FALL CATALOGUE OF HARDY BULBS AND PLANTS, 
5 
Qulture of 34 ^ulhs for nter '^loomiriQ in _Po^s . 
B ulbs are the most important winter Mnoraers for 
window culture. They are the easiest cared Ljr of all 
flowers, and absolutely sure to bloom ubiunlaully. 
Geraniums or Uosos may from some ciiuse fail. Imt bulbs, 
never. Nothing is more ploastint or cheerful duruma dremy 
whiter than a few pots filled with HyaciiiLbs, 'I’ulips, Crocus, 
Narcissus, etc., displaying- their brilliant colors and dtdijjrht- 
ful fragrance for weeks. Add to these the nmn>- now Bulbs 
which are now being cultivated for winter 11 mw<ts, and at a 
very little trouble or expense a display of winter flowers cun 
bo produced which will be the center of uttraetion in any 
neighborhood. Frecsias, Ixias, TrltelHu, C iloehortiis. Alli- 
ums, Scillas, Chionodoxa, &c., are coiupamtively now and 
beautiful beyond description. TIioho grand, new bulbs, 
Freesias and Triteleias, which keep in bloom several weeks in 
mid- winter, are worth their weight In gold; such gems should 
decorate every home during the dismal winter days. 
The following is a list of the most desirable Bulbs for 
winter bloom, being of the easiest culture and sure to pro- 
duce the most satisfactory results: 
Hyacinths, 
Scillas, 
Lilium Harrisii, 
Calochortus, 
Calla Lily, 
Narcissus, 
Allium, 
Sparaxis, 
Ornithogalum, 
Lacheualia, 
Muscari. 
Saxifraga, 
Crocus, 
Iris, 
Lilium Camildum, 
Chionodoxa, 
Brodiiea, 
Oxalis, 
Cyclamen, 
Triteleia, 
Babiaria, 
Sacred Lily, 
Anemones, 
Dicontra, 
Lily of the Valley, 
Spider Lily, 
Freesias, 
Amaryllis Uegiua, 
Tulips, 
Snow Drops, 
Jxias, 
Bulbicodium, 
Winter Acouite, 
Fritillarias, 
Tropa^olum, 
Erythronium. 
Their culture is very simple. They eaa be potted during 
September, October f»r .Voveinbor, watered well and set 
away in a cellar or any cool, dark place to make roots, when, 
after remaining four orsi.x weeks, or as much longer as de- 
sired, they can be brought out l<»r blooming. IVe earnestly 
advise potting the Buil>s us early us possible, especially if 
flowers are desired as early as New Vear's, for the longer 
time they can have to make roots the better they will bloom. 
By bringing out a few pots at dilTerent times a succession of 
bloom can be kept up all winter. If they are kejit in a cool 
place while in bloom, the Mowers will keep perfect a long 
time. For the benefit of those who desire more explicit cul- 
tural directions, we give it here in detail: 
SOIL— The variety of soil is not a very important item 
in Bulb culture. Any good ganleii loam will ausw'er, but if 
we Iiad a variety to choose from, we would take a rich, sandy 
soil and mix with it a small uuaiitity of leaf-mold. Do not 
use manure unless it is very old and well pulverized, and then 
only in small quantities, or it may cause the Bulbs to decay, 
or encourage too rank a growth of foliage. 
FLOWERING BULBS IN WATER-Some people flower 
Hyacinths and other Bulbs in glussesof water, and while they 
look pretty growing in this way, we cannot I’ocomraend it 
for, with the exception of the Chinese Sacred Lily, tho 
flowers will be greatly inferior to those growm in soil, and 
their period of bloom will also be much shorter. Water does 
not contain nourishment enough to bring the flowers to full 
perfection. This, however, is not the ca.se with the Chinese 
Sacred Lily, the Bulb being so large and strong they bloom 
08 elegantly in pebbhis and water as in soil. 
TIME TO PLANT— Bulbs can be planted from Septem- 
ber to UeccmlKjr, and gome kinds even later, but the earlier 
tho better will be the result, especially if desired for early 
blooming. Plant in September or October if possible. 
PLANTING- Tu planting, set the Bulbs just below the 
surface of the soil, so that they will be entirely covered. Set 
the Bulbs down in the soil and cover them* do notpi’ossthcm 
in by force, for this packs the soil under them, and when tho 
roots start they are apt to lift the bulb. 
AFTER PLANTING— They should bo well watered and 
set away in some cool, dark place, to make root. A cellar is 
best, for it is desirable that tney should be kept moist and as 
cool as possible, hence a warm dry place is not a good one. 
Water them from time to time as the soil becomes dry. 
They should remain in this position at least four weeks, and 
as much longer as possible, it being desirable that they 
should have good roots before bringing them out to bloom. 
They should, however, be brought out when vigorous top 
growth sets iu. 
BLGGMINC— When brought from the cellar or store- 
room, the pots of bulbs should be placed in a light, suuny 
window, ooo that they are watered frequently and nave as 
much fresh air os possible. Keep them free from dust, and 
when in bloom they will last much lougcr kept in a cool 
atmosphere than in a hot one. 
TREATMENT AFTER BLGGMINC— After the Bulbs 
are through blooming, if oue has the room and convenience, 
it is best to let them remain iu the pots where they are for a 
few weeks to mature their bulbs. They can then be set 
away iu the cellar and allowed to dry out, in Avhich condition 
they can remain until planting time— the following Septem- 
ber. They can then be taken out and planted in the open 
ground. By remaining there a season, they will recover 
much of the strength which they lost by being forced during 
winter, and are in most cases all right for winter blooming 
again. Many people who do not have a ])lace in their win- 
dows for the plants after the flowers have faded, jirefer to 
throw the Bulbs away and buy a new supply every year. Of 
course, this is a good plan if one cares to do it, and there is 
no doubt but that fresh imported Bulbs will give much bet- 
ter bloom than those which have been grown and flowered 
here once or more, yet it is too bad to throw the bulbs away, 
and we would advise any one who can to keep them and ])lant 
them ill the garden. We have known people who have a 
light cellar to succeed very well by placing the Bulbs there 
as soon as they have bloomed. The Bulbs ripen up well, even 
iu partial light, if the air is not too hot or freezing cold. 
eClLTUHE I/N THE GA*RDE/N. 
Bulbs are especially valuable for out-door planting, as 
they bloom at a time when the garden is utterly destitute, 
and make it gay and attractive. Scillas, Snowdrops and 
Crocus appearas soon as the snow is aw'uy, and are quickly 
follow'ed by Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, etc. The display 
which a few of these Bulbs make in the early spring is indeed 
charraiug, and they are always appreciateef more than any 
other class of flowers, for they come when most needed. 
The many forms and rich and varied colors of the Tulip 
make this Bulb one of the most important of all garden 
flowers for a gay and dazzling display. For delicate frag- 
rance and reflned beauty and grace, the Narcissus, with its 
great variety of form and charraingcolors, is always admired 
and is oue of the most ifleasing of all bulbous plants. Of 
Hyacinths we need not speak for they are well known; their 
large, round spikes of bloom iu a garden or window lend a 
charm which no other plant can rival. No class of flowers 
are so easy to grow or surer to bloom than bulbs, and it is an 
established fact that they always surprise those who plant 
them by proving much better tlian one unacquainted with 
them can imagine. 
For garden culture Bulbs do not require a very rich soil, 
and are easily cared for. Plant in October, which is the best 
month. Late in the fall the beds can be covered with leaves 
or other coarse litter which should be removed early in 
spring. After the Bulbs are through flowering, the leaves 
soon turn yellow aod die, and are then ripe enough to be 
taken up and stowed away for planting again in the fall, 
leaving the beds to be fllled with other plants for summer 
display, or, if desired, they can be left in the beds the whole 
your. 
PREPARATIGN GF BEDS— Spade up so that the beds 
will be a little higlicr than the surface, so that water will 
readily drain olf. If the soil is poor, add aTiberal quantity ot* 
well-rotted manure. 
TIME TG PLANT — September and October are the best 
months for planting Bulbs in the garden. Set them from 
oue to si X inches apart, according to variety or size, and from 
oue to three inches deep. 
PRGTECTIGN— After planting, the beds should be cov- 
ered with leaves, straw or any coarse litter (as a mulch or 
protection), which should be removed when the Bulbs start 
iu early spring. This is not necessary to save the Bulbs, for 
most, kinds are perfectly hardy in any situation without pro- 
tection, but it is most advisable to do it, for it preserves the 
vitality of the Bulbs to a great extent, and when in bloom 
you can riotice that those which were protected will bo twice 
as good as those which were not. 
