14 



BULLETIN 797, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



on the moisture present and the eifect of the sun on the bulbs. Some 

 varieties, and young bulbs especially, burn in a few hours and conse- 

 quently must not be left exposed for any length of time. 



In the Virginia fields the narcissus bulbs are plowed out, the 18- 

 inch bed being split, one-half being turned each way. The furrow 

 slice is then raked with a tined hoe, to pull out the bulbs. We are 

 informed that since the war the Netherlands also has resorted to a 

 10-inch plow for digging, as in planting. There is no doubt that 

 narcissi, especially the larger sizes, can be successfully harvested by 

 machinery. In the department's operations a potato digger was em- 

 ployed one year, with rather poor success, though the writers do not 

 feel satisfied that it received a thorough trial. The operation of 



planting unquestion- 

 ably will have to be 

 so adjusted as to per- 

 mit digging by ma- 

 chinery in comniercial 

 operations. 



Various suggestions 

 have been made, but 

 thus far experience 

 has approved no 

 process of harvesting 

 bulbs with machines. 

 It is understood, of 

 course, that the use 

 of machinery in dig- 

 ging will necessarily 

 change the method of planting, and virtually the entire scheme of 

 operation. Both stationary and tractor engines have been suggested 

 for power and a potato digger and plow operated by horses have been 

 tried, but thus far nothing has been definitely decided for or against 

 any power method. 



STORING AND CURING. 



Bulbs are stored and cured in specially constructed houses arranged 

 with a view of getting the maximum of ventilation. The buildings 

 are usually large and roomy, with doors (preferably in part of glass) 

 reaching from ceiling to floor and occupying half of their walls. 

 The interior arrangement of these houses varies. Sometimes they 

 are equipped with stationary shelves a foot or more apart and 

 about 3 to 4 feet wide, extending from floor to ceiling, with narrow 

 alleyways between. (Fig. 9.) In other cases a stationary frame- 

 work is built to receive removable trays. Occasionally this frame- 

 work is constructed in units and is movable. Nurseries at Eureka, 



Pig. 9.- 



-Temporary storage of narcissus bulbs in an old 

 barn. 



