J. M. THORBURN & CQ/S CATALOGUE OF BULBS 



3 



U___ _ •^l.Lfc ^ THESE BULBS ARE READY FOR 

 tlyclClilLOS DELIVERY IN SEPTEMBER 



If to be sent by mail add postage at zone rates 



The Hyacinth is one of the most pupular and beautiful spring-llowering plants for indoor and out- 

 door decoration. By careful management in keeping up a succession, it may be had in tlower from 

 the beginning of winter to the end of May. For a spring display in the open ground it is unexcelled. 

 Brilliant effects can be obtained by massing different colors in varieties that grow about the same 

 height, and bloom at the same time. We furnish very large numbers for this purpose to public parks 

 and cemeteries, and we shall be pleased to recommend to anyone suitable sorts, when desired. 



OUTSIDE CULTURE. In this section, October is the month to plant Hyacinths outside. They 

 succeed best in a light soil and a sunny situation. If tlie soil is naturally heavy, some sand should be 

 mixed with it, and if the beds have been occupied with other plants throughout the summer, some well- 

 rotted cow manure should be added. The soil should be well dug to a depth of 14 inches, and raised 

 from 2 to 4 inches above the level of the walk. The bulbs should be planted evenly, about G inches 

 deep to the bottom of the bulb, and from G to 7 inches apart; if planted at uneven depths they will 

 not bloom at the same time, but irregularly. Care must be taken not to press the earth too firmly 

 around and over the bulbs. Some successful gardeners follow the plan of setting each bulb in a handful 

 of clean sand, which insures proper drainage. After the ground has been frozen in early winter, cover 

 with a few inches of dry litter, evergreen boughs or coarse manure. If this covering be applied before 

 freezing weather, it renders the bulbs liable to the predations of field-mice which may burrow into it. 



CULTURE IN POTS. For growing in pots, large, selected, named varieties should be used. They 

 should be potted singly in 5-inch or G-inch pots. Three bulbs in a 7-inch pot are very effective. The 

 best potting compost is fibrous loam and manure in about equal parts, with some river sand intermixed. 

 The pots should be filled lightly, and the bulb pressed into the soil so that its base is firmly fixed. 

 About one-third of the bulb should remain above the soil. The pots should then be buried in the open 

 ground to the depth of G inches, and left there for five or six weeks, until they are well filled with roots. 

 They may then be taken into the house, where the warmth will soon bring them into flower. Where a 

 succession is desired, it is best to pot at intervals from September to the end of November. Plenty of 

 water should be applied, and manure-water is beneficial after the flower-spikes appear. 



CULTURE IN GLASSES. Single varieties are better adapted for culture in glasses than double ones. 

 The bulb should be placed so that the base is just in contact with the water. Soft rain-water should 

 be used, and a little charcoal might be placed in it to keep it pure. The glasses should be kept in a cool, 

 dark closet for ten to twelve days, until roots are formed, and then exposed to the light and air as much 

 as possible. Do not place them near gaslight. In very cold weather the glasses should be removed 

 from the window, as the bulbs cannot stand frost. The water should never be allowed to freeze, and 

 it should be changed every two or three days. 



Customers unacquainted with the different varieties will do well to leave the selection to us, only 

 specifying in their order whether bulbs are wanted for pot, glass or garden culture. 



We invite special attention to the assortments of Named Hyacinths of our selection offered on page 

 4, and to the Hyacinth Glasses which are quoted at the end of the catalogue. 



The names of our Hyacinths and Tulips are those given to them by the originators in Holland, and 

 they are not sold under fancy names manufactured in this country 



Select Named Dutch Hyacinths 



N. B. Our Select Named Hyacinths are the cream of 

 the Holland nurseries — and are called top-roots — under 

 their original names. For forcing in pots or for outdoor 

 beds they far surpass the class of Bulbs usually sold. 



The single-flowered varieties are generally more effective ^ 

 and better for forcing than the double ones. They also, ' 



as a rule, succeed better in glasses. The double varieties , ^ 



are distinguished by an asterisk (*), and those of them , J^^^lBk^ 



that do w-ell for forcing in water, by two asterisks (**). ^W' y^JU 



Not less than six of one kind sold at the dozen rate ' 

 If to be sent by mail add postage at zone rates — weight, 4 4H^^ 

 lbs. per doz. ^"^W^B^^ 



Named Blue Hyacinths % 



Each Doz. 



Baron Van Thuyll. Fine deep blue $012 $125 



Bismarck. Sky blue; very broad spike; good . ijliihif ^ 



forcer 20 2 00 'WtUk 



**Blocksberg. Double; light blue; large spike. 15 150 ^^W^IK 

 Captain Boyton. iSky-blue; large bells and 



truss 15 150 ^ 



Charles Dickens. Blue; early 15 1 40 ( 



Czar Peter. Light porcelain-blue and lav- i 



ender 15 150 



Enchantress. Pale porcelain, tinted lilac, 



light center 12 1 25 



*Garrick. Double ; bright blue 15 1 50 



*General Kohler. Double; bright blue; large 



spike; fine forcer 15 150 



Grand Maitre. Large truss; deep porcelain- 

 blue ; extra fine 15 1 40 



Grand Lilas. Silvery lilac; fine spike 15 150 



Johan. Clear blue; large bells 15 150 



King of the Blues. Dark blue; extra-large 



spike 20 2 00 1 



La Peyrouse. Clear porcelain-blue 15 1 50 V 



*Laurens Koster. Double fine dark blue 20 2 00 



Lord Derby. Light porcelain-blue 15 150 



*Lord Wellington. Double; blue dark center.. 15 150 



Marie. Dark blue; large spike 15 140 



Princess Wilhelmina. Lavender 15 150 



Queen of the Blues. Light blue 15 140 



Regulus. Light blue; large bells and spike.. 15 1 50 c- 1 w • ^ 



♦Van Speyk. Double; light blue, large bells... 15 150 ^^''(Ligh? Mue)'' 



