12 
BULLETIN 1270, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
stocks. (PL I, figs. 2 and 3.) The real shade of color varies greatly 
with the variety, the nature of the soil in which the bulbs are grown, 
and somewhat on the method of handling, especially upon the 
length of time they remain in the soil after maturity. 
BREAKING THE BULBS APART 
The process of separating the planting from the merchantable 
stock necessitates the breaking of the bulb clump, as in tulips. Here 
also it is advisable to take out the large bulbs by hand. (PL IV, 
fig. 2.) 
In imported stock the bulbs commonly but not always have their 
roots removed, rendering the stock somewhat neater in appearance. 
(PL I. figs. 2 and 3.) This was the invariable practice before the 
World War. but now much of the importation is with the roots on. 
All this root removal, w h i c h 
should be done if at all at the time 
the clumps are broken, is a slow, 
laborious process which is believed 
to be unnecessary. It is all hand- 
work, consumes more time than 
the other part of the operation, 
and it is believed that it can be 
dispensed with. 
The separation of the bulbs va- 
ries greatly with both the condi- 
tion of the stocks and the variety. 
Some varieties are much harder to 
get apart than others. Slabs 
round off and are more easily sepa- 
rated if grown to the right point 
of development before being dug. 
Such forms as Autocrat, for ex- 
ample, round off and make the 
basal separation much quicker 
than Sir Watkin, which is the 
most difficult to handle in this 
respect. Stocks have been seen which were nearly ruined by having 
I lie separation carried too far. It would be better to plant clumps 
;iiid Id them come apart naturally than to carry this breaking 
process too far. Bicolor Victoria is another variety which is likely 
to be injured by careless removal of the slabs. 
In Victoria and also in Sir Watkin the slabs may sometimes be 
well spread from (he bulbs and still attached so firmly by the 
bases thai the basal plate of the slab actually pulls away from 
the bases of the scales and leaves the slab or propagation without 
a base (fig. 1). As a result of careless breaking in these varieties 
(lie (lal slabs rot the next year, hut as they rot small bulblets are 
commonly formed in their angles. These are so small that it takes 
three or more years for them to flower. The only way to avoid 
injuries of this kind is to use care in the breaking of the stocks 
or to plant without separating the tight slabs. 
Some Netherlanders use a knife and actually cut (he bases in Sir 
Watkin. Tin-- i ven laborious and is believed to be decidedlv in- 
I 'i>:. 1. Hull) of Victoria, showing at tl)P 
kit I lie basal plate of the split pulled 
out 
