction. Considering 
the quality of the stock my prices are very reasonable. The 
cases contain 2500 pips each. Ready for delivery about 
November 20th. 
Single Cases (2500) at $9.00 per 1000. 
Five Cases or over “ $8.50 “ 
Lily of the Valley. 
