Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-20
THE FLORAL WORLD.
FlOwering Bulbs-EEOV TO Force Hy a.
cInths, Tulips and Lilies.

ElO"GEAAh2 nu1DS-ROWE TO NfOTGG EMy a.
cinths, Tulips md Lilies.
Florists shops are gaudy with every
variety of forced bulbs; far more magnih-
cent is the display in the greenhouses. A
grower will, this year, force over a million
of bulbs for the New York market, the
actual cost of which to import is $4,000.
AS there are about one hundred florists
engaged in the bulb business, it is esti-
mated that the value of the importation
of dry bulbs forced for use in the city is
not less than 100000.
Amateurs who admire these bulbs are
often unacquainted with the mode of Gull
ture and as it is in all cases of the sim
plest kind, brief explanation may be
serviceable.
Almost all Holland bulbs can be grown
in either soil, moss, or water; it is the
hyacinth that is mainly grown in water,
and the process is so we'll known that it is
unnecessary to describe it. Hyacinths,
tulips, narcissus, lily -of-the-valley and the
new Bermuda or white trumpet lily, re-
quire nearly all the same treatment.
These bulbs are brought to this country
October. They are placed in boxes filed
rather loosely with rich earth to depth
of three or four inches. If hyacinths,
they are placed in these boxes at about
four inches apart each way; if tulips or
narcissus, from two to three inches apart.
The bulbs are pressed down in the loose
earth so that the top of the bulb is little
below the surface. The boxes thus
filled are then placed in some dry spot
and covered up with four or five inches of
leaves saWduSt, or some such non-con-
Quoting material, to prevent them from
getting too hot in early fall and again to
protect them from freezing as cold
weather comes on. By December boxes
of bulbs should be taken into the green
house or parlor, and kept in a temperature
of 20 degrees if they are wanted to be in
flower for the Christmas holidays, and in
succession of bloom thereafter during the
winter. If it is not convenient to place
them in the open ground bulbs will do al
most equally we'll if put in any cool dark
cellar, as light is not at all necessary until
they are wanted to flower. Beautiful
effects may be produced by placing any of
these bulbs, but particularly hyacinths
and tulips, in fancy baskets filled with
| moss. The roots luxuriate in the damp
moss as in soil, and moss is much lighter
and cleaner; the contrast of the bright
| flowers on the green vclvety bed is charm
adapted to private growers of bulbs who
| have no greenhouse accOmmO iations.
| When small lots are wanted, they can be
grown in pots in either soil or moss, the
| treatment being in all respects the same
| as for boxes
1t used to be a general belief that all
| these bulbs required to be frozen before
they could be forced this is not only an
| exploded notion, but it is found that after
| they are put in boxes, baskets, or pots,
where they are placed to form roots. they
| should never be even slightly frozen
| the only requirement. is that they shall be
kept cool. The strong roots of bulbs can
| be formed emily at a low temperature,
| though, OF course, it must be above freoz
| ing.
ly-of-the-yalley is one Of the most
easily cultivated bulbs; all that need be
! done when the dry "pips" are received
| IS to place them at once in boxes or has.
kets of sand or moss, close together, say
an inch apart. Put them in room where
the temperature is never less than 100
| and averages 500, and they will in three
| weeks develop their graceful spikes. The
| Easter or Bermuda lily, now 50 popular
| for decorations, is being forced in i'm.
mense quantities. The treatment is al,
| most identical with that of the tulip or
! hyacinth, only it requires q longer time to
be placed in heat and light to develop Its
llOhCi' L vi SAGliIlJlb, tlltlu NdLlIEJ lOf the
! Christmas holidays must be put into
heat (butonly after the roofs are formed in
| pots or boXes) not later than November /,
or about eight weeks before the flowers
| are desired. In the sunless cold winter
months it viii reqirc not less than ten Or
twelve weeks for development.
There is curious scientific question in
| volved concerning this lily It's origin has
been traced to the island of Bermuda,
where it was supposed it "sported - from
the old trumpet lily, Liljltm LORgifOrunl,
| which it very much resembles, except that
| 1t is nearly double in size and almost
ver-blooming. The smallest bit of root
| even the scale " of the bulb-dcyelops a
| flower. This tloriforous quality is entire
ly unknown in its prototype, and it is sup
| posed that long continuance of culture in
| the genial climate of Bermuda has
| brought about these results Although
Bermuda is under the British Govern
ment, the value Of this wonderful produc-
ton was first discovered in Bermuda by
an American florist, who has SO monopo-
lized the crop that Britain will have to OBJ
tain her supplies through u New York
florist. 1t is claimed that nearly half a
million bulbs of this lily are grown in
| Bermuda this season. This immense
| quantity will no doubt reduce the price
| two years ago it sold at 800 fer one
hundred bulbs