I.909-] 



Narcissus Cultivation. 



907 



gather the flowers in the bud state, open them in water, and 

 thus ensure all his bloom reaching the market clean and in 

 good condition. 



To avoid glutted markets, it is sometimes desirable to 

 prolong the bloom for a few days ; this is done by placing 

 the buds in water in a cool, shaded shed. The best re- 

 ceptacles in which to place the blooms are narrow troughs or 

 boxes divided into several sections each about four inches 

 wide. 



In the Fen district the work of gathering and bunching 

 is generally done by women and boys. The gathering 

 should be done by boys whenever possible, as the women's 

 skirts cause considerable damage among the growing blooms. 

 As the bloom is gathered it is placed upright in boxes or baskets, 

 then taken to the bunching room, where it is tied into bunches 

 of twelve blooms each by the women workers. The aim of 

 the buncher is to have all the blooms facing one way with- 

 out presenting a crowded appearance, and the addition of a 

 little narcissus foliage to each bunch is a considerable improve- 

 ment. Foliage, however, must not be indiscriminately cut 

 from the growing crop. Only a leaf or two should be selected 

 from each plant ; or a cheap, vigorous variety such as single 

 Incomparabilis may be grown purposely for the supply of 

 foliage. The bloom when cut is benefited by having one 

 night in water before being packed, and, in any case, it 

 should certainly have an hour or two in water before being 

 put into the boxes. The flowers then reach their destination 

 in a much fresher condition than if cut and packed forth- 

 with. 



Most commission salesmen supply boxes, and into these a 

 certain number of bunches are put. All boxes should be 

 papered, allowing sufficient paper to project over the sides 

 and ends to cover the bloom completely when packed. The 

 boxes should not be unduly crowded, as a lesser number of 

 bunches nicely tied and carefully packed will realise more 

 than an increased number of bunches crowded into a similar 

 box. A small label stating the contents of the box should 

 be tacked outside each, and the boxes then tied in bundles 

 of two or three together. The work of gathering, bunching, 

 and packing is generally done by the piece or per gross, and 



