106 
FORCING THE LILY OF THE YALLEY. 
at intervals of a few days, gradually separate the young from the old plant, pot it at once into an 8-inch 
pot in rich compost, and plunge in a slight bottom heat in a frame or pit, taking care to shade foi a 
few days. In this way we have no doubt plants as dwarf, perfect, and compact as the Geraniums 
shown at the London exhibitions might be grown, and the slight bottom heat would enable them to 
throw fine compact flowers. 
With the large kinds it is the fashion of some of the prize growers to plunge the pots containing 
the plants into large tubs, these tubs being filled with manure or rich compost, into which the 
plants root, and, consequently, instead of being “grown in 11-inch pots,” they have had all the 
advantage of an 18-inch pot. But what is their fate on the day of exhibition ? To keep them 
from flagging they almost require a man to stand by them with the watering-pot, and, consequently, 
no sooner is the exhibition over than they are consigned to the rubbish heap. This is prize-hunting 
with a vengeance, but not plant-growing for the love of plants.—A. 
- $ - 
FORCING THE LILY OF THE YALLEY. 
Jjrt MONGST the delicacies of the early spring bouquet, the Lily of the Valley holds a most prominent 
AA place. Its purity, gracefulness, and poetic associations, conspire to make it not only the favourite 
of to-day, but doubtless will secure it such a position as long as civilization endures. Gorgeousness, 
dignity, and splendour, belong to Azaleas, Camellias, Roses, &c.; but not one of these popular favourites 
can supply a twig capable of taking the place of the Lily in the bouquet. That universal favourite, 
the White Camellia may possibly rival its whiteness, but we seek in vain for the exquisite aroma and 
delightful simplicity of form, calling to mind the hours of childhood; for who has not, in early days, 
instinctively sought the Lily of the Valley in some secluded nook P 
We have recently heard of’“ Orchids for the Million,” “ Bedding Plants for the Million,” &c.; and 
why not Early Flowers for the Million, in these days of cheap glass ? Amongst the numerous dainties 
which the possessor of a glass-house and a hotbed may aspire to, our present pet may be placed; for 
there is nothing astonishing about its culture. The chief danger will consist in the possibility of 
“ killing it with kindness.” 
It requires two years to prepare the Lily for forcing, in order to have it in the highest degree of 
perfection. In all forcing affairs, the first, and by no means inferior, division of the subject is prepa¬ 
ration. Now, it is well in Lily forcing to have two sets of plants, the one in the open ground, the other 
in pots from the commencement. The latter is by far the best for early forcing ; the former will pro¬ 
duce more exuberant blooms at a later period: the pots producing from the end of November until the 
end of January ; those potted from the soil, from that period until Lilies blossom out-doors. 
Large pots are necessary ; and those who intend to procure a long succession for the drawing-room 
will do well to get some shallow pans made for the purpose. Such should be about nine inche s 
diameter, by about seven inches in depth, and would, as I think, look respectable if painted a deep 
straw colour, and sanded over with large and sparkling grit whilst w r et. Such would aid in bringing 
out the purity of the Lilies. 
New plantations may be made any time from November to March. I prefer the middle of Febru¬ 
ary. They love a sound and rich soil, but will succeed in any good garden soil, which retains mois¬ 
ture in a steady way, but not in excess. For pots, one-half strong loam, and the other half composed 
of very old cow manure and leaf soil, thoroughly decomposed, grows them in the highest perfection. 
In making new plantations, the ground may be marked out into beds, and my practice is to plantthem 
in circles of about eight inches diameter, the circles fifteen inches apart. The ground being duly pre¬ 
pared, we take an 8-inch pot, and inverting it, stamp circles in the proper places; and these circles 
are filled with young plants, both in and within the ring. When planted, I cover the whole surface 
three inches with very rotten manure, as a mulching, and this proves of immense benefit. 
Of course, the planting in pots is conducted in a similar way, but the latter should, be plunged during 
the whole of their culture. It may here be remarked that the Lily loves a partial shade. I grow them 
