LUTHER BURBANK 



iarly subject to the attacks of various fungous 

 and insect foes. It is in the endeavor to ward 

 off these foes that most bulbs have developed a 

 bitter principle. In many cases, however, the in- 

 sects refuse to be discouraged by the bitter taste, 

 and eat the bulbs with avidity, often working de- 

 struction to the choicest specimens, and making 

 progress impossible. 



To guard against such mishaps, Mr. Burbank 

 recommends that any soil in which bulbous plants 

 are grown should, if possible, be thoroughly 

 sterilized before the bulbs are set out. Where the 

 quantity is small, it may be possible to dig up the 

 soil and sterilize it by baking. When this is im- 

 possible, something may be accomplished by the 

 use of germicides. In recent years Mr. Burbank 

 has used large quantities of a liquid preparation 

 known as tuolene, and he regards this as the best 

 germicide that he has ever used. 



By impregnating the soil with this solution, 

 protection is given the delicate bulbous plants, 

 and they may thrive where, if not given such aid, 

 they would inevitably have perished. 



It is impossible, however, to rid the soil per- 

 manently of all fungous and insect intruders. 

 Where bulbs are grown in the same soil, in suc- 

 cessive seasons, these enemies are sure to accumu- 

 late. Moreover, the roots of plants may give out 

 excretions that render the soil noxious for that 

 particular species. Therefore, Mr. Burbank es- 

 pecially recommends that anyone having to do 

 with bulbous plants should change the location 



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