..Dreer's Reliable Bulbs.. 



T° 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 stock and expect the fine results obtained 

 from selected bulbs 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. 



A FEW CULTURAL HINTS. 



M 



To the lover of flowers there is no class of plants so much 

 prized as those which are produced from 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 there- 

 fore the rule. 



Another reason 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 come the showier Cro- 

 cus, Narcissus, Hyacinths, Tulips, Iris, etc., in all their dazzling 

 colors, keeping up a continuous display well into the summer. 

 With no other material can be secured such a wealth of charm- 

 ing flowers of infinite variety of form and coloring, with so 

 little trouble and at so small an outlay. 



WHEN TO PLANT.— To the beginner we would par- 

 ticularly emphasize the fact that Autumn and not Springtime 

 is the time to plant all kinds of spring-flowering bulbs. The 

 larger part of the bulbs offered in this Catalogue reach us from 

 Holland in September, and the sooner they are planted 

 after that the greater will be the measure of success ; 

 therefore, ORDER EARLY. 



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 the cold weather sets "in, but they can be set out even later 

 if the bulbs remain sound and 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 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. A small quantity of sand or fine coal-ashes at the 

 base of each bulb when planted in stiff soil will be beneficial. In planting, the bulbs should be placed from an inch to four 

 inches below the surface, according to the size of the bulb. 



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 with a few inches of ashes or soil, until the 

 earth begins to freeze, and then be placed in a cool greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 50°. They will need, occa- 

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

 cool, dark cellar, watering well and covering 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°, before you begin to force the tops at 60° 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. 



P/EONIES. — We show in colors on the cover of this catalogue four varieties of the Double Herbaceous Peonies. This favorite, old- 

 fashioned hardy plant was never more popular than at present. It is one of our leading specialties. For list of varieties and 

 prices see pages 24 and 25. 



Narcissus Stella and Bakrii Conspicuus. 

 See Page 13. 



