COMMERCIAL DUTCH-BULB CULTURE. 33 
The commercial forcing of bulbous stocks need not be considered 
here, for the grower will refer to the columns of the trade papers, 
where special departments in charge of experts keep growers in- 
formed of the most approved methods of handling bulbs, based upon 
long experience. 
MISCELLANEOUS BULBS. 
Besides tulips, narcissi, and hyacinths, scores of other bulbous 
stocks are offered for sale as Dutch bulbs. They are of easy and 
profitable culture and can be readily grown by methods similar to 
those employed with the others. Importers and seedsmen handle 
some or all of them each autumn, and some of the varieties are within 
the reach of all. Some of these groups deserve a bulletin to them- 
selves. All of them can be produced in this country. Of those wdiich 
are especially easy of culture the following may be mentioned: 
Chionodoxa (giory-of-the-snow) ; eranthis (winter aconite) ; crocus; 
anthericum (St. Bernard's-lily and St. Bruno's-lily) ; galanthus 
(snowdrop) ; Spanish, English, Dutch, and oncocyclus iris; Helle- 
borus (Christmas and Lenten roses); montbretia; muscari (grape 
hyacinths); scilla; camassia; leucojum (snowflake) ; puschkinia; 
triteleia; ornithogalum (star of Bethlehem). 
BULB PESTS. 
During the past 10 years the Department of Agriculture has im- 
ported Dutch bulbs annually. While an effort has constantly been 
made to get clean stocks, there has been no way of compelling compli- 
ance with its injunctions in this respect. So far as can be deter- 
mined the stocks secured have been no better than the ordinary com- 
mercial importations. It is believed, therefore, that we have had a 
good chance to get all the maladies to which bulbs are heir. This 
brief statement given here relates only to those maladies with which 
we have had to deal. 
INSECTS. 
For years the most talked-of bulb pest has been the narcissus fly 
(Merodon equestris). This insect can be detected late in autumn 
by the ;4 feel " of the bulb, the affected bulb being lighter in weight 
than the healthy ones and soft. If squeezed between the thumb and 
forefinger the larva, or maggot, half an inch in length and a trifle 
less than one-fourth inch in diameter, will commonly be forced out 
of the neck. Usually but one maggot is in a bulb. If late planting 
occurs there is an opportunity at that time to pick the bulbs over and 
destroy those affected. Again, in early spring, as the plants are com- 
ing through the soil and up to the time they are 4 or 5 inches high, 
