..Dreer's Reliable Bulbs.. 



To succeed with bulbs it is necessary to begin right, by getting sound bulbs of good size, and we would 

 warn intending purchasers against buying cheap, undersized bulbs and expect the fine results obtained 

 from such as we offer. Our sources of supply are the best in this country and abroad, the leading growers 

 of the world having for years supplied us with their choicest stock. 



To the lover of flowers there is no class of plants so much prized as those which are produced Irom bulbs. The reason is easily 

 found, because within the bulbs are stored all the future glory of leaves and flowers, only requiring the simplest culture to develop 

 them in their highest perfection. Success is therefore the rule. 



Another reasbn why bulbs are prized so highly is that a large number of them produce their flowers in very early spring, when 

 the rest of nature is asleep. Then it is that a clump of Snowdrops, Scillas or Chinodoxas impart to the garden an air of warmth 

 and cheer that cannot be accomplished in any other way. Following these modest flowers conu the showier Crocus, Narcissus, 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, etc., in all their dazzling colors, keeping up a continuous display well into the summer. With no other 

 m;Uerial can be secured such a wealth of charming flowers of infinite variety of form and coloring, with so little trouble and at so 

 small an outlay. 



A. FETAT CXJLXXJFtA.L HINTS. 



Note. — The following cultural hints apply especially to the lutitude of Philadelphia. In the South it is quite pos- 

 sible Co plant out bulbs as late as Christinas, while at points north of Philadelphia tfiey should be planted as early 

 as possible after the first killing frost. 



WHEN TO PLANT. — To the beginner we would emphasize the fact that Autumn and not Springtime is the time to ))lant 

 all kinds of spring-flowering bulbs. The larger part of the bulbs offered in this Catalogue are ready to ship by the second week in 

 September, and the Sooner they are planted after that the greater will be the measure of success, more par= 

 ticularly those for indoor culture ; therefore, ORDER EARLY. A few sorts, which are noted in the Catalogue, do 

 not mature until October and November, and are forwarded as soon as ready. 



OUTDOOR CULTURE. — As a general rule, the bulbs should be planted in October and November, so that the roots may 

 make a good growth before cold weather sets in, but they can be set out even later if the ground is not frozen. They require 

 a moderately rich soil that has been well manured for previous crops, or else a|)ply well-rotted cow or sheep manure or bone 

 meal, fresh manure is injurious to bulbs. The soil should be well drained, and no good results can be obtained without free 

 drainage. In planting, the bulbs should be placed from an inch to four inches below the surface, according to the size of the 

 bulb. A good rule to go by is to cover the bulbs with soil one and a half times their own depth. 



When the ground freezes hard the bed should be covered with three or four inches of leaves or lilter, which should be removed 

 in early spring. Too early and heavy covering starts the tops prematurely, which are frequently injured in March by freezing and 

 thawing. After flowering, if the beds are wanted for late spring plantings, take up the bulbs, tops and roots, and "heel in" in 

 some corner of the garden until the bulbs mature, after which they should be spread out in an airy room to dry, and kejH in a cool, 

 dark place until time for replanting the following autumn. 



INDOOR CULTURE. — Bulbs intended for blooming during the winter can be planted from September until November — the 

 earlier the better — in pans, pots or boxes, and be left in the open air, covered with a few inches of ashes or soil, until the earth 

 begins to freeze, and then placed in a cool greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 50 degrees. They will need, occasion- 

 ally, moderate watering after they are brought inside. Or the pans, pots or boxes may be placed at once, after potting, in a cool, 

 dark cellar, watering well and cover the same as above. The whole success of pot culture depends upon getting the roots well 

 established in the pots, at a low temperature of say 40 to 50 degrees, before you begin to force the tops at 00 degrees or over. 

 After this the bloom is easily developed by giving light and water, and one can have a supply of flowers from Christmas until after 

 Easter by regulating the time of bringing them to the light. 



Round Pans for Bulbs. 



The professional gardener invarial)ly uses these in preference 

 to ])ots for growing bulbs in, and amateurs are now also using 

 them extensively ; they present a neater appearance than pots 

 and are better adapted for table use. We can supply in the 

 following sizes ; 



Bulb or Lii v Pan. 



Width. 



Hkight. 



Ea 



rH. 



Dozen. 



(j in. . 



.. ,3 in.. 



..$0 07.. 



..$0 68 



7 " . . 



. . 3.V " . 





08.. 



.. 78 



8 ".. 



.. 4 ".. 





10.. 



. . 98 



9 " . . 



.. 4.\ ".. 





15 . 



.. 1 .SO 



10 " .. 



. . 5 ". . 





1^0. . 



.. 1 (13 



12 " .. 



..6 ".. 





•25.. 



. . 2 28 



14 " .. 



i " . - 





.50.. 



. . 4 55 



16 " . . 



..8 " . 





90.. 



.. 7 80 



18 ".. 



.. 9 " 



.. 1 



25. . 



..11 70 



Glasses for Hyacinths. 



The culture of Hyacinths in glasses has always been pojiular. 

 and if you will use the special 

 selection of varieties ofiered on 

 the opposite page failure is next 

 to impossible. When the Hya- 

 cinths are through (lowering, the 

 glasses are just the thing to hold 

 cut flowers. 



We can supply either the Tall 

 or .Squat shape in Blue, Green 

 or Clear. 20 cts. each; ^-2.00. 

 per doz. 



Glasses cannot be sent by 

 mail. 



Squat or Tve 

 Shape. 



[>R I'.IL- 



Shape. 



(2) 



