ON FORCING FLOWERS. 
243 
usually subject to this treatment, in the time required to effect 
a perfect re-establishment; some of them may be obtained in 
a proper state in a few weeks, while others will not bear to be 
forced until they have received a year’s preparation. The first 
class consists of bulbous-rooted and herbaceous plants, which 
form an entirely new set of organs in each season, and the latter 
includes Roses, Rhododendrons, and other hard-wooded plants 
that have a more persistent system ; these are absolute in re¬ 
quiring to be potted at least six months, so as to allow them to 
form a season’s roots before being forced. 
The next essential point of management lies in the manner 
of applying the necessary heat, and on it the success of the 
whole may be said to hinge ; for whatever care or skill may 
have been expended, any misapplication here will render it all 
void. The increase should be brought about in a gradual man¬ 
ner, so as to resemble as nearly as possible the advances of 
spring, whose functions it is intended to anticipate; the absurd 
practice, so prevalent a few years since, of removing a plant 
from the open air in the depth of winter to a temperature of 
some 55° or 60°, and of which some traces even yet remain, 
must appear preposterous when we consider the object sought 
by the change. Was ever so great a difference known to occur 
in a day and a night at any part of the year, or any portion of 
the world? This, or whatever else is so violently opposed to 
nature’s laws, must be erroneous in practice. The tempera¬ 
ture above mentioned (55° or 60°) is that in which most plants 
will expand their flowers; and to reach it from the average 
temperature of our winters, at least two intermediate stages are 
necessary : the first, of about 35°, is usually afforded by a cold 
frame, and the next, of 45°, or greenhouse temperature. After 
a suitable stay in each of these climates, which will vary with the 
nature of the plants, say, for the soft-wooded or herbaceous 
class, ten days or a fortnight, and for the others a little longer, 
they may be safely introduced to the highest temperature. In 
the ordinary and proper developement of the organs of a plant, 
the action commences with the roots, and proceeds gradually 
upvrards, as displayed in the bursting of the leaf, the formation 
and expanding of the flower-bud, and, finally, the perfection of 
the seed. This is the natural course of the vital energy; but 
when the plant is placed at once into a comparatively high 
