16 BULLETIN 1270, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
was moderate under the circumstances and that it was imperative 
for good production. The results the second year were not so good 
as the first, for the reason probably that the forest debris had gone 
out to a large extent, allowing the soil to get more plastic. 
DAFFODILS A BIENNIAL CROP 
It may be accepted as an axiom that daffodils resent being dis- 
turbed annually. This can be used to advantage in cheapening the 
production of these bulbs. The planting stock should be so sized 
and selected that it will develop into a maximum of merchantable 
bulbs and a complement of planting stock to put back. Objections 
have been heard that stock left in two years is angular and not 
rounded and symmetrical nor as pleasing to the eye. This feature 
can be disregarded when it is known that bulbs with flattened sides 
perform as well as round ones. In the final analysis it is flower pro- 
duction that is the measure of the value. Only in certain sizes are 
imported bulbs nicely rounded off, and they are obtained mainly by 
hand picking the stocks. 
It is possible, of course, to have the bulbs in the ground three years, 
when there will be a large increase and fewer merchantable ones. 
These when set out for a year round off and make fine symmetrical 
bulbs, but the advantage of an annual digging period is not apparent 
when injury to stocks is considered. Of course, the grower may 
find it desirable at times to plant big bulbs, get his large increase 
the first year, and dig and plant a large measure of bulbs which will 
come to the round stage in another season: but when economy of 
time and space, coupled with equal performance, are considered," the 
advantage, it is believed, is with the biennial practice. The situation 
in the case of Paperwhite Grandiflora is different. This variety 
comes along more rapidly, and it is believed that annual digging is 
with it the proper practice. 
CULTURE FOR CUT FLOWERS 
For the production of cut flowers the bulbs are left undisturbed 
for a longer period. The planting and other handling, however, need 
not necessarily vary, but in this country the planting is made in single 
or narrow matted rows far enough apart to admit of horse cultiva- 
tion. In such a planting the bulbs are left undisturbed for three or 
more years, the maximum yield of flowers being obtained about the 
fourth year, depending upon the fertility and care used in general 
culture and handling. In the Virginia region the bulb plantings 
are of indefinite age. 
When bulbs are dug under this kind of treatment there are no 
merchantable stocks and the bulbs are numerous and small. After 
reset ting, it takes; a correspondingly longer period for the planting to 
reach its maximum production again in proportion as the stocks have 
been reduced in size by being left in the ground too long. In the Vir- 
ginia region it is estimated that it takes a plantation three year- to 
come nit" bearing. Just where the point of greatest advantage is in 
the period <>f digging i- not known, for no records have been made of 
ill-' comparative results. The probability is that when yields over a 
term Of years are taken into consideration a period of" four or five 
