172 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The behaviour of ' Orange Phoenix ' is also very interesting, the 

 longest dormant, yet within seven days of being the first to flower, and I 

 observe there is only one day difference in flowering in water and soil 

 after roots appeared, a very consistent bulb and with perfectly shaped 

 roots. (See 5, 5a in figs.) 



The flowering stage was first reached by 1 Cernuus ' (in soil) in 172 days, 

 followed a few days later by 'Obvallaris,' 'Golden Spur,' and 'Orange 

 Phoenix.' 



' Jaime Supreme,' which showed such activity in producing rootlets, 

 took 227 days to show a bloom. 



This bulb evidently requires a long time to develop a flower, and this 

 remark also applies to ' FalstafY,' ' Mont Cenis,' and ' Queen Bess,' all of 

 which root early and flower late. 



On referring to column (/), I notice some bulbs reach the maximum 

 of root-growth before the plumule appears, such as 1 Emperor,' ' Cernuus 

 plenus,' and ' Grand Monarque,' while others are only one-third the 

 maximum (more or less). ' Princess Mary ' was not one third. 



The average length of roots of the twenty-four varieties is nine inches, 

 'Autocrat,' 'Minnie Hume,' 'Pceticus ornatus,' ' Campernelle rug.,' 

 and ' Jaune Supreme ' being amongst the longest. ' Mont Cenis ' was 

 fourteen inches. 



The length of roots grown in soil exceeds those grown in water (see 

 figs.). 



The number of rootlets to each variety vary enormously, the maxi- 

 mum being 161, the minimum 12. 



Equally as various is the appearance of the roots, some hair-like, 

 some cable-like ; but I certainly think the hair-like roots suggest refine- 

 ment of the flower. 



Narcissi roots are not much affected by disturbing them whilst grow- 

 ing, and their vitality is very great. 



Each month I disturbed twenty-four (one of each variety), and after 

 examination these were replanted in another part of the garden in the 

 hope that they would flower ; cn one occasion they were lying on the 

 garden-path twenty-four hours (December 26) before replanting. 



All flowered well a few days later than those undisturbed, except 

 ' Cernuus,' ' Queen of Spain,' and ' M. M. de Graaft',' and these were about 

 fourteen days later. 



The conclusions these tables suggest are briefly : 



Bulbs that should be Planted First Week in August. 



'Jaune Supreme,' ' Mont Cenis,' ' Falstaff,' 'Queen Bess,' ' Minnie 

 Hume,' ' Princess Mary,' 'Cernuus plenus,' ' Cernuus.' 



Second Week in August. 



'Campernelle nigulosus,' 'Jchn Bain,' 'Mrs. Langtry,' 'Stella,' 

 ' Autocrat.' 



