96 THE SEED-GROWER. 



Besides in California, flowers also grow to great per- 

 fection in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, and in 

 fact in the entire Pacific coast section. 



BULBS. 



Bulbs to be merchantable should be full-grown, not 

 too young, and must be large and handsome in size. 

 Such, besides being sure to bloom, generally produce 

 the finest flowers in the greatest profusion. A bulb 

 will flower poorly or not at all, if it be too young or 

 not fully matured; and it will rot quickly, or not stand 

 transportation if not properly cured. 



Most varieties require at least three seasons from off- 

 sets or bulblets before they will be sufficient^ matured 

 to be marketable. For illustration, take the hyacinth. 

 In its case, as described hereafter under hyacinth, from 

 four to six seasons of growth are required to produce 

 the finest bulbs, which should measure from 8 to 10 

 inches in circumference. The particular and minute 

 care bestowed by the Hollanders in the production of 

 hyacinth and other bulbs is recommended to all who 

 engage in bulb-growing. 



At present, practically all the fall planting bulbs 

 used in America, as well as in other parts of the world, 

 are grown in Holland, which country for many genera- 

 tions has enjoyed a monopoly of the business. These 

 bulbs include the hyacinth, tulip, narcissus, crocus, 

 iris, etc. , of which the annual importation in our coun- 

 try totals many tens of thousands of dollars. The Hol- 

 land bulb land consists of about 5,000 acres, valued at 

 $3,000 to $4,000 per acre. Nevertheless, this expensive 

 land earns a net annual profit of 16 per cent, from the 

 growing of bulbs. The nearest to the Holland soil as 

 well as the climate, as yet discovered in the United 



