THE EASTKK LILY IN NORTHERN CLLAIATES. 2Y 



and had an added covering of another foot of dry leaves. These 

 bulbs kept in good condition up to the 1st of May. 



SIZES OF MERCHANTABLE BULBS. 



Imported stocks of Easter lily bulbs range in size from 6 to 12 

 inches in circumference, the price charged being roughly propor- 

 tional to the size of the bulb and indicating in a general way that 

 there is merit in large size which is of advantage to the florist. 

 There is a difference of opinion on this point, and some of the best 

 growers use the smaller sizes. 



Commonly, the prices quoted are the same per case for all sizes. 

 In a recent quotation by one of the leading importers, five sizes of 

 Formosums, running from 6 to 11 inches, are advertised at the same 

 price per case ; but the number of bulbs in the case varies from 100 

 for the large size to 350 for the smaller. Here there is a difference 

 of 3^ to 1 Avhen the number of bulbs is considered. 



It is believed that the yield from the successful culture of im- 

 ported bulbs is somewhere between three and five flowers per plant 

 for all sizes. There are no comparative records of the performance 

 of different-sized bulbs available, but practical growers express sat- 

 isfaction with the yield mentioned. 



Investigations by the Bureau of Plant Industry are not yet ex- 

 tensive enough to warrant more than partial conclusions with ref- 

 erence to these matters, but the few records which have been made 

 are very suggestive and seem to indicate that the performance of 

 domestic stocks is superior to that of the imported Ijulbs; at least, re- 

 sults which are superior to those just mentioned are secured. This 

 may be due to the better condition of the bulbs, owing to the short 

 time during Avhich the domestic stocks are out of the ground. It is 

 not believed that the manner of handling accounts for the better 

 behavior. Whatever be the cause, it has been possible to obtain an 

 average yield of more than five flowers from bulbs only 5 to G inches 

 in circumference, the smallest size that the florist uses, or smaller. 



This in reality is a very important matter. It means that if sat- 

 isfactory results can be secured under forcing conditicnis from do- 

 mestic bulbs 5 to T inches in ciicumference, they can be produced 

 abundantly in one year from stem bulblets. This is not less than a 

 year shorter time than is at present required to produce bulbs in 

 foreign countries. 



It should be noted that the best of the stem bulblets will blossom 

 the first year of indepentlent existence and grow to forcing size. 

 (Fig. 13.) In one test an average of more than two flowers per bulb 

 was secured under forcing conditions from 110 selected biilblets. 

 some producing five and six flowers. (Fig. 14.) 



