PRODUCTION OF GRAPE-HYACINTH BULBS 9 
MERCHANTABLE STOCKS 
Bulbs of the leading varieties of Muscari, such as Conicum, 
Heavenly Blue, and Coerulea, especially inrported ones, are mostly 
small, being only 5 to 6 centimeters. Such stocks under good cul- 
tural conditions can be produced in one year from bulb lets 3 to 4 
centimeters in circumference. The 5-centimeter bulbs will always 
flower, usually with a single spike. In two years without trans- 
planting they may reach 7 to 9 centimeters, and a third year if reset, 
set up, and spaced bulbs of Muscari conicum will reach 10 to 12 
centimeters and throw three to five flower stems. 
Manifestly the bulbs should be sold and bought according to size 
for definite purposes. The smaller bulbs (5 to 7 centimeters) are 
well adapted to outdoor use, but the larger ones are more suitable 
for growing in pots. Small bulbs should be employed for 
naturalizing. 
In the feathered hyacinth the 9-centimeter bulb indicates normal 
maturity. The group reproducing from seed only may be repre- 
sented by Muscari azurea, which should be- 
come 4 to 5 centimeters in size the second 
year and flower full the third. A full-sized 
bulb of this variety is from G to 7 centimeters 
in circumference. Bulbs 2 and 3 years old, 
well grown from seed are the salable ones. 
PROPAGATION 
There are no difficulties attendant upon 
the increase of stock in this group when one 
is familiar with the characteristics of the 
varieties. The methods of reproduction varv fig. i— Muscari piunwsum, 
-,i ,, ... i j. i T j • j J showing that the repro- 
witn the varieties, and three distinct pro- Ruction in this variety 
cedures are employed in the reproduction of aLifSm** t0 that ° f a 
the different members of the genus. 
In the feathered hyacinth (Muscari comosum and its variety 
plumosum) the bulb splits naturally, very much like that of the 
daffodil (fig. 1). The bulbs may be broken apart at the base and 
grown exactly like Emperor or Empress daffodils. These varieties 
produce no seeds and are entirely dependent for their increase on the 
splitting of the bulbs. 
On the contrary, the Muscari botryoides group reproduces by pro- 
ducing small globular bulblets, sessile or on short stocks, at the base 
of the mother bulb, very similar to a gladiolus corm (fig. 2). These 
bulblets, which may be 6 to 20 or more in number, are 2 to 3 centi- 
meters in circumference. They constitute the planting stock by 
which the variety is increased. 
The third method of reproduction is by seed. This method is 
applicable to all species except such as MitscaH cornosum, which is 
sterile. But in the case of M. azurea there is little or no reproduction 
of a vegetative character, and the only practicable way to increase 
stock is by seed (fig. 3). 
