Evening star., 1935-04-21


problem. What is the real reason for
this seemingly magical" effect? Can
the same thing be done with other
dubious plants? Is there something
here of far-reaching significance for
agriculture in general?
In respect to this one plant-ex-
periments, thus far, have been con-
fined to q single species and the
refuse to generalize-it
seems to have been proved that there
is no true dormancy. That there was
such a period when activity sup
posedly was entirely suspended has
been practically dogma of botanists.
They do not know. as yet, what
happens. Presumably, the speeding
up of activity is due to some chemical
process effected by temperature. This
most probably Is concerned with the
behavior of carbohydrates in the pc
culiar combination in which they oc-
cur in the daffodil bulb.
As DESCRIBED by D. Victor
= Lumsden, horticulturalist now
conducting the experiments at Belts
vile:
"The development Of a vegetative
growing point through its period Of
scale and flower differentiation pro-
crosses as follows: In the Spring, or
about the time the bulb flowers, mic
roscopic observations will reveal the
origin Of a new growing point at the
base Of the scale of the differentiat-
ing flower which will blossom one year
later. In the Fall. at the time the
bulbs are again planted. this point
will have developed so that two or
three scales have split of. This de-
velopment progresses while the bulbs
are on storage during the Summer.
BY the time of digging the following
Spring this growth region will have
developed to the point that five CT
seven scale leaves and three or four
foliage leaves have been formed and
the flower for the next Spring will
already have started to differentiate.
Three generations for single bulb
seems to be the limit. Mr.. Lumsden
says. Examination shows that the
minute portion of the bulb which will
become the flower of two seasons
hence is made of fresh cells. If kept
in dry storage for two seasons, it
seems, the flowers inside the bulbs ac-
tually eat up the substance of the
container. The bulbs shrivel and die.
All the time that the flower is de-
veloping inside there Is absolutely no
sign of activity outside. So long as
moisture is kept away there are no
sprouts. Exactly what sets of the
"shell-breaking" process is another
mystery to plant Psychologists. The
day when flowers can be awakened
into life and blossoming at any time
with "shot" of some chemical still
is afar of.
The Department Of Agriculture spe-
cialists have made intensive studies Of
forcing the season for lilies-o of the
valley.
The lily-of- the valley of commerce
Is the common garden variety which
bears small white, very fragrant. bell
shaped flowers. The natural habitats
Of this plant are the mountains Of
Virginia and North Carolina and sew
eral mountainous areas of Europe
and Asia. Probably greater quantities
are found today in their natural en-
vironment in the province of Hanover,
Prussia. than anywhere else in the
world.
MANY millions of stocks for plant
" ing-or "pips," as they are known
to the florist trade-are grown annu-
ally in Germany and the Netherlands.
Berlin and Hamburg are the chief
centers Of the industry. The pips are
exported chiefly to England and the
United States. In Germany they are
grown by farmers, who utilize the re-
mote corners of apple orchards to in
crease the family income. Each year
they are dug and sold to a central
packing concern.
American growers go to Germany
each year to pick out their planting
stock. For the most part, however,
the pips are purchased at the dock
after thorough inspection. There
are two chief types-thoSe for early
forcing and those for late forcing.
The first arrive in America in late
October or early November. They are
kept In storage in refrigerators until
approximately three weeks before the
time when they are to be cut. For
the Christmas trade q full 2l-day Pc
riod Is allowed between the planting
and cutting dates. The cold weather
at this season can be depended upon
to hold back the crop, If necessary.
II Easter comes early 20 days should
be allowed; If late, 10 days is consid-
cred suficient. II too much time Is
given for development of the crop and
there Is warm weather, it Is rather
difficult to retard growth. The new
crop pips are usually at their best for
Easter, because it is within . few
weeks Of their natural blooming sea-
son.
aynv,ara tt,rs humidity and venfiIa.