THE PRODUCTION OF NARCISSUS BULBS 7 
chickweed succumbs to this treatment. If it is kept down absolutely 
until it is too cold for it to grow there is little trouble with it in the 
spring. 
CULTIVATION 
The cultivation of daffodils when planted in beds is a compara- 
tively simple matter and neither burdensome nor irksome if the 
labor is performed punctually. Contrary to the general belief, but 
little handwork is necessary on the beds except with certain varieties 
which are weak growers, do not cover well, or do not for any reason 
make thick or perfect stands. Toward spring the use of the weeder 
knives must be dispensed with, and some form of scratching or har- 
row attachment must be used in the cultivation. 
After the plants are a couple of inches high no form of wheel-hoe 
cultivation is practicable on any miscellaneous planting of daffodils, 
and with most of the vigorous varieties none is necessary, for soon 
after this they cover the ground so as to keep weeds down quite well 
(PL II). Weeds can not be much of a factor in a crop of this kind. 
After this there is a reversal of the cultivation. Weeds will still 
grow in the paths, where there is less shade and competition. The 
cultivation before the plants are up is done across the beds usually, 
but after this it is directed along the paths only. 
When the variety for any reason does not cover the ground fairly 
well by the time it is in blossom, handwork is necessary. In this case 
a light narrow hoe with the blade about 3 inches wide is preferred to 
be used between the 6-inch rows. A three-prong cultivator hoe is also 
employed. One good job of cleaning out the weeds is usually all that 
is necessary even here. 
In regions where weeds grow all winter the case is different and the 
bed system to a proportional degree is less advantageous. 
MULCHING 
It is reported that daffodils are mulched in the Netherlands the 
same as hyacinths, but only about half as heavily. In this country 
mulching is nowhere practiced, so far as is known, unless the thin 
coating of manure which is added for fertility the season they are 
not dug may be considered a mulch. In the region of Bellingham, 
Wash., it has not been considered necessary, but no comparative 
tests have been made with and without it. It is realized that a mulch 
might be necessary on certain soils which heave badly, but the advice 
here should be to keep off of such soils. 
There is, however, no injury from a mulch with daffodils as there 
is with tulips, and so far as a manure mulch is concerned the bulbs 
are tremendously benefited by the fertility added in this way, but here 
no thought is given to a mulch for protection from cold. 
SPRING WORK ON THE BEDS 
Aside from the cultivation and roguing there is little to do on the 
beds in the spring until the tops die down in late June. At this time 
it has been the practice to hoe the beds and remove all the debris 
from them with a rake. This debris, consisting of leaves of the plants 
and weeds, should be composted and put on ground not to be used 
