..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 years 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, Narcissus, 

 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 at so 

 small an outlay. 



A. FEW CULTURAL HINTS. 



Note. — The following cultural hints apply especially to the latitude of Philadelphia. In the South it in quite pos- 

 sibli in plant out bulbs <ix late an Clvristmas, irhile at points north <>f 1'hilatUlphia they should be planted as early 

 as possible after the first killing frost. 



WHEN TO PLANT. — To the beginner we would 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 are ready to ship by the 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, to that the roots 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. A 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 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 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 better — in pans, pots 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 placed in a cool greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 50 degrees. They will 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 of 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. 



ROUND BULB OR LILY 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 adapted for table use. We can supply in the 

 following sizes: 



Bulb or Lily Pan. 



Width. 



Height. 



Each. 



Doz. 



6 in. . 



. 3 in.. 



..$(i (17. . 



. . $0 68 



7 " .. 



.. 3J««.. 



. . 08.. 



.. 78 



8" .. 



.. 4 ".. 



10.. 



.. 98 



9 " . . 



. . 4J ".. 







10" .. 



. . 5 ".. 



20.. 



. . 1 63 



12".. 



.. 6 ".. 



. . 25 . 



. 2 28 



14" .. 



.. 7 " . 



.. 50.. 



. . 4 55 



16".. 



.. 8 ".. 



.. 90.. 



.. 7 80 



18 " .. 



.. 9 ".. 







CLASSICS FOR HYACINTHS. 



The culture of Hyacinths in Glasses has always been popular, 

 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 thing to hold cut flowers. 



We can supply either the Tall 

 or Squat shape in Blue, Green 

 or Clear. 20 cts. each; $2.00 

 per doz. 



Glasses cannot be sent by sqvat or Tye Tall or Hell- 



tnail. Shape. gium Shape. 



(2) 



