SEPTEMBER: SECOND WEEK 233 



Beiges, Robert Steiger, red; Jacques, Gertrude, pink; Yel- 

 low Hammer, Ida, yellow. 



Late — La Franchise, white; King of Blues, blue; King of 

 Yellows, yellow; Etna, dark rose; Queen of the Pink, pink. 



Almost all above are old standard single sorts; the new 

 named sorts show improvement in size and color. 



It is advisable to make out your order for bulbs as early 

 as possible. Orders are filled in rotation, as the supplies 

 arrive — practically all the spring-blooming bulbs are im- 

 ported — and if there is a shortage the late buyers are the 

 ones who have to accept substitutes or go without. Plant- 

 ing should not be done too early, but it is always advisable 

 to have the bulbs on hand so that they can be put in at 

 once when conditions appear favorable. The object is 

 to get a good root growth without having the tops start. 



It is a great mistake, however, to send in an order before 

 you have taken the time carefully to figure out your needs. 

 As a general rule, you will get more satisfaction for your 

 money by avoiding ready-mixed collections and varieties 

 about which you know nothing except that they are low 

 priced. Estimate carefully the amount of space you can 

 devote to bulbs, keeping in mind that all the spring-flower- 

 ing sorts may be used in a double-flowering system, with 

 annuals or bedding plants set out in late spring in the bulb 

 beds. Or the bulbs may be put in the rose bed, or the hardy 

 border, to bloom early and be out of the way. 



As to the proportion of each kind of bulb to order, that is 

 a question both for personal taste and for the results which 

 are aimed at. For design beds and formal effects, hyacinths 

 are the most reliable for uniformity in height, color and time 

 of blooming. Fortunately, however, design beds, dis- 

 figuring the otherwise pretty lawns of small places, are less 

 frequently seen than they were a few years ago. 



TuHps, through the development of many splendid new 

 varieties that have increased season of bloom and range of 

 colors, particularly in the more artistic and delicate shades, 

 have gained greatly in popularity during the last decade. 

 Many of the new sorts are fine for cut flowers, as well as 



