1909.] 



Narcissus Cultivation. 



901 



labour involved is in keeping the ground clean, and the 

 amount of labour necessary varies according to the condition 

 of the land and the weather. When planting has been done 

 early, say in August or September, weeds will soon begin to 

 show. These can be kept in check by hoeing (large growers 

 use horse labour), provided the weather is favourable. If 

 it is showery, so that hoeing is not effective, the land must 

 be lightly "pointed," i.e., shallow-dug, in order to bury the 

 weeds. For this work a broad-tined fork is the best tool to 

 use, and the most suitable time to perform this work is at 

 the end of October or beginning of November. If performed 

 earlier there is the risk of another crop of weeds appearing; 

 if done later, the bulbs may be too far advanced, and damage 

 may result in consequence. 



During the winter months some growers protect their bulbs 

 from frost by covering the ground with heather or other 

 loose litter, but for the varieties to be recommended this 

 labour is unnecessary. In February, before the foliage 

 pushes through the ground, soot may be applied broadcast 

 and lightly harrowed or raked in. This is especially recom- 

 mended where bulbs have remained in the same position 

 two or three years. 



During the spring months weeds must be kept in check 

 by hoeing and hand-weeding, taking care that the least pos- 

 sible damage is done to the foliage. Treading on the beds 

 is to be avoided as much as possible. When the foliage dies 

 down, if the bulbs are to remain another year, the whole area 

 should be hoed over, and this operation should be repeated 

 two or three times during the summer months, which is all 

 the attention necessary until the period for autumn "point- 

 ing " again returns. 



Harvesting. — As soon as the foliage has died down, a start 

 must be made to raise those bulbs which it is desirable to 

 lift. No time must be lost in this work, as in the event of 

 showery weather fresh roots will very soon be produced, and 

 the aim of the grower is to get his bulbs out of the ground 

 whilst root-growth is dormant. 



Many large growers use the plough for lifting as well as 

 planting. By its use a careful and experienced plough- 

 man and a sufficient number of pickers can lift large areas 



