COMMERCIAL DUTCH-BULB CULTURE. 11 
may roll off of one tray into another, or when bulbs follow bulbs in 
the rotation the ones accidentally missed in digging and the droppers 
to a large extent may come up in subsequent years, all producing a 
mixture of varieties. To prevent these so-called " rogues " atten- 
tion must be given at the time of flowering and they must be dug out. 
Were it not for the necessity of roguing when the flowers are fully 
open, other practices could be carried on in commercial work, such 
as cutting the flowers in the bud or not allowing them to open at all, 
and this would probably be a benefit to bulb production. However, 
in our work and in commercial work as well, certain benefits accrue 
in public appreciation which amply repay one for leaving the flowers 
until they begin to fade. This also allows the study and comparison 
of the different varieties, which in the rapid changes which take place 
in the relative merits of stocks due to constant improvement is all but 
imperative. 
HARVESTING THE FLOWERS. 
When there is a market for cut flowers from commercial bulb 
growing this is an added revenue. Indeed, in the Virginia bulb sec- 
tion the cut flower is the most profitable end of the business, and 
bulb production is purely secondary. The method of cutting the 
flowers is important. In the Virginia fields, where the stems of the 
narcissus, owing to the rather sudden advent of spring with attend- 
ant comparatively high temperatures, are short, the flower stem is 
pulled in gathering the flowers. In regions where the springs are 
cooler and the stems produced are longer they can be cut to better ad- 
vantage, and this method is better for the bulb crop. In harvesting 
flowers from tulips, care must be taken not to rob the bulb of its 
leafage. In most sections it is not practicable to harvest tulip flow- 
ers for sale, except to a limited extent from the robust late varieties 
which have a fQot or more of stem above the upper leaf. In re- 
moving tulip flowers after they have faded no leafage is destroyed, 
only the flower and 2 or 3 inches of stem being removed. The hya- 
cinth spike of flowers is removed by severing the scape, or stem, with 
a knife. 
There is a possibility that a by-product in the form of an essential 
oil may be made an added source of revenue here. 
CULTIVATION. 
There is no uniformity of practice in cultivating Dutch bulbs in 
this country. In the Netherlands the hoe and the hand serve every 
purpose after the plants appear above ground. The hoe for the 
paths and hand weeding for the beds are universal practices. It is 
difficult to use a tool in plantings of bulbs only 6 inches apart. In 
