4 BULLETIN 132*7, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
DETRACTING CHARACTERISTICS 
Without doubt the best horticultural varieties in the genus are 
included in the species Muscari botryoides. All the varieties of this 
species, however, have one characteristic which somewhat detracts 
from their value in herbaceous borders when compared with 
other early-flowering bulbous plants. This is their long vegetative 
period. The leaves appear above ground in late August or early 
September and continue in vegetative condition until the following 
June, long after the plants have blossomed. On this account this 
group is not adapted for planting in lawns, and if put in herbaceous 
borders it must have its tops left undisturbed when cleaning-up time 
comes for most plants in the fall. On Puget Sound M. conicum is 
practically evergreen. 
The following varieties experimented with begin top growth in 
late summer and autumn and go through the winter in vegetative 
condition. All except Muscari azurea and its variety amphibola are 
very closely related and possibly may belong under M. botryoides, 
although several are listed as species in commerce : Muscari azurea, 
M. a. amphibola, M. botryoides, M. b. Heavenly Blue, M. b. coeru- 
lea, M. b. conicum, M. b. alba, M. b. cornea, M. argei, M. elegans, M. 
neglectus, M. polyanthus, M. racemosus, M. szovitzianum. The fol- 
lowing remain below ground until spring: Muscari monstrosum, M* 
paradoxum, M. comosum plumosum, M. latifolium, M. moschatus, 
M. m. major. 
WHO SHOULD GROW THE STOCKS 
The production of grape-hyacinth bulbs is a line suited to the 
small rather than the large grower. These bulbs are not adapted 
for handling in large masses; indeed, disaster is very likely to follow 
an attempt to so handle them. The best producer will be one who 
has a small acreage intensively cultivated and will be content with 
a production of 100,000 or 200,000 bulbs well grown and perfectly 
" cured " before being put on the market. A crop of 100,000 bulbs 
can be produced biennially on about one-fifth of an acre, and it is 
not unlikely that this is all one grower should attempt, at least 
until he has thoroughly familiarized himself with the crop and its 
peculiarities. 
The writer is fully aware that these views may be questioned by 
some who have found a few Muscari bulbs in beds and borders of 
such easy culture. But in spite of the ease of culture it is desired to 
repeat that to succeed one must first get clean stock and see that 
it is so maintained, for neglect of the stocks on the shelves for five 
or six days may mean irreparable losses. Indeed, the freshly dug 
bulbs may begin to slough their coats in 36 hours if left in lug boxes. 
SOILS 
The grape-hyacinth plants are very adaptable to soil conditions. 
Any good loam is satisfactory and if the drainage is properly taken 
care of will produce good crops. But while this is true, it is impera- 
tive that a friable loam be had for any considerable commercial 
production. Undoubtedly a sandy -loam is best, all things considered. 
Here the cost of fertility will be higher, but the labor bill will be 
