THE DAFFODIL : ITS ROOT PROGRESS. 



163 



THE DAFFODIL: ITS ROOT PROGRESS FROM PLANTING 

 TO FLOWERING. 



By W. Bartholomew, F.R.H.S. 



There is very little literature on the Daffodil, and what there is con- 

 cerns the flower only. 



The greater part of this information is only to be found in the cata- 

 logues of bulb merchants and bulb-growers. 



These sources give an excellent idea of the colour, shape, and special 

 points of each variety, and one catalogue in particular gives L the very 

 important information as to the order in which they flower. 



It is generally understood that August to September is the proper 

 time to plant bulbs — a conclusion arrived at by experience — but I cannot 

 find that any special observations or experiments have ever been made to 

 determine accurately how long these bulbs remain dormant naturally 

 (dry and cool storage will compel them to be dormant) ; nor could I find 

 whether certain bulbs require earlier planting, or any information as to 

 the length of these roots ; nor is it common knowledge what growth the 

 roots have made when the plumule first appears. 



Being anxious to acquire this information, and thinking that some 

 exact knowledge of the behaviour of the roots of Narcissi from planting 

 to flowering would be some little addition to the literature of the 

 Daffodil, I proposed to myself the following questions, to be answered by 

 experiments. 



Questions to be Answered by Experiments. 



(1) What is the natural period of rest required by Narcissi after the 

 foliage has died down, and do some varieties require earlier planting than 

 others, or are all alike in activity, in the desire to root ? 



(2) What number of days elapse between the first signs of rooting 

 and flowering, and do all varieties demand the same period ? 



(3) Have the roots attained their maximum growth when the plumule 

 first appears, or do the roots and plumule grow simultaneously ? 



(4) What length of roots have these bulbs at flowering, and do all 

 require the same depth of soil ? 



(5) Do all roots strike vertically, or do some prefer a horizontal 

 course ? 



(6) Do all varieties show signs of rooting earlier in water than in 

 soil, and will an experiment with similar bulbs in water and in soil 

 simultaneously indicate which prefer 'moisture and which well-drained 

 soil ? 



(7) Do bulbs at a depth of four inches from ground-surface enjoy 

 comparative warmth in winter and coolness in summer ? 



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