Febru»ry 34,1887. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
155 
pots arranged on benches step above step from both sides to the centre, 
forming massive ridges of luxuriant fronds. They are quite as good as 
if grown in a “ house to themselves,” and: the Grapes would not be better 
if there was not a plant in the vinery ; in fact the success of the com¬ 
bination is as complete as it is suggestive, and as such we have pleasure 
in making it more widely known. 
PREPARING AND FORCING PLANTS AND BULBS. 
The production of forced flowers during winter months is a branch 
of gardening that has received an impetus in modern times almost 
wholly unknown to the gardeners of the past. The demand for cut 
flowers being so great and still increasing, it becomes imperative that 
each member of the craft should attain a sound knowledge of their suc¬ 
cessful production at all sea¬ 
sons, but especially during the 
winter months. Happily the 
list of plants suitable for 
winter and spring forcing is 
an extensive one, and where 
suitable accommodation is 
afforded with a judicious 
selection, together with some 
forethought exercised in their 
previous preparation, consti¬ 
tutes one of the leading or 
preparatory elements of suc¬ 
cess, and where duly attended 
to obviates in a great measure 
the difficulties experienced 
when the above conditions are 
wanting. 
Hardy plants for winter 
and spring forcing should re¬ 
ceive all the encouragement 
possible during the previous 
summer and autumn until 
growth is completed and buds 
well set. If grown in borders 
they should be lifted and 
potted early, and set in any 
convenient place until the 
approach of severe or frosty 
weather, when it would be 
preferable to house them, and 
introduce to the forcing pit 
in succession. The treatment 
described would be applicable 
in the case of Rhododendrons 
in variety, Deutzia gracilis 
and D. crenata fl.-pl., hardy 
Azaleas of the pontica and 
mollis varieties,Lilacs,Prunus, 
&c. All the above-named 
plants could be better pre¬ 
pared for early forcing if 
grown in pots during the 
summer, but would incur 
more labour, a serious con¬ 
sideration to the majority of 
already heavily handicapped 
gardeners of the present times. 
The various forms of 
Azalea indica are indispensa¬ 
ble for forcing, and can be 
had in flower at any time 
during winter if growth is 
completed and buds set early. 
The old varieties of the alba 
type still retain their position, 
and are a desideratum where 
Azaleas are required in quan¬ 
tity. Zonal Pelargoniums, 
Cyclamens, Primulas (single 
and double), Bouvardias, Poinsettias, &c., are too well known for their 
useful qualities to need comment. Poinsettias require a temperature 
not lower than 60° and 65° from about the middle of September on¬ 
wards. During October and later Bouvardias should receive the same 
temperature. 
White Camellias and Eucharis blooms are invaluable during winter 
and spring. In our own case this year, as on former occasions, they 
have responded to our call with a faithfulness peculiar to themselves at 
this dull season. We commenced to gather our Camellias, which are 
planted out, some six weeks before Christmas, and shall continue to do 
so until April. Our Eucharises began to unfold their flowers two weeks 
previous to the festive season, and will afford us a good supply of 
blooms during the greater part of February. Our present flowering 
batch will by that time have produced 1100 blooms. A fact worthy of 
notice in connection with the Eucharis is one bulb having produced a 
spike carrying eight blooms, one of which has assumed a semi-double 
appearance, and is composed of two whorls of petals, five in each, and 
the same number of stamens. The flower is very interesting from 
a botanical point of view. 
Ricliardias planted in a suitably prepared piece of ground, or grown 
in pots plunged during summer months, are very useful when forced 
into flower during winter, particularly at Christmas. The bulbs and 
roots suitable for forcing comprise in themselves variety of form anti 
colour sufficient to make an effective display during the dull monotonous 
days of December and January. The first batch of Tulips and Roman 
Hyacinths should be put in boxes containing light soil as early as they 
can be procured. With bulbs required for forcing, the earlier they are 
put in the better to insure roots in abundance before taking them from 
the plunge bed, when if placed in a cold frame secure from frost, the 
growing points will in a few days assume a fine green colour, and are 
then ready for the forcing department as required. Roman Hyacinths- 
and Tulips we force in boxes, 
a convenient way when re¬ 
quired for cutting or making 
up. When used for the latter 
purpose the bulbs can be 
lifted from the boxes in an 
equal state of development, 
and consequently a better 
effect is obtained than if 
forced in pots, when some 
would probably unfold their 
flowers in advance of the 
others. 
The best Tulips for early 
forcing are Scarlet Due Van 
Thuyl, Queen Victoria, and 
Tournesol, the latter a beau¬ 
tiful and well known double 
Tulip ; Yellow Pottebakker, 
Gold Prince, and Canary Bird, 
are, as their names imply, 
three good yellow kinds; 
Couleur Cardinal and Keizers 
Kroon, two good varieties to 
succeed the above named ; La 
Candeur is a good double 
white, but will not force 
early. 
To have the Lily of the 
Valley in good condition at 
Christmas, strong, plump, well 
ripened crowns, home grown 
or imported, should be secured. 
If the crowns were thoroughly 
ripened and rested '“hey can 
be had in flower in the space 
of from three to four weeks if 
provided with a bottom heat 
of from 85° to 90°. The crowns 
should be covered with an 
inch of cocoa fibre, or with a 
sprinkle of small leaves, and 
watered when necessary. 
Spiraea japonica and large- 
flowering Hyacinths give 
better results if brought on 
gradually after new year 
time. Paper White, Double 
Roman, and other Narcissus, 
double Daffodils included, 
are beautiful when forced 
gently during January and 
February. Spiraea palmata 
and Hydrangea paniculata 
grandiflora are two noble 
plants for late spring forcing, 
and form a striking contrast 
of colours. 
Gardenias unfold their 
blooms during February, 
March, and April. In the latter month a companion flower in every 
respect worthy to associate with the Gardenia will begin to make 
its appearance—namely, Stephanotis. Marshal Neil and other beau¬ 
tiful Tea Roses will be abundant during the months just named. 
In the ordinary course of nature, all indications of winter should by 
this time have disappeared, and henceforward there should be no 
scarcity of Pelargoniums (decorative) and the various other flowers in 
season.—D. Sheahan, Wimbledon. 
HARD WATER V. BOILERS. 
I SEE that Mr. Iggulden complains that he is not credited with 
knowing the elementary rules of the science bearing on this and other 
subjects. I have re-read his previous letter, and I fail to detect the 
slightest sign of science in it. His second letter is worse in this respect 
