THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW YORK 



different sizes ; one is usi;ally of large size, and the others grade 

 to bulbs of the size of a kernel of popcorn. 



The experiment mentioned above in connection with the dis- 

 cussion of blind tulips was also planned to determine the per- 

 formance of sister bulbs of different sizes and especially those of 

 the smaller sizes. The weights of the various sister bulbs (each 

 set graded according to weight) and the subsequent performance 

 of these bulbs for the two varieties tested are indicated in the 

 following table : 



Rose Grisdelin: 



Weight in grams 



Number of bulbs 



" blooming .... 



blind 



with scale leaf 

 dead 



Cottage Maid: 



Weight 



Number of bulbs 



" blooming .... 



blind 



" with scale leaf 

 " dead 



19-40 

 35 

 34 



11—29 



35 

 28 



2d Bulb 



3d Bulb 



3-13 



35 



28 



o 



3 



4 



-13 

 29 



33 



12 



6 



7 



I- 4 



13 

 o 

 o 

 9 



4 



4th Bulb 



0.5-4.0 



0.5- 



5th Bulb 



0.5-3.0 

 6 



0.5-1.0 



It will be noted from the weights given that bulbs of Rose Gris- 

 delin made a more vigorous growth than did those of Cottage 

 Maid. This is indicated by the greater weight of first bulbs, the 

 greater number of sister bulbs, and, of course, the greater total 

 weight. 



The performance of bulbs of smaller sizes of Rose Grisdelin 

 is of special interest. Of the 35 second bulbs, the largest of 

 which weighed only 13 grams, 28 bloomed; of 33 bulbs of third 

 rank, weighing from i to 10 grams, 12 bloomed; of the 18 of 

 third rank 3 bloomed, and out of 6 of fifth rank 2 bloomed. 

 Bulbs weighing as little as 2.^ grams (a gram equals 0.0^5 ounce) 

 produced fiozvers. Flowers from bulbs of smallest sizes were 

 small and often poorly developed. The flowers of bulbs of sec- 

 ond rank were nearly always fine flowers, but were somewhat 

 smaller than flowers of first bulbs, the stems were slightly shorter 



205 



