COMMERCIAL, DUTCH-BULB CULTURE. 27 



dissect a few bulbs. A single case will illustrate the difference in 

 behavior. In bicolor Victoria at Bellingham in 1917 an 11-centimeter 

 bulb was required to insure flowering the next season. Below this, 

 three or four sizes could be separated with ease. In the Sir Watkin 

 variety" many bulbs passing through a 7-centimeter sieve would flower. 

 There is little difference in the size of the full-grown bulbs of these 

 two varieties, although they are very different in appearance. 



The tulip, on the other hand, bears indications of future perform- 

 ance on its exterior. Besides the size indication, there are still 

 others. In the department's work tulip bulbs caught by a 13- 

 centimeter sieve have been recognized as the first commercial size 

 and those caught by a 12-centimeter sieve as the second size. Both 

 of these are flowering sizes and merchantable bulbs. Beyond these, 

 there is still another size taken out by a ll-centimeter sieve, which 

 is designated "toppers." This class the commercial grower usually 

 should not sell but use as propagating stock, for it is here that he 

 gets his strong and nmnerous progenies, and by using these toppers 

 the grower is constantly conducting a selection of value. It is not 

 to be understood that sizes smaller than 12 centimeters will not 

 flower. Far from it, for bulbs as small as 8 centimeters in size could 

 be picked out which will flower well, especially of such varieties as 

 the Artus and the Sir Thomas Moore. 



It is to be taken for granted that bulbs of the same size in the 

 same variety will have practically the same flowering qualities', espe- 

 cially if produced under the same conditions. If, then, when a certain 

 size of bulbs has been segregated it is found that some of them 

 flowered the current year the assumption that all will flower the next 

 year is justified. The bulb of every tulip which flowered the current 

 year bears the evidence of it on its front side. If the base of the old 

 flower stalk is not present, a grooA'e marking its position is always 

 discernible. 



The bulb which will flower next year but which did not flower the 

 current season can always be recognized by its more round appear- 

 ance and long neck. Previous to flowering the bulb of a tulip pro- 

 duces a single but very strong leaf, the base of which is continuous 

 with the outer coat of the bulb. A portion of this leaf base persists, 

 forming the long neck. 



A word of caution is necessary regarding attempts to determine 

 the flowering quality of bulbs by cutting them open. Here, the con- 

 sumer of bulbs has a decided advantage over the producer. As has 

 been stated, the flower bud develops wonderfully in storage. The 

 uninitiated may arrive at an entirely erroneous conclusion if he dis- 

 sects them even late in the season when they have been held at a low 

 temperature, but under ordinary conditions there should be no diffi- 

 culty in finding the flower at planting time. 



