THE PRODUCTION OF NARCISSUS BULBS 31 
Provide good fertility, but let it be neither excessive nor raw. 
Be constantly on the lookout for a single large grub (greater nar- 
cissus fly) in a bulb. Use every means to eliminate it. Numerous 
small grubs (lesser narcissus fly) in rotted bulbs are to be looked 
upon as a consequence and not the cause of the rotting. 
Practice rigid rotation. Let two years intervene between two suc- 
cessive crops on the same land. 
Remember that the sale of all the big bulbs is incompatible with 
the maintenance of stocks in the large trumpet varieties. 
Do a good job of farming. This crop will respond quickly and 
make returns on the extra care. 
Consider very carefully the varieties which are to be grown. 
Do not allow cheap or nonsalable varieties to accumulate unduly 
simply because planting stock is available. Better sacrifice such 
material than to spend money growing it. 
Do not jump at the conclusion that stocks are diseased because they 
are (1) not growing or reproducing well, (2) have coats blackened, 
(3) have eroded bases, (4) have some rotten bulbs present when dug 
or on the shelves after they are dug. Think ! Have the stocks been 
mistreated ? Are your cultural conditions responsible ? 
Remember that excellence of stock is accomplished in the greatest 
measure by culling out imperfect and undesirable individuals when 
growing in the field and in the bulb house after digging. 
Experience covering two or three biennial digging periods is nec- 
essary to enable the grower to form an accurate estimate of the suc- 
cess of his venture in the production of this crop. 
In marketing Paperwhite Grandiflora do not furnish the cus- 
tomer bulbs in which excessive future divisions are already laid 
down, but instead a round, preferably single-nosed, big, compact 
bulb (measuring 12 centimeters and up) which has only just come 
up to size, under good fertility, from a split. 
Do not market small, starved, and imperfect bulbs. Grow them to 
maximum size. Produce them plump, fat, and firm. Such bulbs 
are the only ones which will create respect for the grower, be a 
success with the consumer, and reflect credit upon the efforts to 
produce home-grown stocks. 
