Beckcrf s Bulbs and Seeds for Fall Plantiag 



AUTUMN, 1912 



HYACINTHS. Their Culture 



For the Garden. The ground must have good drainage and be dug to a depth of 12 inches. The beds should slope from the center 

 outward for surface drainage. The soil requires no special fertilizer, well-rotted manure, dug in, sufficing for the wants of the bulbs and 

 also for the usual bedding plants to follow in such beds the next spring. Plant the bulbs 6 to 9 inches apart and to a depth, from the 

 crown of the bulb, of about 3 inches in heavy soil and 4 inches in light soil. Protect the beds with 3 to 4 inches of leaves or light litter, 

 gradually removing this in the spring. It is still better to cover with several inches of well-rotted and light manure, allowing this to 

 remain on the beds in the spring, this mulch keeping the beds moist and cool, through which the blooming period is considerably length- 

 ened. The bulbs can be planted from October until the ground freezes, but early planting is preferable, as the root-growth has time 

 to develop, enabling the plants to better withstand the winter's severity, and also contributing to the production of larger and more 

 perfect flower-spikes. The beds may be planted with one or more varieties or a combination of colors as fancy may suggest. 



For Pots, Bowls or Boxes. Use porous soil thoroughly mixed with well-rotted manure and some sand; not omitting some drain- 

 age. A single bulb will require a 5-inch pot. Allow same proportionate space when planting a number of bulbs in larger pots or window- 

 boxes. Remove any sprouts there may be at the base of the bulbs. Plant the bulbs two-thirds below the surface, water thoroughly, and 

 place in a cool, dark situation until the roots are well established, then bring to the light. A temperature of 50°, gradually increased to 

 60°, will be a factor in securing the finest spikes and brightest colors. A high temperature — or forcing — is fatal to the most gratifying results. 



For Glasses. Use only select bulbs for this purpose. Fill the glasses with clear, soft water, allowing the base of the bulb to barely 

 touch the water. Place in a cool, dark location, letting them remain there until the roots nearly touch the bottom of the glasses; then 

 bring to the light. Replenish the water as it evaporates, or renew it if it becomes offensive. As with pot-grown plants, cool treatment 

 will improve quality of bloom and render them more durable. 



French Roman Hyacinths. These are used very extensively for forcing. The flowers, smaller than those of the preceding class, 

 are more freely produced, two or more spikes shooting from a single bulb. Treat same as Dutch Hyacinths, in pots or boxes. The 

 white variety, if planted early and gently forced, will bloom in December. The others are three or four weeks later. A 4-inch pot is large 

 enough for a single bulb. Allow proportionate space when planting in larger pots or boxes. 



White Italian Hyacinths. These bloom about three weeks later than the White Romans. Spikes somewhat larger and very 

 fragrant; useful for a succession; treatment same as preceding. 



Miniature Dutch Hyacinths. These are young bulbs of early-blooming varieties of 

 Dutch Hyacinths. Spikes larger and later than those of the French sort. Plant six to ten bulbs 

 in pots or pans according to size of vessel. Also useful for outdoor planting. 



Grape and Feathered Hyacinths. Very desirable for edges of permanent beds or among 

 shrubbery. They are very hardy and will increase rapidly. Can also be grown in the house for 

 winter flowering. 



Of the above-named Hyacinths, all but the last class may be nicely flowered in balls or 

 baskets of live sphagnum moss. Give the same treatment as directed for pot culture, with an 

 occasional dip in water. 



EXHIBITION HYACINTHS 



These are varieties selected for their grand-sized spikes, elegance of form and beauty and 

 richness of color. The bulbs in quality are the cream of the crop, and naturally are sold at an 

 advanced price. We offer this grade only in limited quantity and request early orders for the 

 same. These bulbs, as a rule, are too large to grow in the ordinary Hyacinth glass, but may be 

 flowered in any large vase, if this is preferred to pot culture. 15 cts. each, by mail 18 cts; $1.^0 

 per doz., by mail, Si. 85. In Blue, Pink, Red and White shades. 



SPECIALLY PREPARED HYACINTHS FOR 

 VERY EARLY FLOWERING 



By a new method of treatment recently discovered by a Holland bulb-grower whilst experi- 

 menting with the object of hastening the maturity of the bulbs. Hyacinths can now successfully 

 be brought into earlier bloom than has heretofore been possible. By this method, in which the 

 maturity of the bulb is hastened, the flowers produced from them are not alone earlier, but larger 

 and more perfect, with stronger spikes and larger bells. 



Our grower states that this new culture is a complete success and will revolutionize the 

 growing of Hyacinths; also that the forcing of Hyacinths from bulbs so treated was very easy and 

 had already become popular in Holland. 



The past year on December 2 they had Hyacinths in perfect bloom from bulbs that had 

 been subjected to this special treatment. An exhibition of specially treated Hyacinths in bloom 

 had been held from December 20 to 23, which was a complete success, and convinced everyone 

 who had been skeptical as to practical results. 



The bulbs we offer that have been subjected to this new method of treatment are not so 

 large as our first-size Hyacinths, for the reason that it has been found that smaller bulbs give 

 better results, the large bulbs producing too many small-size flowers. We advise our customers 



who desire some Hyacinths in bloom at the earliest possible date to give these specially treated "^iiiii- 

 bulbs a trial. lOTt*'^^ 



We offer this season the following varieties. All at 15 cts. each, $1.50 per doz. 

 L'Innocence. White. Regulus. Light blue. 



Grand Blanche. White. Potgeiter. Light blue. 



Garibaldi. Red. Grand LUas. Dark blue 



Lady Derby. Rose-pink. 



HYACINTH GLASSES 



In amber, amethyst, blue and green. Tall and low glasses. 15 cts. each, $1.60 per doz. Hyacinth in glass 



