£ 
JOHN LEWIS CHILDS, FLORAL PARK, N. Y. 
HARDY OR HOLLAND BULBS. 
H ARDY, OR HOLLAND, liULBS are most deservedly popular. In the flower garden they have wrested two 
months of each year from Winter’s stern grasp. Before the last snowdrift has melted, the Snowdrop, Scilla and 
Crocus appear, close followed by a score of others that have made the name “ Spring Flowers ” synonymous 
with beauty and fragrance. Indoors they have won equal triumph, and hold the place of honor for beauty, fragrance, 
easy culture and certainty to bloom. We make a specialty of supplying a grade of extra large and select Bulbs, the 
cream of Holland’s annual output. We know that they are the best imported into the United States. 
Culture for Winter Blooming. 
How to Have Flowers in Profusion. 
I N NEARLY every Home tflere is someone WHO loves to 
cultivate flowers in winter, and there is always one or 
more windows that can be used for that purpose. To fill 
these windows with beautiful flowers and plants during win¬ 
ter is only a question of knowledge—knowledge which will 
lead to a proper selection of kinds. The proper plants will 
grow and thrive without any special care. They will bloom 
profusely. They will be beautiful and fragrant, brilliant 
and fascinating, and they cost very little. What ar© they? 
First and foremost we say Hardy Bulbs. 
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 
Alliums . 
Narcissus 
Freesias 
Oxalis 
Ornithogalum 
Scilla 
Ixia 
Sparaxis 
Triteleia 
Calla 
Saxifraga 
Eucharis 
Tulips 
Sacred Lilies 
Tritonias 
Iris 
Gladiolus 
Camassia 
Chionodoxa 
Anemone 
Brodiaea 
Calochortus 
Ranunculus 
Cyclamen 
Lilies 
Erythronium 
The culture of all these Bulbs is very simple. They can be 
potted during September, October or November,, watered 
well and set a way in a cellar or any cool, dark place to make 
roots, when, after remaining four or six weeks, or as much 
longer as desired, they can be brought out for blooming. 
We earnestly advise potting the bulbs as early as possible, 
especially if flowers are desired as early as New Year’s, for 
the longer time they have to make roots the better they will 
bloom. By bringing out a few pots at different times a suc¬ 
cession of bloom can be kept up all winter. If they are kept 
in a cool place while in bloom the flowers will keep perfect a 
long time. For the benefit of those who desire more explicit 
cultural directions we give it here in detail: 
801L—The variety of soil is not a very important item in 
bulb culture. Any good garden loam will answer, but if we 
bad a variety to choose from we would take a rich, sandy 
soil and mix it with a small quantity 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 bulb t-ode¬ 
cay, or encourage too rank a growth of foliage. 
TIME TO PLANT—Bulbs can be planted from Septem¬ 
ber to December, and some kinds even later, but the earlier 
the better will be the result, especially if desired for early 
blooming. Plant in September or October if possible. 
PLANTBNC-In 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 not press 
them in by force, for this packs the soil under them, and 
when the roots start they are apt to lift the bulb. 
AFTER PLANTING—They should be well watered and 
set away in some cool, dark place to make root. A cellar is 
best, for it is desirable that they 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 ns 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. 
BLOOM INC—When brought from the cellar or storeroom 
the pots or bulbs should be placed in a light, sunny window. 
See that they are watered frequently and have as much 
fresh air as possible. Keep them free from dust, and when 
in bloom they will last much longer kept in a cool atmos¬ 
phere than in. a hot one. 
Culture in the Garden. 
Bulbs «re especially valuable for outdoor planting, as 
they bloom at a time when the garden is utterly destitute, 
and make it gay and attractive. Scillas, Snowdrops ana 
Crocus appear as soon as the snow is away, and are quickly 
followed by Hyacinths, Narcissus, Tulips, etc. The display 
which a few of these bulbs make in the early spring is indeed 
charming, and they are always appreciated more than any 
other class of flowers, for they come when most needed. 
For garden culture bulbs do not need a very rich soil and 
are easily cared for. Plant in September, October or Novem¬ 
ber, which are the best months. Late in the fall the bedscan 
be covered with leaves or other coarse Jitter, which should 
be removed early in spring. After the bulbs are through 
flowering the leaves soon turn yellow and die. and are then 
ripe enough to be taken up and stored away for planting 
again in the fall, leaving the beds to be filled with other 
plants for the summer display, or, if desired, they can be left 
m the beds the whole year. 
PREPARATION OF BEDS-Spade up so that the beds 
will be a little higher than the surface, so that water will 
readily drain off. If the soil is poor, add a liberal quantity 
of well-rotted manure. 
TIME TO PLANT—September and October are the best 
months for planting bulbs in the garden, though it may be 
done in November and December. Set them from one to 
six inches apart, according to variety or size, and from one 
to three inches deep. 
PROTECTION—After planting, the beds should bo 
covered with leaves, straw or other coarse litter (as a mulch 
or protection), which should be removed when the bulbs 
start in early spring. This is not necessary to save the bulbs 
for most kinds are perfectly hardy in any situation without 
protection, 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 notice that, those which were protected will 
do twice as good as those which were not. 
WHY OUR BULBS ARE ALWAYS GOOD 
W E have always appreciated the importance of supplying first-class bulbs only, and have never cheapened the quality 
of our stock to compete with low prices, yet we do a larger mail-order business in this line than all other houses 
iu the country combined who issue fall catalogues. Competition in'price lias' influenced many dealers who know better, 
to import and sell second-class stock. This is done for the purpose of saving, not only on the first cost of tho bulbs but also 
on duty, and more especially on tiie great amount of postage that is saved in sending them out. Strictly first-class bulbs 
of Hyacinths, Tulips. Narcissus, etc., are large and heavy and cost the dealer in postage and expre-ssage for delivery a 
great deal more than second-class bulbs, to say nothing of the first cost which is nearly double. As a rule, these second ■ 
class bulbs do not give satisfaction and the one who plants them is therefore disappointed and discouraged. We offer iu this 
Catalogue nothing but strictly first-class stock. 
