194 



BULBS 



BULBS 



proper size. The coniraoner varieties of a species usually 

 propagate the fastest, and it is generally these less 

 salable varieties and inferior seedlings and cullings 

 from the named bulbs that go to make up most "mixed 

 colors" and "mixed varieties." Therefore, for best re- 

 sults, it is advisable to expend a given amoiintof money 

 for the first size named varieties, rather than for a 

 larger quantity of cheaper seconds and mixtures, unless, 

 of course, the bulbs are wanted for large permanent 

 plantings, as in promiscuous borders for naturalizing, 

 etc., where best flowers the first season are of secondary 

 consideration. 



The best named hyacinths— "top roots," as they are 

 called in Holland — require from four to six years to 

 attain full size and give be.st flowers. Such bulbs, ac- 

 cording to the variety, should measure from 20 to 24 

 centimeters (8 to 10 in.) in circumference. These nat- 

 iirally cost more to grow than the younger second or 

 "bedding" grade of bulbs, measuring from 18 to 20 cen- 

 timeters (G to 8 in.). There is a third size, ranging from 

 lU to 18 centimeters (4 to 6 in.), that goes in mixtures, 

 and a fourth size {12 to 14 centimeters) that goes out as 

 "Dutch Romans," "Pan Hyacinths," "Miniatures," etc. 

 Some growers even scale their sizes a centimeter or two 

 less than mentioned, to enable them to quote lower 

 prices. Crocus, narcissus, tulips and many other bulbs 

 are also sorted into sizes, enabling the grower to catch 

 all classes of buyers. 



A first-size crocus bulb should measure 10 centimeters 

 (4 in. ) in circumference, and such bulbs produce f I'om 

 6 to 12 flowers each. A small, cheap bulb produces only 

 two or three flowers. A narcissus bulb of maximum 

 size will produce from 3 to 5 flowers (sometimes more), 

 and an inferior size usually but a single flower. A 

 White Roman hyacinth bulb 14- to 16-centimeter size 

 (5-6 in. circumference) will produce 3 and often 4 spikes 

 of firsts and several seconds, while an 11- to 12-centi- 

 meter size will average only one first grade spike and a 

 couple of seconds, or perhaps nothing but seconds. The 

 best lily-of-the-valley pips bear from 12 to 16 bells on a 

 spike, usually all firsts. Cheaper inferior grades of pips 

 have seldom more than 7 to 10 bells. If the florist or 

 planter wants the best bulbs, he must pay more money 

 for them, but they are cheapest in the end, for second- 

 grade stock takes up just as much room and requires as 

 much care, fire, and other expenses. It is the grade of 

 flowers called firsts that sell and pay a profifci The supply 

 of seconds is often so abundant that the market price 

 for them does not pay the cost of the bulbs. 



Catalogue of Bvlb-s.-To aid in the selection of bulbs 

 for particular purposes, we append a list of the leading 

 species that are procurable while dormant (between the 

 months specified) from seedsmen and bulb dealers, and 

 we aflix a sign to each to indicate the purpose for which 

 the species — or certain varieties in it— are adapted. Some 

 kinds are usefiil for more than one purpose, and such 

 have a corresponding number of signs. For example: if 

 a selection of bulbs is to be made for winter-flowering 

 in the house, make a note of those to which an aste- 

 risk (*) is affixed, then turn to their respective headings 

 in this Cyclopedia, where will be found full descriptions 

 of the varieties as well as species — and cultural instruc- 

 tions—which will enable any one to make an intelligent 

 selection. 



For winter-flowerhig bulbs for greenhouse or tvindow, select 

 from species jnarked *. 



For summer- and fall-flowering bulbs for pots for greenhouse 

 and other decoration, select from species marked t. 



For spring -flotvering hardy bulbs forgardetis, laivns, etc. , select 

 from species marked t- 



For summer- and fall-flowering hardy bulbs for gardens, 

 lawns, etc., select from species marked II . 



For summer- and fall-flowering {not hardy) bulbs for spring 

 planting in garden, etc., select fro-tn species marked }.. 



For climbing bulbous plants, select from species marked H. 



Those marked H are hardy ; h.h, half-hardy ; t, tender. 



GENERA, ETC. HARDINESS. DORMANT, 



Abobrall? h.h Oct. to April 



Achimenes t t Oct. to April 



Agapanthus t § H.H Oct. to April 



Albueaf t Oct. to April 



Allium*! H. & H.H Aug. to Pee. 



Alstroemerla + § h.h Sept. to Nov. 



Amaryllis*! t Oct. to April 



Amorphophallus § t Oct. to April 



GENERA, ETC. HARDINESS. DORMANT. 



Anemone* J h. & h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Anomathecag h.h Oct. to April 



Antholyza^ H.H Oct. to April 



Apios H II h Oct. to April 



Arissemat h.h Oct. to April 



Arum *t T Aug. to April 



Babiana* h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Begonia, Tuberous t S t Oct. to April 



Bessera § h.h Oct. to April 



Blandf ordia * t Aug. to Nov 



Bloomeria t h Aug. to Nov. 



Bomareallt h.h Aug. to Oct. 



Boussingaultiallg t Oct. to April 



Bowiea II t h.h Oct. to U arch 



Bravoat h.h Oct. to April 



Brodi»a * t h.h Aug. to Oct. 



Bulbocodium X H Aug. to Oct. 



Caladiurat^ T Oct. to April 



Caloehortus * t h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Cama.ssia II h Aug. to Nov. 



Cannii '^. t Oct. to April 



Chioiiodoxa *I h Aug. to Oct. 



Chlidanthus § h.h Oct. to April 



Colchicum II h Aug. to Sept. 



Commelina § h.h Oct. to April 



Convallaria * t h Oct. to April 



Cooperia ? h.h Oct.' to April 



Corydalis II h Aug. to April 



Crinum t § T Nov. to April 



Crocus * I H Aug. to Oct. 



Crocosmiag h.h Oct. to April 



Crown Imperials! H Aug. to Oct. 



Cummingia t T Aug. to Oct. 



Cyanella t H.H Aug. to Oct. 



Cyclamen Persicum * t Aug. to Nov. 



Cyclobothrag h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Cypella g t Oct. to Dec. 



Cyrtauthus t t Oct. to April 



Dahlias § t Oct. to April 



Dicentra J h Oct. to March 



Dioscoreall II h Oct. to April 



Eranthis X h Aug. to Oct. 



Ereniunis II h.h Oct. to April 



Erythrouium t h Aug. to Nov. 



Eucharist t Sept. to Dec. 



EvuTcles t T Oct. to March 



Freesia* h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Fritillaria * t h. & h.h Aug. to Oct. 



Galanthus* t h Aug. to Nov. 



Galtonia? H.H Oct. to April 



Geissorhizat h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Gesnera*+ T Oct. to April 



Gladiolus § h.h Sept. to April 



GloriosaK t t Oct. to April 



Gloxinia! T Oct. to April 



Griffinia t T Oct. to April 



Ha'manthus t T Aug. to Nov. 



Helleborus t h Oct. to April 



Hemerocallis II h Oct. to April 



Homeria § h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Hyacinth * t H Aug. to Nov. 



Hymeuocallis § t t Oct. to April 



Imantophyllum t t Oct. to April 



Iris, Biilbous*! h. & h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Iris, Rhizomatous, etc. X II h Oct. to April 



Ismene §t t Oct, to April 



Ixia* H.H Aug. to Nov. 



Ixiolirion X h Aug. to Nov. 



Jonquils* X H Aug. to Oct. 



Lachenalia * h.h Aug. to Oct. 



Leucojum-I II h Aug. to Oct, 



Lilium * II H Sept. to April 



Lycoris? t h.h Oct. to April 



Millag h.h Oct. to April 



Montbretia 11 h.h Oct. to April 



Muscaria I H Axig. to Nov, 



N^gelia * t T Oct. to April 



Narcissus *I H Aug. to Oct. 



Nemastylus § '. T Oct. to April 



Nerinef t Aug. to Nov. 



Ornithogalum * ^ h, & H.H Aug. to Nov. 



Oxalis, Winter-flowering * + H.H Aug. to Nov, 



Oxalis, for borders § H.H Sept. to April 



Pffionias II h Oct. to April 



Pancratium t§ T Oct. to Axiril 



Phiedranassa * T Oct. to April 



Polygonatum || H Oct. to April 



Fuschkinia t h Aug. to Oct, 



Ranunculus * h.h Aug. to Nov. 



Richardia * t § T Sept. to Dec. 



Rigidella § T Oct. to April 



Sauguinaria I H Oct. to April 



Schizostylis * g H.H Oct . to April 



Seilla t* H. & H.H Aug. to Nov. 



Sparaxis* h.h Aug. to Nov, 



