Narcissus and Daffodil

Economics of bulb production 139
could well be performed by the main drying store, and hence this cost could
be avoided.
2 Well designed and operated hot-water treatment (HWT) equipment is essential.
However, costs could be shared by the establishment of a central HWT system,
used by several growers.
3 Post-HWT cooling is also essential, as is a well laid out treatment site in order
to prevent re-contamination of treated stock and to ensure that bulbs are
cooled rapidly following HWT. The cost of a simple building is included,
though the holding of treated stocks outdoors is practiced by some growers.
Holding and cooling treated stocks indoors will require suitable ventilation to
avoid damage to health from the formaldehyde fumes resulting from HWT.
The cooling of stocks in drying stores after HWT is not recommended.
4 Bed former.
5 Stone and clod separator.
6 Bulb planter.
7 Haulm topper.
8 Bulb lifter.
9 Handling equipment: pre-storage cleaning and post-storage riddling is taken
as being relatively simple, with no great degree of grading or any bagging being
included.
10 Drying equipment is included both for bulk (‘loose’) handling and for handling
in boxes.
11 Boxes for where bulbs are handled in bulk bins rather than in loose bulk.
Whilst all items likely to be required have been identified and costed, a grower
already growing root crops, potatoes or onions may well have sufficient equipment
available for the handling of bulbs. Potato or onion harvesting and post-harvesting
handling equipment and boxes can all be used, with minor modifications, for the
bulbs. Onion driers/stores operate on very similar principles to bulb stores and
could therefore be used for bulbs. Redundant potato stores could be adapted for
bulb drying and storage.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author thanks Mrs. J.E. Hawley (ADAS Consulting Ltd) for the provision of
business management data and help with the text.
REFERENCES
ADAS (1984) Narcissus, planting density for 1 and 2 year down crops. ADAS Research and
Development Reports. Agriculture Service. Bulbs and Allied Flower Crops 1983. Reference Book
232 (83). MAFF (Publications), Alnwick, pp. 1–2.
ADAS (1985a) Narcissus Bulb Production. Booklet 2150. MAFF (Publications), Alnwick.
ADAS (1985b) Narcissus, planting density for one and two year down crops. ADAS Research
and Development Reports. Agriculture Service. Bulbs and Allied Flower Crops 1984. Reference
Book 232 (84). MAFF Publications, Alnwick, pp. 2–4.