THE DAFFODIL: ITS ROOT PROGRESS. 



178 



Third Week in August. 



'Flora Wilson,' ' Poeticus ornatus,' 'Queen of Spain,' 'Albicans,' 

 ' Emperor,' ' Prins Metternich,' ' Orange Phoenix.' 



The Bulbs Most Active in Soil. 



'Jaune Supreme,' 'Mont Cenis,' 'Grand Monarque,' ' Campernelle 

 rug.,' ' Falstaff,' 'Poeticus ornatus,' 'Queen Bess,' 'Mrs. Langtry,' 

 • Minnie Hume,' ' Stella.' ' Autocrat,' ' Princess Mary,' ' Golden Spur.' 

 These indicate a preference for well-drained soil . 



Bulbs Most Active in Water. 



' Prins Metternich,' ' Flora Wilson,* 1 John Bain,' ' M. M. de Graaft',' 

 ' Cernuus,' ' Obvallaris,' ' Orange Phoenix,' ' Queen of Spain,' ' Albicans,' 

 ' Emperor.' These indicate a preference for a moist soil. 



' Princess Mary ' and ' Cernuus plenus ' absolutely refused to grow in 

 water, although they showed signs of rooting as recorded (see 8 and 9 in 

 figs. 35 and 37), but ' Cernuus plenus ' grown in sharp road grit had 

 perfect roots (see photo). 



Bulbs Equally Active in Water and Soil. 



' Jaune Supreme,' ' Grand Monarque,' ' Queen Bess,' ' Cernuus 

 plenus,' 'Cernuus,' 'Obvallaris.' 



At the close of my observations my only regret is that I had not 

 more varieties to report on, as, if these tables are of any value, their use- 

 fulness would have been extended, but I may add to these another year. 

 In that case I should propose to extend the information sought to the 

 following questions : 



(1) What date does the foliage die down and date of lifting (noting 

 whether a wet or dry spring). 



(2) Compare length of roots at lifting with those at flowering to see 

 if there has been any increase. 



A bulb-grower in Cambridge informs me that in the case of ' Albas 

 plenus odoratus ' they considerably lengthen their roots after flowering 

 the first year, and is of the opinion that growth continues on without a 

 break until the foliage dies down the second year ; after that they do not 

 increase ; they are usually lifted in the fourth year. Experiment No. 2 

 may throw some light on this. 



