THE PRODUCTION OF NARCISSUS BULBS 9 
of the department is being conducted, it is necessary to remove a 
layer of soil 6 inches wide and about 2 inches deep across the bed 
by sticking in the tool and pulling toward the digger. This com- 
monly exposes the tips of the bulbs, which then can be removed one 
or two at a time by another jab of the spade. (PL III, fig. 2.) 
The bulbs are placed in windrows as dug and remain there until 
dried out somewhat, when they are covered with debris. How long 
they remain in the windrow and how they are handled there depends 
upon weather conditions, facilities for handling, and other factors. 
In the Puget Sound region the bulbs can usually remain exposed for 
a day or two if it is not extraordinarily hot. If, however, the bulbs 
are small and free from dirt they should be watched very carefully, 
for even in this cool climate some varieties are likely to be injured by 
the sun. In heavy soils the bulbs come out of the ground with a 
great deal of dirt on them and are consequently not easily injured. 
Sir Watkin bulbs, especially in the smaller sizes, are likely to be in- 
jured even here by the sun. In the Virginia region, however, the 
bulbs should not be sunned at all, for an hour of strong sun here will 
all but ruin many daffodil bulbs which are exposed. 
The bulbs are shaken out with the right hand and thrown into 
windrows in the path. When possible two beds are thrown together. 
The marking stake is removed from its place in the center of the bed 
to a corresponding position in the windrow and left there until 
the bulbs are removed from the field. 
In the culture of the Polyanthus group in rows in the South 
the rows are barred off with a 1-horse plow. The same plow, some- 
times with the molclboarcl removed, is then run under the row. The 
bulbs are then picked out of the loosened soil. Some growers try 
to dig their stocks before the tops are completely dead. It is then 
possible to get them out of the loosened row by the tops and throw 
them in piles, much as onions are commonly handled. In the 15-inch 
row planting the digging is commonly done with a spading fork. 
Digging before the tops are dead should be discouraged. 
DAFFODIL AND TULIP DIGGING COMPARED 
It is harder work to dig daffodils than tulips for two reasons: (1) 
The daffodils usually remain in the ground two years; (2) in the 
Puget Sound climate the roots of the daffodils do not die. They 
are very firmly anchored to the ground at digging time and require 
a strong prying with the digging tool to get them loose. In Cali- 
fornia, and even in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, especially if digging 
is delayed, the roots disappear on most varieties. 
REMOVING LOOSE SOIL FROM THE BULBS 
The implement emplo} T ed to remove the soil from the bulbs after 
the}^ dry in the windrow for a short time is commonly called a 
shaker. It consists of a rectangular box 28 inches wide, 6 feet long, 
and 8 inches deep, having a bottom of a half-inch wire mesh. The 
box has a handle at one end and at the other the wire screen termi- 
nates a foot from the end. Over this opening is fastened a sack 
from which the bottom has been removed. Through this sack the 
bulbs when cleaned are dropped to the lug boxes automatically by 
