THE PRODUCTION OF NARCISSUS BULBS 5 
burlap to prevent excessive drying. The handling will not be 
essentially different from the handling of normal stock. 
PREPARATION OF THE BULBS FOR PLANTING 
In order to distribute plant material uniformly for the purpose 
of cropping all areas alike, careful sizing of the planting stock of 
bulbs is advisable. This is accomplished fairly well by separating 
the bulbs into four sizes, which are the main ones used in the in- 
vestigations of the department. The circumference of the bulbs of 
different sizes in centimeters and the number planted to the row are 
as follows : 1 Bulbs 10 to 12 centimeters in size, 11 to the row ; 8 to 10 
centimeters, 14 to the row ; 7 to 8 centimeters, 21 to the row ; 5 to 7 
centimeters, 35 to the row. 2 
Bulbs of larger size are planted 9 or even 7 to- the row. At times 
stocks under 5 centimeters are to be planted and are put in as close as 
50 to a row. It has been our practice to set up none of the larger 
daffodil bulbs measuring less than 10 or 11 centimeters. 
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL 
For good results the soil in which daffodils are planted should be 
naturally friable and well and deeply cultivated. The importance 
of this will be seen when it is realized that the roots go down in soil 
of the proper tilth 12 inches, and the bulbs, are set 4 inches deep. 
It is evidently necessary to have the soil in tilth to such depth that 
the roots can penetrate easily and without getting into water stand- 
ing over a, hard impervious subsoil. Thorough pulverizing, render- 
ing the soil friable and of easy penetration by moist ure, is imperative. 
The necessity for such preparation will be all the more apparent 
with a realization of the possibility of deep culture no more fre- 
quently than once in two years. 
PLANTING 
The planting of daffodils does not differ essentially from the plant- 
ing of many other bulbous stocks. In this country no general prac- 
tice has been established, but in foreign countries, particularly the 
Netherlands, the bed system is universal. These beds are 1 meter 
(3 feet 3 inches) wide, alternating with 12-inch paths. This is the 
most intensive method of culture. 
The growers of Paperwhite Grandiflora bulbs in both California 
and Florida plant them 2 inches apart in rows 15 inches apart. Some 
growers in Florida plant in single rows 2 to 3 feet apart and employ 
horse or tractor cultivation. The. growers of daffodils for cut flowers 
in portions of Virginia use the wider row space and employ horse 
cultivation or frequently none. In some cases double rows, about 3 
feet on centers, are employed. 
1 The rows referred to in this bulletin extend across a ?»-foot bed and are G inches apart. 
2 12-centimeter hulbs are approximately lh inches in diameter. 
10-centimeter bulbs are approximately 1| inches in diameter. 
8-centimeter bulbs are approximately 1 inch in diameter. 
7-centimeter bulbs are approximately ];! inch in diameter. 
5-centimeter bulbs are approximately T 9 ff inch in diameter. -^ 
1 centimeter in circumference equals approximately one-fifth inch in diameter. 
