..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 yeais 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 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 therefore 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 Crocus, ^"arcis.sus, 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, 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 charming flowers of infinite variety of form and coloring, with so little trouble and a( so 

 small an outlay. 



WHEN TO PLANT.— To the be>^inner we would emphasize the fact that A'lt'imii and not Spriiif/tiine is the time to plant 

 all kinds of spring-flowering bulbs. The larger i)iut of tin; bulbs otTered in this Catalo^'ue are rt-ady lo ship by llie 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 rot)ls 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 apply 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. .\ 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 inclies of leaves or litter, which should be removed 

 in early spring. Too early and heavy covering starts the lops 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, which is indicated by the leaves turning yellow, after which they should be 

 spread out in an airy room to dry, and kept in a cool, dark place until the 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 l)etter — in jians, pots or Ijoxes, 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 fifty degrees. They wilf 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 ot 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 60 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. 



" DREER'S HINTS ON THE GROWING OF BULBS."— This is the title of a 78 page book in which we have 

 endeavored to give all the essential details for the growing of the various bulbs offered in this Catalogue. I'rice, 50 cts., or a 

 copv will be sent free to all purchasers of bulbs if asked for :it time of ordering. 



ROUND BFLB OR LII.Y PANS. 



The professional gardener invariably uses these in preference 

 to pots for growing bulbs in, and amateurs are now also using 

 them extensively; they present a neater appearance than pots 

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

 following sizes 



Doz 



. . $0 t)8 



.. 78 



98 



. 1 30 



,. 1 63 



.. 2 28 



,. 4 55 



7 80 



.11 70 



Bulb oh Lily Pan. 



Width. 



Height, 



F.ACH. 



t! in.. 



.. 3 in.. 



..$0 07 



7 ' • 



. ,3i ".. 



.. 08 





4 " . 

 1.'. ■•, . 



10 

 15 



Ill ■•. . 



•') ■ ' . . 



•20 



12 '•. . 



. . (i '• 



25 



14 ".. 



. . / * ' . . 



. . 50 



16 ". . 



. . S " . . 



90 



J8 ••.. 



. . 1) ••. . 



.. 1 25 



GLASSES FOR HYACINTHS. 



I'he culture of Hyacinths in glasses has always been 

 and if you will use the special 

 selection of varieties offered on 

 page 5 failure is next to impossi- 

 ble. When the Hyacinths are 

 through flowering, the glasses are 

 just the tiling to hold cut flowers. 



We can supply either the Tall 

 or .Squat shape in Blue, (jreen 

 or Clear. 20 cts. each; ?!2.00 

 per doz. 



Glasses cannot he sent hy 



1/1 till. 



])opui 



Squat or Tvk 

 Sh m'f 



Tall 

 cirM 



OK I?BL- 



Smape. 



(2) 



