100 THE SEED-GROWER:° 
therein the bulbs are planted about six inches apart, 
being covered about four inches. Smaller, or not fully 
grown bulbs, are planted closer together and not cov- 
.ered so deeply. The beds are raked and kept clear of 
weeds, and about December Ist, or before winter ap- 
pears, they are covered with the reeds which grow 
numerously along the canals in that country. First 
there is a layer of old reeds which were used the year be- 
fore, and then a layer of new reeds to the depth of several 
inches, the whole being fastened down by pegs. Early 
in March, when danger from frost is past, the covering 
is removed and the beds are cleaned and then raked. 
They are now given a watering of cow dung and water. 
The beds are kept free from weeds, and in April when 
blooming takes place, the flowers are examined and 
impurities removed. The flowers are then cut off, 
so as to throw the whole vigor of the plant into the 
bulb. These cut blossoms are removed from the beds, 
as they are unsuitable for fertilizer and would cause rot 
in the bulbs. 
In July harvesting takes place. The leaves are cut 
off, a shuffle-hoe being used for the purpose, and the 
bulbs are removed with the hands. They are next 
placed in trenches and covered with earth, in which 
they are allowed to remain from one to three weeks to 
yipen. They are then spread thinly in storehouses to 
dry. Finally, the tops are cut off closely to the bulb 
and the bulbs are cleaned and sorted. 
Overgrown or unshapely bulbs are used for propagat- 
ing. These are selected as soon as the bulbs are taken 
out of the ground. Three deep cross-cuts are made 
with a sharp knife in the bottom of each bulb. They 
are planted out, bottom upwards, and covered with 
loose soil. In two or three weeks the cuts open 
