14 
BULLETIN 797, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
on the moisture present and the effect of the sun on the bulbs. Some 
varieties, and young bulbs especially, burn in a few hours and conse- 
quently must not be left exposed for any length of time. 
In the Virginia fields the narcissus bulbs are plowed out, the 18- 
inch bed being split, one-half being turned each way. The furrow 
slice is then raked with a tined hoe, to pull out the bulbs. We are 
informed that since the war the Netherlands also has resorted to a 
10-inch plow for digging, as in planting. There is no doubt that 
narcissi, especially the larger sizes, can be successfully harvested by 
machinery. In the department's operations a potato digger was em- 
ployed one year, with rather poor success, though the writers do not 
feel satisfied that it received a thorough trial. The operation of 
planting unquestion- 
ably will have to be 
so adjusted as to per- 
mit digging by ma- 
chinery in commercial 
operations. 
Various suggestions 
have been made, but 
thus far experience 
has approved no 
process of harvesting 
bulbs with machines. 
It is understood, of 
course, that the use 
of machinery in dig- 
ging will necessarily 
change the method of planting, and virtually the entire scheme of 
operation. Both stationary and tractor engines have been suggested 
for power and a potato digger and plow operated by horses have been 
tried, but thus far nothing has been definitely decided for or against 
any power method. 
STORING AND CURING. 
--„-'- 
Fig. 
-Temporary storage of narcissus bulbs in an old 
barn. 
Bulbs are stored and cured in specially constructed houses arranged 
with a view of getting the maximum of ventilation. The buildings 
are usually large and roomy, with doors (preferably in part of glass) 
reaching from ceiling to floor and occupying half of their walls. 
The interior arrangement of these houses varies. Sometimes they 
are equipped with stationary shelves a foot or more apart and 
about 3 to 4 feet wide, extending from floor to ceiling, with narrow 
alleyways between. (Fig. 9.) In other cases a stationary frame- 
work is built to receive removable trays. Occasionally this frame- 
work is constructed in units and is movable. Nurseries at Eureka, 
