DISEASES AND INSECTS. 61 



roots proceed, appears as if eaten out on the side ; and the 

 scales at that part have dry, black edges. When, therefore, 

 there is but little of this disease in the bulb, it is very diffi- 

 cult to be ascertained ; and it must be particularly looked 

 for when the bulbs are about to be put into the ground, as 

 it will not only destroy the infected bulb, but all those that 

 are healthy near it. A bulb so attacked, must, therefore, 

 be thrown away. 



" Third, The rot is easily known when it is once fairly 

 begun. It is generally found in the scales near the heart 

 of the bulb ; and, to discover it, the point of the bulb should 

 be cut off horizontally with a sharp knife. If the bulb is 

 affected with this disease, a yellowish or brownish stripe 

 will be seen between the scales, and all the part thus dis- 

 colored should be cut away till it is completely eradicated ; 

 but, when it reaches farther than half of the bulb, it is past 

 remedy, and the bulb must be thrown away. Great care 

 must, however, be taken, in cutting off the point of the bulb, 

 not to injure the germ which has formed inside of it ; and, 

 when this is likely to be the case, the cuts should .be made, 

 not horizontally, but in a slanting direction, towards the 

 point of the bulb, so as not to run any risk of cutting off 

 the extremity of the incipient flower. 



