Established 1838. 



AUTUMN, 1896. 



Incorporated 1892. 



DREER'S * CATALOGUE 



OF. 



BULBS, SEEDS, PLANTS, Etc. 



®QQQQQQQ£ 



Bulbs for Autumn Planting 



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, and to the many amateurs who year after 

 year give much of their time and attention to the cultivation of various plants with little success, our advice is, 



TRY SOME BULBS. 



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 can not be accomplished in any other way. Following these modest flowers, come the showier Crocus, Narcissus, 

 Hyacinths, Tulips, Iris, etc., 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 OE 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 reach us from Holland early in September, and the sooner 

 they are planted after that, the greater will be the measure of success; 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 previous crops, or else apply well rotted cow 

 manure or bone dust; fresh manure is injurious to bulbs. The soil should be well drained; standing water is injurious, 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 coarse litter, which should be re- 

 moved 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. 



EOR 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 greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 50°. They will 

 need, occasionally, 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 cul- 

 ture depends upon getting the roots well established in the pots, at a low Um- 

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

 After this the bloom is easily developed by giving 

 light and water, and one can have a supply of bloom 

 from Christmas until after Easter by regulating 

 the lime of bringing them to the light. 



BULBS AND TUBEROUS- 

 ROOTED PLANTS. 



A new book by C. L. Allen gives full direc- 

 tions for their successful cultivation. Price $2, 

 postpaid. 



