Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-29

AS the steamers make the trip from
Bermuda TO New York I'm seventy hours,
the lily-growers are enabled TO send the
cut-lowers without much risk, and they
can afford to sell them at such cheap
price that the American growers are COM
pletely crowded out of the field. The
loose flowers last almost as long as when
on the potted pant. and for decorations
answer the same purpose
When received here, they are In bud
form, packed In alright cases and each
Individual bud is carefully wrapped In
cotton. They are allowed to so remain
until few hours before they are wanted
for use. After being in water short
time, they unfold and become fully de-
veloped flowers.
II is said by florists here, however,
that the quality OF an Easter lily dew
eloped under this process does not COM
pare with those grown In greenhouses.
Moreover, II Is claimed that the practice
OF cutting the loose flowers Is calculated
to eventually destroy the. crop. and for
this reason less cut-nowers have been
shipped this year than for long time.
A combination OF the United States grow
ers and developers OF the Bermuda Easter
lily was formed last year, which Is calcu-
lated to destroy the CUSTOM. AT con-
ference of growers It was decided that
cutting the flowers weakened the bulb,
and in consequence the stock became dis
eased. The inevitable result in time
would be the extinction OF the entire
crop.
FORCING THE BLOOMS.
Forcing the Easter lily 10 bloom Just
at the desired season is the result OF
much calculation on the part OF the grow
ers. The Easter lily Is a short-llved plant.
as far as it's bloom is concerned. the
blossoms or flowers lasting only about two
weeks. IL expends all lis strength for the
time being in that one blossoming. after
which the flowers fall. and for that reason
do not bud again. Consequently 1t - I'M
peratiVe that this blossoming should take
place at the Easter season. The bulbs are
sent from Bermuda the preceding July and
August. Florists and growers here pot
them and keep them In their greenhouses,
treating them by series Of clippings so
that they will bloom at Easter time.
OTHER EASTER FLOWERS.
Florists in this country. az a matter
Of business protection. are trying more ana
more each year to have other flowers
share the Easter glory with the NY
The florists find 1t uphill work, but as the
demand for Easter flowers is steadily
kiOWlI5 IC 10 Adiil9 fNNNN-HAe''
of the valley, which is really not lily
at all. IL one of his favorites. 1t has
matted. creeping, fbrous root, studded II
regularly with ivory white points known
to the florists as p!ps. or these he puts
fifteen in a pot some three weeks before
Good Friday, packs rich soil about tnem'
then sets them in q dark, warm place for
fifteen days. Here the pips put on seven
league boots Of growth and push up as
ell a a
higher than the hand the pot is set In the
light, kept at high heat, and given water
plentifuly-wlth the result OF bringing
them to full flower In time for the holiday.
This is why white lilac 10 so plentiful
about the holidays. Either purple or Per-
sian lilac becomes white In such process
OF forcing. A much more troublesome
flower to force is the rhododendron, but
with care and patience magnificent results
are possible. So. too, with the heath lam
fly, sworn autumn flowers that they are.
All the lilacs, too, are grown as pot
plants, Of course suitably dwarfed. That
is mostly the work Of foreign gardeners,
though, who send over yearly new speci-
mems Of their skill.
Another woody plant that is Joy at
Easter time is the hydrangea. Indeed.
there Is no more snowy one, nor any
whose beauty Is OF more enduring quail
Nv. Not content with Natures whites and
pinks, those gentlemen, the gardeners
now give us a blue hydrangea. To make 1t
II Is wholly the product of art-they take
q slip OF some strong growing white sort,
root It we'll and stimulate 1t TO the most
vigorous growth. Then they mix iron
filings in the earth of the pot and water
It with alum water while the flower heads
are forming. They come out In panlcles
deeply, beautifully blue, wonderfully
handsome, and striking for all their artl-
fee.
one florist estimates that there Will be
fullv 24O0OCOO lilies blooming throughout
This country on Easter Sunday next.