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 Js 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 



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, so 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, which is indicated by the leaves turning yellow, 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 fifty 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 ot 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. 



" DREER'S HINTS ON THE GROWING OF BULBS."— This is the title of a 78 page book in which we have 

 endeavored to give all the essential details for the growing of the various bulbs offered in this Catalogue. Price, 25 cts., or a 

 copy will be sent free to all purchasers of bulbs if asked for at time of ordering. 



PLANTING TABLE. — -The table below shows the number of bulbs required to fill a circular bed of the dimensions given. 

 In planting begin outside row — where 6 inches apart, 3 inches from edge of bed; where 12 inches apart, 6 inches from edge 

 of bed. 



Diameter of 



Planted 



Planted 



Planted 



Planted 



Diameter of 



Planted 



Planted 



Planted 



Planted 



bed. 



4 in. apart. 



6 in. apart. 



12 in. apart. 



18 in. apart. ! 



bed. 



4 in. apart. 



6 in. apart. 



12 in. apart. 



18 in. apart. 



3 feet 



G3 



28 



7 





12 feet 



1017 



452 



113 



50 



4 " 



108 



48 



12 ;. 



6 



13 " 



1188 



5_8 



132 



59 



5 " 



180 



80 



20 



8 



14 " 



1377 



612 



153 



68 



e " 



252 



112 



28 



13 



15 " 



1584 



704 



176 



78 



7 " 



342 



152 



38 



17 



16 " 



1809 



804 



201 



89 



8 " 



450 



200 



50 



23 



17 " 



2034 



904 



226 



100 



9 " 



576 



256 



64 



28 



18 " 



2286 



1016 



254 



113 



10 " 



720 



320 



80 



36 



19 " 



2549 



1132 



283 



126 



11 " 



855 



380 



95 



42 



20 " 



2826 



1256 



314 



139 



A square bed will take about the same number of bulbs. For an oval bed, add length and breadth and divide by 2. For 

 example, an oval 7 feet long by 5 feet wide will require same number of plants as a circular bed 6 feet in diameter. 



(2) 



