. .Dreer’s Reliable Bulbs.. 
T O succeed with bulbs it is necessary to begin right, by getting sound bulbs of good size, and we would 
warn intending purchasers against buying cheap, undersized bulbs and expect the fine results obtained 
from such as we offer. Our sources of supply are the best in this country and abroad, the leading growers 
of the world having for years supplied us with their choicest stock. 
A Bed of Cottage Maid Tulips (Baltimore, Md.). 
To the lover of flowers there is no class 
of plants so much prized as those which are 
produced from bulbs. The reason is easily 
found, because within the bulbs are stored 
all the future glory of leaves and flowers, 
only requiring the simplest culture to de¬ 
velop them in their highest perfection. Suc¬ 
cess is therefore the rule. 
Another reason w hy bulbs are prized so 
highly is that a large number of them pro¬ 
duce their flowers in very early spring, when 
the rest of nature is asleep. Then it is that 
a clump of Snowdrops, Scillas, or Chino- 
doxas impart to the garden an air of warmth 
and cheer that cannot be accomplished in 
any other way. Following these modest 
flowers come the showier Crocus, Narcissus, 
Hyacinths, Tulips, etc., in all their dazzling 
colors, keeping up a continuous display 
well into the summer. With no other ma¬ 
terial can be secured such a wealth of 
charming flowers of infinite variety of form 
and coloring, with so little trouble and at 
so small an outlay. 
A FEW CULTURAL HINTS. 
Note. — The follcnvmg cultural hints apply especially to the latitude of Philadelphia. South of us it is quite possible to plant out 
bulbs as late as Christmas , while at points north of Philadelphia they should plant as early as possible after the first hilling frost. 
WHEN TO PLANT .—To the beginner we would emphasize the fact that Autumn and not Springtime is the time to plant 
all kinds of spring-flowering bulbs. The larger part of the bulbs offered in this Catalogue are ready to ship by the second week in 
September, and the sooner they are planted after that the greater will be the measure of success, more par¬ 
ticularly those for indoor culture; therefore, ORDER EARLY. A few sorts, which are noted in the catalogue, do 
not mature until October and November, and can be sent at once on their arrival. 
OUTDOOR CULTURE .—As a general rule, the bulbs should be planted in October and November, so that the roots may 
make a good growth before the cold weather sets in, but they can be set out even later if the ground is not frozen. They require 
a moderately rich soil that has been well manured for previous crops, or else apply well-rotted cow or sheep manure or bone- 
meal ; fresh manure is injurious to bulbs. The soil should be well drained, and no good results can be obtained without free dram- 
age. A small quantity of sand or fine coal-ashes at the base of each bulb when planted in stiff soil will be beneficial. In plant¬ 
ing the bulbs should be placed from an inch to four inches below the surface, according to the size of the bulb. A good rule to 
go by is to cover the bulbs with soil one and a half times their own depth. 
When the ground freezes hard the bed should be covered with three or four inches of leaves or litter, which should be removed 
in early spring. Too early and heavy covering starts the tops prematurely, which are frequently injured in March by freezing and 
thawing After flowering, if the beds are wanted for late spring plantings, take up the bulbs, tops and roots, and “ heel in ” in 
some corner of the garden until the bulbs mature, after which they 
should be spread out in an airy room to dry, and kept in a cool, dark 
place until time for replanting the following autumn. 
INDOOR CULTURE. —Bulbs intended for blooming during the 
winter can be planted from September until November—the earlier 
the better—in pots, pans or boxes, and be left in the open air, covered 
with a few inches of ashes or soil, until the earth begins to freeze, and 
then placed in a cool greenhouse, cellar or room, at a temperature of 
50 degrees. They will need, occasionally, moderate watering after 
they are brought inside. Or the pots, pans or boxes may be placed at 
once, after potting, in a cool, dark cellar, watering well and cover the 
same as above. The whole success of pot culture depends upon get¬ 
ting the roots well established in the pots, at a low temperature of say 
40 to 50 degrees, before you begin to force the tops at GO degrees or 
over. After this the bloom is easily developed by giving light and 
water, and one can have a supply of flowers from Christmas until after 
Easter by regulating the time of bringing them to the light. 
GLASSES for HYACINTHS. 
Either shape in Am¬ 
ber, Green, Amethyst 
Blue, Clear or Crystal. 
18 cts. each; $1.75 
per doz. 
Tubes for use in the 
tall shape, allowing 
the removal of roots 
from glass without 
Tall ok Gklgian disturbance. 10 cts. 
Shape. each; $1.00 per doz. 
Squat or Tye 
Shape. 
Glasses ce\n not be sent bv mail. 
