Autumn • Catalogue 



?.!: Bulbs, Seeds, Plants, Etc. 



^j'j'FOR. 1900 •*•*•* 



SiNOLE Hyacinth. 



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, Iiis, 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 tiot 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, OflDEK 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 manufe or bone-dust; fresh ma- 

 nure is injurious to bulbs. The soil should be well drained, 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 stiif 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 i-emoved 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 — 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, 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, water- 

 ing 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 

 Due Van Thol Tulips. (See page 6.) the time of bringing them to the light. 



(1) 



Spanish Iris. {See page 19.) 



HB 



