78 DAFFODILS — NARCISSUS 



spring this ground was again plowed and 

 harrowed, leaving the soil In a fine mechanical 

 condition — a rich deep sandy loam, with mois- 

 ture holding humus. 



Planting is done in July and August, the 

 bulbs being dropped four to six inches apart 

 in furrows plowed out six inches deep. Five 

 or six furrows, one foot apart, constitute a 

 bed, and the beds are separated by a three- 

 foot walk. These walks are for the conven- 

 ience of the flower gatherers, affording a con- 

 venient place to set the baskets, preventing In- 

 jury to the plants. In early winter a top 

 dressing of strawy manure Is placed over the 

 beds and Is allowed to remain as the growers 

 think that longer stems are thus produced. 



The first spring after planting only a fair 

 crop of medium-sized flowers is produced — 

 possibly because the more expensive, large- 

 sized, bulbs are not planted. But the second 

 year after planting, and for three or four 

 years more, great quantities of long-stemmed 

 flowers are gathered. About the fifth or 

 sixth year after planting the bulbs become 

 crowded as a result of natural increase and the 

 flowers they bear are smaller and less salable. 



