BECKERT'S BULB IMPORTS FOR 192 3 



23 



EASY TO GROW BULBS INDOORS, continued 



dark will be time enough for good rootage. Double Early Tulips 

 and other varieties of Narcissi will require two weeks longer. The 

 Darwins and Lit i- varieties of Tulips and Crocuses should have about 

 fourteen weeks. Freesias will require only four or live weeks, and t lies- 

 need not be kept in the dark, alt hough some shade is desirable during 

 rootage. Any time after the requisite period lor rooting has elapsed, 

 the bulbs may be brought out and forced into flower. The change 

 should be gradual. Take the pots out of the box or trench, give them 

 water, and place them for three or four days in the cellar where they 

 will be in shade ami where the temperature will not go much above 

 50 degrees. Alter that, remove them to a lighter and warmer place, 

 but avoid direct sunlight, and keep them there for several days until 

 the haves are well developed and the buds are formed. Water 



Frequently from this time on. Finally bring them into the full light 

 and ordinary room temperature, placing them where they will be safe 

 from drafts. The flowers will open up better and last longer if the 

 temperature does not go above 65 degrees. 



Sometimes it is desirable to shift the bulbs into different pots or 

 bowls after they have made their root-growth; this may be done 

 without harm, providing care is taken not to damage the roots and 

 to t ike up as much soil as possible with them. It is not necessary 

 to bring all the pots out of the box or trench at the same time. For 

 a succession of bloom they may be taken out one or two at a time: 

 an extra three or four weeks in the dark and cold will not injure them 

 in the least. Bulbs wanted for late flowers had better be planted a 

 little later than the first crop, however. 



Fertilizers. An excess of fertilizers should be avoided, but 

 moderate use of such pot-plant fertilizer as Stim-U-pIanT, Bon 

 Arbor, or Bowker's Plant Food will make for more vigorous growth 

 and finer and brighter flowers. Full directions for the use of these 

 handy plant stimulants are given on the containers. 



Growing Bulbs in Water. This is the easiest way of growing 



bulbs indoors, but only a few of the bulbs can be forced in water. 

 These are the Hyacinths, notably the French Roman type, the 

 Chinese Sacred Narcissi, and the Nosegay Narcissi, including the 

 popular Paper-Whites. If extreme water 

 care is used, Crocuses and some of 

 the Poetaz Hybrid Narcissi may 

 also be grown in water, but it is 

 safer to stick to the other kinds 

 which are sure to give satisfactory 

 results. 



Large Hyacinth bulbs are gen- 

 erally grown in the regular Hya- 

 cinth Glasses, and directions for 

 their culture are given on page 4. 



Cross-section ot bulb bowl with 

 Paper-white Narcissus in pebbles and 

 water. Note the pieces of charcoal. 



The others are grown in shallow 

 bowls which are filled with clean, white pebbles. The bulbs are then 

 set firmly on the pebbles, and water enough to reach the lower part 

 of the bulbs is added. A few pieces of charcoal in the pebbles will 

 keep the water pure. The procedure from then on is the same as for 

 bulbs grown in soil, except that the bowls should not be placed where 

 the water will freeze and the water should be replenished as often 

 as necessary. Paper-White Narcissi require about four weeks to root 

 in pebbles, the Chinese Sacred Narcissi a little longer, and the Roman 

 Hyacinths about seven weeks. Bring to the light and warmth 

 gradually. Add fresh water every day during the blooming period 

 and protect from changes in temperature as much as possible. 



Amaryllis and Other Bulbs. Directions for the culture of 

 Amaryllis and Lily-of-the- Valley, both of which are very easy to 

 grow, are given on pages 21 and 23. Oxalis bulbs may be brought into 

 flower very quickly by planting immediately upon arrival and giving 

 the same treatment as for Amaryllis. Callas and Lilies require 

 very careful culture with plenty of light, warmth and moisture 

 from the time top growth commences. Complete instructions for 

 raising Lilies will be supplied on request. 



Beckert's Window -Garden 

 Collection of Forcing Bulbs 



$4.00 POSTPAID 



Here is an assortment that will appeal to the experienced 

 window-gardener as well as the beginner — an assortment 

 of bulbs that w ill fill a home with beauty and fragrance from 

 Christmas until Easter. 



3 Hyacinths for growing in glasses, our selection. 



3 First-size Hyacinths for pot-culture, our selection. 



6 White Roman Hyacinths for growing in pebbles. 



6 Yellow Single Early Tulips for pots. 



6 Scarlet Single Early Tulips for pots. 



6 Pink Double Early Tulips for pots. 



3 Giant Yellow Trumpet Daffodils for pots. 



3 Giant Bicolor Trumpet Daffodils for pots. 



3 Double Von Sion Daffodils for pots. 



3 Poetaz Hybrid Narcissi for pots. 



6 Paper- White Narcissi for pebbles and water. 



6 First-size Purity Freesias for pots. 



54 Forcing Bulbs — postpaid for $4.00. 



Grow these bulbs as directed above — you will enjoy them 

 ajl winter— you will find that they make the finest kind of 

 gifts to friends who love flowers — you will get more genuine 

 pleasure out of them than you ever thought was possible 

 for S4.00. 



OXALIS 



AMARYLLIS 



BERMUDA BUTTERCUP. Very good for winter flowering, being 

 free and continuous; pure bright yellow flowers. 4 cts. each, 

 30 cts. per doz. S2.25 per 100, postpaid. 



GRAND DUCHESS. Dwarf; of great beauty. Flowers large and 

 thrown well above foliage. Lavender, Pink, White, and Yellow. 

 4 cts. each, 30 cts. per doz., S2.25 per 100, postpaid. 



READY IN OCTOBER 



Showy pot plants blooming in late winter and early spring. The 

 bulbs should be planted as soon as possible after arrival — one bulb 

 to a 6-inch pot — in good soil and kept in moderate temperature and 

 light, with little water until the flower-scapes begin to show. Then 

 bring the pots into a warmer location and water freely. A little 

 plant food or liquid manure applied at this time will stimulate growth 

 and enhance the size and color of the flowers. The foliage does not 

 appear until after the blooming period has passed. 



Allow 6 ounces per bulb when adding postage 

 BECKERT'S SUPERB HYBRIDS. A wonderfully brilliant strain 

 produced by crossing various forms of the Hippeastrum type. 

 Vigorous and free-blooming, with immense, lily-like flowers, 

 ranging in color from orange to deep crimson and from white to 

 rose, many striped and variegated. Strong bulbs, $1.00 each, 

 $2.75 for three bulbs, $10.00 per doz. 



CALLA 



One of the most satisfactory and easily grown flowers for pot 

 culture and forcing. The bulbs should be planted in rich soil, with 

 the crown or top protruding just above the surface. They require 

 an abundance of moisture, particularly during their flowering season, 

 but after they have bloomed they should be allowed to dry off and 

 remain dormant for several months. They thrive best in a warm 

 temperature and moist atmosphere, with plenty of light. 



If to be sent by parcel post, add postage at your zone rate. One 

 mammoth bulb weighs 4 ounces; one dozen, 3 pounds. First-size 

 bulbs and other Callas weigh 3 ounces each, 2 pounds per dozen. 



Each Doz. 100 



^THIOPICA (Lily-of-the-Nile). The old 

 favorite large-flowering Calla Lily. Mam- 

 moth Bulbs. 5- to 6-in. cir $0 35 $3 35 $24 00 



1st size Bulbs. 4- to 5-in. cir. 



ELLIOTTIANA (The Golden Calla). A beauti- 

 ful variety from South Africa, with a broad, 

 trumpet-like tube of a very rich pure yellow; 

 leaves spotted white. Large bulbs 



GODEFROYANA (The Godfrey Everblooming 

 Calla). A stronger grower and more con- 

 stant bloomer than /Ethiopica. The plants 

 are dwarf and compact with dark green 

 foliage and pure white flowers. 

 1st size Bulbs. 3-in. cir. and up 



25 2 50 20 00 



50 5 00 36 00 



25 2 50 20 00 



J. Horace McFarland Company, Horticultural Printers, Harrisburc, Pa. 



