PRODUCTION OF TTJLIP BULBS. 25 



Wlien proper control of the bulb house is not possible, it is a good 

 plan to pile the bulbs higher on the shelves and cover them with 

 buckwheat hulls or old burlap sacks. 



The above relates to the stock which is to be marketed. The small 

 bulbs which constitute the planting stocks are put through the fan- 

 ning mill and then returned to the shelves, where they remain until 

 required for planting. They should be handled with just as much 

 care and in practically the same way as the bulbs which are to be 

 marketed. On account of poor aeration it is not safe to pile the 

 smaller sizes of bulbs as high on the shelves as the larger bulbs. They 

 must be kept from molding and from too rapid drying out. In the 

 climate of Bellingham, Wash., when digging is done in July and 

 planting in August, difficulties of this nature are not serious. 



PACKING TULIPS FOR SHIPMENT. 



Many methods are employed in packing tulips for shipment, the 

 main requisite being a well-aerated pack. For short shipments and 

 small packages aeration need not be considered, but large quantities 

 must be aerated lest they should heat. 



The most satisfactory shipments are made in perforated paper 

 sacks holding 250 to 400 bulbs, like those used with imported bulbs. 

 These sacks are packed in slatted crates holding 15 to 20. Shipments 

 may be made both with and without buckwheat or other chaff be- 

 tween the bulbs, and apparently with good success in either case. 

 Often bulbs of the cheaper sorts from Holland placed loose in slatted 

 crates arrive in good condition. The more expensive sorts are 

 always packed with greater care. 



Sacks for large shipments are not always readily obtainable in 

 this country, especially in a strength of stock that is required. The 

 Bureau of Plant Industry has used a square-bottomed sack of sterling 

 leather paper having a bursting strength of about 55 pounds, but 

 about 75 pounds is safer, and this is what is used by the foreign 

 grower. Since there is some moisture present, it is important that 

 the sack be well glued. The sacks for large shipments are about 9 by 

 19 inches, and when filled hold 250 to 400 bulbs. The top is folded, 

 so that a tie once around each way with a stout cord holds. (PL XIV, 

 Fig. 1.) At times, cloth sacks holding 1 peck have been used with 

 satisfaction, but there is objection to cloth for the reason that the 

 aeration is not so good as with the perforated paper sack. 



The style of crate used by the Bureau of Plant Industry has varied 

 from year to year and, of course, will vary until a bulb business 

 develops in some locality where cooperation and teamwork will 

 standardize operations and materials. The crates now employed 

 are about two-thirds the capacity of the larger Dutch crates. 



