Dreer's Reliable Bulbs. 



no class of plants so much prized as those which 

 reason is easily found, because within the bulbs are 



Miniatuke Hyacinths. tS-e page 3.) 



Single Eahly Tulips, (^ee page 8.) 



PLANT IN OPEN 

 GROUND.— 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 moder- 

 ately rich soil that has been well manured 

 for previous crops, or else apply well 

 rotted cow manure or bone-dust ; fresh 

 manure is injurious to bulbs. The soil 

 should be well drained, and no good re- 

 sults can be obtained without free drain- 

 age. 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 coarse 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" by 

 covering entire until the bulb matures. After which they should be 

 spread out in an airy room to dry, and kept in a cool, dark place until 

 time for replanting. 



FOR BLOOMING IN POTS.— 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, occasionally, mod- 

 erate 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. 



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 

 slock and expect the fine results obtained from selected bulbs such as we offer. Out- 

 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. 



To the lover of flowers there is 

 are produced from bulbs. The 

 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, 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 charming flowers of infinite variety of 

 form and coloring, with so little trouble and at so small an outlay. 



TIME OF PLANTING. — To the beginner we would particularly emphasize 

 the fact that now and not spring time is the time to plant all kinds of spring flowering 

 bulbs. The larger part of the bulbs offered in this Catalogue leach us from Holland 



early in September, and. the SOOIier 



they are planted after that 

 the greater will he the meas- 

 ure of- success ; therefore,. 

 ORDER EARLY. 



THE LATE=FLOWERING 



GARDEN TULIPS 



Shown in colors on the rover of 

 til is catalogue sliould be xAanted 

 largely in, even/ garden. Tliey 

 are comparatively cheap and al- 

 tvays succeed. For descriptions 

 and prices see page 9. 



Single Nakcissus. (See pa 



