Autumn Catalogue 



FOR 1899. 



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, 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 spruig-time 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 early in Sep- 

 tember, and the sooner they are planted after that the greater will be the measure of suc- 

 cess ; therefore, order early. 



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 moderately rich soil 

 that has been well manured for pre- 

 vious crops, or else apply well-rotted 

 cow manure or bone-dust ; fresh ma- 

 nure is injurious to bulbs. The soil 

 should be well drained, and no good 



Miniature Hyacinths. 



Due Van Thol Tulips. 



A bunch of Mixed Narcissus. 



results can be obtained without free 

 drainage. A small qu.-vntity 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 fre- 

 quently 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 in pots, 

 pans or boxes, and be left in the open air, covered with a few inches of tan 

 or soil, until the earth begins to freeze, and then be placed in a cool green- 

 house, cellar or room, at a temperature of 50°. They will need, occasion- 

 ally, 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 de- 

 pends ujwn getting the roots well established in the pots, at a low temperature 

 of say 40° to 50°, before you begin to force the lops at 60° to 70°. 



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. 



The beautiful Narcissus shown in c 



(2) 



olors on the coirer of this Catalogue wiU be found offered on pages 11 to 14. 



