18 PIOTOBIAL PBAOTIGAL BtJLB GBOWIlTG. 



tnaterial to the liglit for the development of the flower. The absence 

 of light prevents the excitement that goes to the swelling of the 

 spike, and the bulb has nothing else and nothing better to do than to 

 emit abundance of sound roots with which to imbibe food for the 

 benefit of the plant at a later date. The disadvantage of having 

 to give water in the very early stages lies in the danger of the soil 

 becoming sour, simply because there are no roots actively working in 

 it^ Of course, it is better to apply water than to allow the compost 

 to remain perfectly dry for any length of time, but it is desirable 

 to avoid it, if possible, by the means indicated. 



Many growers of bulbs have to neglect the plunging entirely, 

 simply because they have no available place. Dwellers in towns 

 suffer most in this direction, but they need not despair of being 

 able to produce fine Hyacinths, Tulips, Narcissi, or other bulbous 

 flowers, provided they have a dark cellar or cupboard whose tem- 

 perature is not too warm and dry to accommodate the pots during 

 the stage at which they would be plunged under more favourable 

 conditions. When this means of starting the bulbs has to be 

 resorted to, the utmost care must be taken in the watering that 

 will have to be done, giving only snfiicient to keep the soil just moist 

 from the surface down to the drainage. The pots ought to be 

 examined as frequently as possible, so as to guard against absolute 

 dryness, as when this state is reached it is most diSicult to get the 

 soil moist again without having recourse to plunging in a bucket, 

 w^hich is undesirable. 



The length of time during which it is essential that the pots 

 shall be plunged varies considerably, as it is affected by the time of 

 potting, by the temperature of the plunging bed, and the earliness 

 of the sort. The usual period is six weeks, but it is preferable to 

 lay down no hard and fast rule, as one can easily decide the correct 

 moment for removal by frequent examinations made after the pots 

 have been buried for between three and four weeks, by which time 

 distinct advance will be evidenced. In the dark the initial move- 

 ment in the bulbs will be towards the production of roots, and when 

 upon examination it is found that the top has grown to the size of 

 a fine Filbert Nut, it is almost invariably safe to assume that roots 

 are sufficiently numerous to warrant the removal of the pots from the 

 plunging material into the light, when the energies of the plant will 

 be about equally divided between the growth above and below the 

 surface. (See Fig. 3b, p. 17.) 



Material for Plunging.— The best material for this purpose is 

 undoubtedly cocoanut fibre refuse, as it is light, warm, impervious 

 to light, and will turn a fair shower of rain. Failing this, ashes may 

 be employed, but unfortunately vsome coals produce ashes containing 

 a property poisonous to the tender top growth, and disaster follows ; 

 for this reason they should be avoided if anything else can be secured 

 at moderate cost. Dry leaf mould is successfully used by some 

 cultivators, but with this again there is an element of danger, as it 

 may contain insect or other pests which will find in the sweet, tender 



