Hozv they Groiv Bulbs in Holland 



309 



is prepared to suit one or the other stages 

 of growth. The soil for the youngest has a 

 large proportion of sand, and as I examine 

 it now, it seems quite two-thirds sand and 



Fig. 2 — Bulb shewing base cut away. 



one-third black muck. The soil for the 

 second year's growth seems about half-and- 

 half, and that for the third year only about 

 one-third sand. 



All who have had experience with Hya- 

 cinths know that little pointed bulbs are 

 formed at the base of the large bulbs. These, 

 after they get large enough to form roots, are 

 removed from the parent bulb and put out 

 to grow mature bulbs, which they will do in 

 two or three years. These, however, do not 

 furnish bulbs as fast as required, and re- 



course is had to other methods to hasten the 

 formation of young bulbs. One plan is to 

 make cuts across the base of the bulb, as 

 shewn in the engraving, fig. i. This is 

 done in June, after flowering, and the cut 

 bulbs are replaced in the ground. They 

 throw out around the cuts a great many young 

 bulbs. They are planted in a mass with- 

 out separation the first season, the second 

 divided, and in three years make strong 

 flowering bulbs. 



Another plan is to cut about one-third of 

 the base of the bulb entirely away, leaving it 

 somewhat hollow, as shewn in the engraving 

 fig. 2, This is not done until July or 

 August. By this process an immense num- 

 ber of young bulbs are formed from the cut 

 scales, but not as large in size as by the pre- 

 vious process. This plan gives the greatest 

 number, but it takes longer to bring them to 

 perfection — usually four years, and occa- 

 sionally longer. Some varieties succeed best 

 by one process and some by the other. New 

 sorts are, of course, grown from seed, and 

 seedlings bloom the fourth year, and it takes 

 many years to get up a stock of any new 

 variety. 



The soil is so porous that no tool or im- 

 plement is used in digging, and experienced 

 workmen rake the bulbs out of the mellow 

 soil with their hands much faster than one 

 could count. — -James Vick. 



