. .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 iover of flowers there is no class 

 of plants so much prized as tho-^e which are 

 produced from bulbs. '1 he reason is easily 

 luund, because within the bulbs are stored 

 all the future glory of leaves and flowers, 

 only requiring the simplest culture to de- 

 velop them in their hi£;hest perfection. Suc- 

 cess is therefore the rule. 



Another reason why bulbs are prized so 

 highly is that a large number of ihem pro- 

 duce their flowers in very early spring, when 

 the rest of nature is asleep. Then it is that 

 a clump of Snowdrops, Scill.ns, or Chino- 

 doxas impart to the garden an air of w.nrmth 

 and cheer that cannot be accomplished in 

 any other way. Following these modest 

 flowers come the showier Crocus, Narcissus, 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, etc., in all their dazzling 

 colors, keeping up a continuous display 

 well into the summer. With no other ma- 

 terial can be secured such a wealth of 

 ch.irming flowers of infinite variety of form 

 and coloring, with so little trouble and at 

 A Bed of Cottage Maid Tulips (Baltimore, Md.). so small an outlay. 



A FEW CULTURAL HINTS. 



Note The follo-vins^ cultural hints apply especially to tlie latitude of Philadelphia. South of us it is quite possible to plant out 



bulbs as late as Christinas, while at points north of Philadelphia they should plant 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 plant 

 all kinds of spring-Bowering bulbs. The larger part of the bulbs ofiered 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 \intil October and November, and can be sfnt at once on their arrival. 



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

 make a good growth beiHre the 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 apply well-rotted cow or sheep manure or bone- 

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

 age. A small quantity of sand or fine co.nl-ashes at the base of each bulb when planted in stiff soil will be beneficial. In plant- 

 ing 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 litter, 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 kept 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 pots, pans or boxes, and be left in the open air, covered 

 few inches of ashes or soil, until the earlh begins to freeze, and 



with 



then placed in a cool greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 

 50 degrees. They will need, occasionally, moderate watering after 

 they are brought inside. Or the pots, pans or boxes may be placed at 

 once, afier potting, in a cool, dark cellar, watering well and cover the 

 s.ime as above. The whole success of pot culture depends upon get- 

 ting 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 60 degrees or 

 over. After ihis the bloom is easily developed by giving light and 

 water and one can have a supply of flowers from Christmas until after 

 E isier by regulating the time of bringing them to the light. 



GLASSES for HYACINTHS. 



Either shape in Am- 

 ber, Green, Amethyst 

 Hlue, Clear or Crystal. 

 18 Cts. each; $1.75 

 /ilJllilll P^"" '^"-• 



Tubes for use in 'he 

 tall shape, allowing 

 the removal of roots 

 irom glass without 

 disturbance. 10 cts. 



Tall OR Belgian , ^ „ 



Shapb. each; $1.00 per doz. 



Glasses can not be sent by mail. 



Sqi'at or Tve 

 Shape. 



fSHB 



