BULB CULTURE IN ENGLAND.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9388, 6 March 1909, Page 6

BULB CULTURE IN ENGLAND.

Shipping bulbs from England for cultivation in Holland is akin to ■ending coals to Newcastle. Xet a writer in Chambers’ Journal tells us that an increasing yearly trade is being done in this connection; in fact, English bulbs are achieving a world wide reputation. The centre of this industry is Wisbech, where the Bath floral farms covpr some 90 acres, of which all bnt 10 are-devoted to the raising of narcissus. This is the largest bulb farm in the country, and some very exquisite varieties have been produced here, for which a heavy demand has arisen, not only in this country bnt in Holland. Some idea of the proportions of the export trade from England fto Holland may be gathered from the fact that in a single month recently no less than§l4 tons of narcissus bnlbs were sent across the North Sea for cultivation. Upon this farm, when the bnlbs are being lifed, about 150 women are engaged in cleaning hem ; while planting gives employment to about 90 men and women per field. The results obtained in the Wisbech district have conclusively demonstrated the fact that England can easily compete with Holland in the culture of bulbs if the industry is only carried out upon scientific and well organised lines, snob as prevail upon the JBatb farms.