Position forcing bulbs with the necks protruding slightly above the planting medium. Moisten the soil thoroughly after potting. Then, place the pots outdoors in a trench or cold frame and cover with a 6-inch layer of sand, peat moss, or cinders. Instead of putting them outdoors, for the formation of roots it may be more convenient to place the potted bulbs in a cool attic, a closet, an attached garage, or in the cool part of a basement. Constant temperatures below freezing and above 50°F. should be avoided. If possible, keep the potted bulbs in darkness while the roots are forming. Bulbs put outdoors need protection from mice. Do this by leaving some poison rodent bait in the trench or cold frame when the bulbs are put there.

   Constant moisture during the period when roots are forming, and after growth begins, is vitally necessary for bulbs. When leaves and flowers start into growth, severe drought, either in the soil or in the air around them, may cause buds to wither and die without ever opening.

   Six to ten weeks are required for spring-flowering bulbs to form a good root system. For example, bulbs planted October 1 could be brought out of storage in late November for blooming in late December or January. However, only very early-blooming varieties should be chosen for this kind of treatment. The time required from the beginning of forcing (when you bring bulbs into a warm, sunny atmosphere) to blooms varies according to temperatures, amount of light, varieties, and time of year. At a temperature of 65-75 F, forcing early in the season requires about four weeks. The colder the temperature, the slower the blooms will develop and the higher will be their quality. Also, as the season advances toward spring, bulbs come into bloom more quickly than they do in early winter.

   To have a constant succession of bulb bloom, a schedule will be helpful. For example, to force one pot of six tulips, daffodils, or hyacinths into bloom every ten days to two weeks from late January to April 1, plant approximately forty-eight bulbs of each. For bulbs planted October 15: