Beckerfs Bulbs and Seeds for Fall Planting 



AUTUMN 1909 



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 mches 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 lengthened. 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 drainage. 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 lis:ht. A 

 temperature of 50° gradually increased to 60° will be factors in securing the finest 

 spikes and brightest colors. A high temperature— or forcing— is fatal to the most grati- 

 fying 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 same 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 va- 

 rieties 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-si/.ed 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 same. These bulbs, as a rule, are too large to grow in the ordinary Hyacinth 

 glass, but may may be flowered in any larger vase, if this is preferred to pot culture. 

 20 cts. each, by mail 23 cts. ; $2 per doz., bv mail, I2.35. In Blue, Pink, Red and 

 White Shades. 



HYACINTH GLASSES 



In amber, amethyst, blue and green, 

 for 3, I1.75 per doz. 



Tall and low glasses. 18 cts. each, 50 cts. 



HYACINTH IN GLASS 



