100 THE SEED-GROWER. 



therein the bulbs are planted about six inches apart, 

 being covered about four inches. Smaller, or not fully 

 grown bulbs, are planted closer together and not cov- 

 ered so deeply. The beds are raked and kept clear of 

 weeds, and about December 1st, or before winter ap- 

 pears, they are covered with the reeds which grow 

 numerously along the canals in that country. First 

 there is a layer of old reeds which were used the year be- 

 fore, and then a layer of new reeds to the depth of several 

 inches, the whole being fastened down by pegs. Early 

 in March, when danger from frost is past, the covering 

 is removed and the beds arc cleaned and then raked. 

 They are now given a watering of cow dung and water. 

 The beds are kept free from weeds, and in April when 

 blooming takes place, the flowers are examined and 

 impurities removed.- The flowers are then cut off, 

 so as to throw the whole vigor of the plant into the 

 bulb. These cut blossoms are removed from the beds, 

 as they are unsuitable for fertilizer and would cause rot 

 in the bulbs. 



In July harvesting takes place. The leaves are cut 

 off, a shuffle-hoe being used for the purpose, and the 

 bulbs are removed with the hands. They are next 

 placed in trenches and covered with earth, in which 

 they are allowed to remain from one to three weeks to 

 ripen. They are then spread thinly in storehouses to 

 dry. Finally, the tops are cut off closely to the bulb 

 and the bulbs are cleaned and sorted. 



Overgrown or unshapely bulbs are used for propagat- 

 ing. These are selected as soon as the bulbs are taken 

 out of the ground. Three deep cross-cuts are made 

 with a sharp knife in the bottom of each bulb. They 

 are planted out, bottom upwards, and covered with 

 loose soil. In two or three weeks the cuts open 



