THE MADONNA LILY 9 
PLANTING 
This topic has been discussed in part under the subject of propa- 
gation. It remains to consider here the method of handling the 
bulbs and bulblets which go back into the field, be it remembered, 
ye later than the first half of September and very much better in 
ugust. 
As is advisable with all bulbous stocks, it is desirable to size care- 
fully the planting stock, so as to secure a more even distribution of 
the plant material. This sizing is all handwork, for these bulbs 
can not be handled by any mechanical sizer yet invented. Its ac- 
complishment gives an opportunity to cull out questionable material 
at the same time. Where any considerable quantity of bulbs is 
handled it will usually be found advantageous to make three sizes. 
The first, or largest, made up of bulbs 10 to 15 centimeters (3.94 to 
5.91 inches) upward, should be set up at regular intervals in what- 
ever form of planting is adopted. The next size should also be set 
up, but the smaller size may be strewn along the rows without any 
attempt at an upright placement. 
The form of the planting will depend on circumstances and the 
desires and preferences of the grower. In this country the tendency 
is toward a thin planting in rows 214 to 38 feet apart, with the 
plants, depending upon their size, spaced from 6 inches apart for 
the large bulbs to an inch or less for the smallest bulblets. In this 
sort of a planting horse or wheel-hoe cultivation is practiced. ~ 
The Dutch bed method of planting has some decided advantages 
over any other which has been tried in its adaptability to a more 
economical use of fertility, to economy of space, and, in the writer’s 
opinion, to economy of labor. 
When this form of planting has been used, the scheme for tulips 
and daffodils has been modified so that the 6-inch row has been 
widened to 9 inches, and only five to seven of the larger bulbs are 
set in the 3-foot row across the bed. In this case the bed may be 
laid off as for a 6-inch row, but the planting is done on the 6-inch 
line and midway between lines, giving a 9-inch space between the 
planted rows. This modification is necessary for the larger sizes 
only. When the smaller sizes are planted, the 6-inch row is adopted 
again. 
PA very good modification of this Dutch bed system may be made 
by planting in rows lengthwise of the bed. In this case 8-inch rows 
are advantageous, every sixth row being left vacant for a path be- 
tween the beds, thus forming a 40-inch bed. 
In practice, this longitudinal-row bed method can be opened up 
and covered with a hand plow. This plow will not usually open a 
furrow deep enough for setting the big bulbs with their roots on. 
Hence, in this form, as well as in planting the Dutch bed proper, 
a garden trowel must be employed to increase the depth for the 
roots. The depression made by a hand plow can be made just right 
for the smaller sizes, however. The Madonna lily may be planted 
shallower than many species. 
An economic comparison of the bed and row methods is not easy, 
and it seems better simply to mention both methods without attempt- 
ing to decide between them. The row method has the single advan- 
tage of making it possible to use horse power a part of the season 
30122°—25 2 
