November 21, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD . 
977 
Readers' Competition—continued. 
in winter, with a moist atmosphere at all seasons of the year, 
for they do not appear to have any particular period of rest. 
They are of a rather straggling habit of growth, which must be 
kept tied in as well as possible, for they resent the use of a knife. 
They should be grown in a mixture of two-thirds peat antTone- 
third of good maiden loam, with plenty of sand added to keep 
the whole porous. Then, again, we have the Balsaminaeflorum 
group, the members of which are very much like the previous 
group in habit, etc., but vary in the flowers, which are double ; 
hence they last in perfection for a much longer period than is 
the case with the single-flowered ones. 
Before closing I must just mention Rhododendron sinensis, 
“ which is Azalea mollis of gardens,” and which only differs 
botanically in the number of stamens, there being five, and in 
Rhododendron proper the typical number is ten. These are, 
as everyone knows, invaluable for forcing, for cut flowers, as 
plants for conservatory decoration, or planting outside, where 
they not only bloom profusely in summer ;. but, added to this, 
their foliage puts on such beautiful hues in autumn that they 
form quite a feature in gardens where they are extensively used. 
A. H. 
Hints on Bulb Forcing. 
Now that bulbs of all sorts have become so popiular with all 
classes alike for producing flowers during the winter and early 
spring months, I trust a few simple words on the subject may 
be of interest to readers of The Gardening AVorld. Many of 
the finest sorts of Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, etc., which a 
few years ago were almost unknown on account of their pro¬ 
hibitive price, have now become cheap and reliable enough for 
all to have a few, and the cottager or amateur who takes a pride 
in his flower garden or window box can now purchase any par¬ 
ticular sort that he fancies, and generally rely upon having a 
good return for less outlay- In the first place, whether they are 
intended for potting or planting out, as soon as they are re¬ 
ceived from the nurseryman they should be put in as quick as 
possible, as if allowed to lie about long they deteriorate greatly. 
This year, owing to the wet state of the ground, it has been 
almost impossible where planting is concerned, and the first op¬ 
portunity should be taken in such a variable climate as ours. 
I will deal first with those which are generally used for the 
earliest forcing. One of the greatest favourites for early work 
of the Hyacinths is the Roman, whose lovely white blossoms are 
so much appreciated at Christmas, and are so useful for table 
decoration or conservatory work. These should be potted into 
well-drained 48 or 5-in. pots, in a mixture of two parts fibrous 
loam, one part leaf soil, and one part decayed manure, with 
plenty of sand and just a dash of charcoal. They should be 
potted firmly, pressing the soil evenly about them, and just 
leaving the top of the bulb level with the soil. Water them in 
with a fine rose can, and plunge -the pots in oocoanut fibre for 
preference, as it is clean and easily shifted. Ashes should never 
be used unless it is quite sure there is no injurious substance in 
them. The pots should be examined periodically, and as soon 
as the bulbs are pushing up above the soil about an inch 
and they are well rooted, they may be taken out and placed in a 
cold frame and kept shaded for a day or two. As they increase 
in growth a few may be shifted into slightly warmer quarters, 
and gradually inured to stand more heat. 
Gradual forcing is a most important point with all bulbs, as 
I am sure more failures may be attributed to too hard forcing 
than anything else. The pots may be placed into heat after 
being gradually brought on, and the best place for them is on 
a shelf in a warm house, according to what time they may be 
wanted to flower. As soon as the flower spikes appear they may 
be fed with weak manure water about, twice a week and till the 
flowers are fully open. They should be syringed twice daily in 
bright weather. A few may be placed in boxes or pans if re¬ 
quired for cutting purposes. These directions apply to most 
Hyacinths, except the large flowering ones, when it is advisable 
to place only one bulb in a 5-in. or 6-in. pot. Plunge them the 
same as advised for Romans, and bring on gradually, when, if 
v, are soun< l, the best results should ensue. The largest 
bulbs are not always the best ; rather select those which are 
quite firm and well shaped. Some of the largest flowers come 
10 m quite small bulbs, and the cultivator should not let this 
eter him from selecting that particular bulb or colour that 
ne wants because of this. 
As regards the Tulip, these should be potted immediately on 
airival, as if left in the bags they quickly start growing ; and, 
consequently, cannot give such good results. To make a good 
show five bulbs may be placed in a 48-sized pot or six in a 6-in. 
,1 » ol] from an old Melon bed may be used, and will answer 
well for these, using rather less sand. Pot deeply and firmly, 
and plunge the pots in cocoanut fibre, covering them over to the 
depth of 3 in. or 4 in ; in fact, this will be found sufficient for 
most bulbs. It is advisable, should the weather be wet to 
cover them over with sheets of iron or old frame-lights to ward 
off the heavy rams. Some varieties force better than others 
and those which are intended for early work should be placed so 
that they can be shifted easily without moving all the others 
Bring them on gradually, inducing them to stand heat as they 
grow and become well rooted. The Tulip is a very quick root¬ 
ing bulb, and should be allowed plenty of pot room, and fed well 
when the flowers are pushing up. Good turfy loam should be 
placed over the crocks, as it is a great help to the plant when 
the roots can roam through it, being more substantial than 
leaves or other drainage. 
The next bulb of importance which everyone should vrow is 
the Narcissus, or Daffodils, as they are more often called. The 
earliest and best for forcing before Christmas are the paper- 
white Polyanthus and the double Roman. Three bulbs will be 
found sufficient for a 5-in. pot and four or five for a 6-in The 
same soi 1 as advised for Tulips will suit these, and the’bulbs 
should be placed on the soil and then more soil added and 
firmly pressed down. It is a mistake to press the soil before 
placing the bulbs m the pot for this reason. The Narcissus 
pushes its roots out from the bottom all at once and beincr 
very strong, often, if the bottom soil is too hard, pushes itself 
ol . lt tne pot, and then they require pressing down a^ain 
which, of course, breaks what roots there are. They shoufd be 
examined every week, and when 3 in. or 4 in. high may be placed 
m a cold frame and gradually brought on as advised previously 
introducing batches into the forcing house as they are required.’ 
they should be placed as near the glass as possible to promote 
a sturdy growth and during bright, sunny days the pots should 
be well syringed. This should be discontinued as soon as the 
flowers open, and the plants removed to a cooler house or frame 
I he flowers of these do not last long if kept in heat. Some 
varieties are weaker growers than others, and these mav be sup- 
ported with a neat stake. I have not space here to speak of 
varieties of the different bulbs I have named, but shall be pleased 
to do so m a future article, if the Editor will permit me 
—['Please do.— Ed.]—I can, however, say that whatever variety 
it may be, if well grown and good bulbs to start with are ob¬ 
tained, the grower will be delighted with the flowers his bulbs 
produce, alike for their sweet scent and wonderful colours espe 
cially m the case of the Tulips and Hyacinths. ’ 
Wistow Gardens, Leicester. r Thatcher 
Council Gardens, Isle of Wight, there 7s"a splendid showed 
Chrysanthemums open to the public, and under the charge of 
Mr. C Martin, the horticultural instructor. A very attractive 
show of Chrysanthemums was opened at Ryde on the 3rd inst 
by the Mayor (Mr. A. Millward). Some of the leading winners 
were Lieut H. G. Tipping (gardener, Mr. J. Francis), H S 
Mitchison, Esq. (gardener, Mr. J. Cluitt), T. F Perrott Eso 
(gardener, Mr T. Phillips), General the Hon. S. J Gou^h 
Calthorpe (gardener, Mr. W. Farr), Mr. J. Hoskins Mr T T 
Wmthorp Mrs. R. Cecil, etc. The fourth exhibition of the 
Newport Chrysanthemum Society was opened in the Drill Hall 
Newport, Isle of Wight, on the 4th inst., under the patronage 
of the Royal Governor of the Island, Princess Henry of Bat- 
tenberg. The entries of cut flowers were fewer than usual owincr 
to the shows being Held at Ryde, Shanklin, and Portsmouth 0 
but the quality was sufficient to make a splendid show Some 
of the principal winners were Miss Brooke Firman Lieut H 
Gartside Tipping, Mrs. Disney Leith, Mr. R, Roach Pittis’ 
and F. T. Mew, Esq. The show of the Shanklin Chrysanthemum 
Society was opened on the 5th inst., and was a great success 
*** The prize last week in the Headers’ Competition was 
awarded to “James Bethel” for his article on “Modern 
Onion-Growing with Profitable Results,” page 953. 
