14 



BULLETIN 28, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



have paid from $500 to $2,000 for the stock of a variety of narcissus 

 of exceptional merit, possibly not so much on account of the intrinsic 

 value of the variety as because of the rivalry of enthusiasts in secur- 

 ing and controlling the entire stock of meritorious varieties. 



It is an established fact that the narcissus in variety can be success- 

 fully grown commercially in various sections of the United States. 

 At Portsmouth and Richmond, Va., Santa Cruz and Ukiah, Cal., and 

 in other sections the growing of the narcissus, either for cut flowers, 

 bulbs, or for both, has developed into an industry of considerable 

 commercial importance. 



The slabs and young bulbs that are being grown to maturity and 

 the matured bulbs grown for cut-flower production are planted in 



Fig. 13. — Flowers of the Double Van Sion narcissus. The flower on the right is an 

 average normal well-developed one from an imported bulb grown at Washington, 

 D. C, for one season (fall until spring) ; the one on the left is a typical specimen 

 of an abnormal, greenish flower from a home-grown bulb that had been grown at 

 Washington, D. C, more than one season and is absolutely worthless. 



the fall, 4 to G inches apart in narrow beds and covered with from 

 3 to 5 inches of soil. The flowers are harvested and sent to market in 

 early spring. The bulbs are left in the beds undisturbed for two or 

 three years; then, when the foliage matures and turns yellow, which 

 under normal conditions is in June and July, the bulbs are lifted, 

 cured, and graded, the largest ones sold, and the others replanted in 

 the fall and treated as before. 



Narcissuses have become acclimated in practically all of the old 

 gardens in the United States and each spring add beauty and charm 

 to the landscape. 



