18 BULKETI^" 10?2. T. S. DEPAET:Nn:XT OF AGEICTLrUEE. 



one dropper, the roots always indicating the original position but no 

 roots appearmg from the dropper, vrhich is always more heavily 

 coated than the normal bijlbs. 



THE BULB HOUSE. 



The house in vrhich tuhps are handled should have provision for 

 the perfect control of both ventilation and light. The heat condi- 

 tions vrill be subject to the nattiral fluctuations of the temperature 

 of the region. 



The conventional structure for this purpose has not less than one- 

 third of its wall space made up of partly glazed doors extending from 

 the floor nearly or quite to the ceiling. The interior arrangement 

 is such as to admit of storing the bulbs in layers 4 to 5 inches deep. 

 This is accomplished by the use of stationary shelving or trays, as 

 shown in Plate XTT. Figures* 1 and 2. and Plate XIII. Figure 2. 



The shelves may be built in. about 15 inches apart and 2^ feet 

 wide. They are usually constructed 5 feet wide, with a partition in 

 the center, thus making two shelves, back to back as it were. 

 Between these double rows of shelves are aUey^^ays about 3 feet 

 wide, to permit getting the bulbs in and out. 



Trays are stacked in racks made to receive them. They have an 

 advantage over the shelves in that they can be placed closer together, 

 thus economizing storage space; but the trays have the disadvantage 

 of requiring a ^eater width of alley than the solid sheK. The alley- 

 ways for the trays must be wide enough to permit carrying through 

 them the trays loaded with bulbs. 



The size of the tray will depend upon a mans notion of conven- 

 ience. Those employed by the Bureau of Plant Industry at present 

 are 4 feet square and 2 to 2^ inches deep. They should always be 

 constructed of matched lumber, to prevent even the smallest bulbs 

 from falling through and thus mixing stocks. The Plant Industry 

 tray is a 2-man tray; a few trays, however, 2 by 4 feet, can be 

 handled by one man. Some prefer a tray about 3 feet square, which 

 can be handled by one man. 



One grower has made his trays 3 by 9 feet. (PI. XIII, Fig. 2.) 

 These have 2^uich blocks under their comers, so they can be stacked 

 one on top of the other in piles without racks. These have the 

 advantage of economizing space, but the disadvantage that a tray 

 can not be removed at will for use or for examination without moving 

 all above it. This form of tray is better adapted to large than to 

 small quantities of bulbs of one variety. 



THE MANAGEMENT OF THE BULB HOUSE. 



Given control of the two factors of ventilation and light, it is a 

 comparatively simple matter to cure tulips properly in practically 

 any region in this coim.try that is adapted to growing tulips. Dry 



