CROCUSES (SPRING FLOWERING) 
The Crocus has its home on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and eastward 
into Asia. The name crocus is of Greek origin and means saffron. Saffron in 
turn is the English spelling of the Arabic word “Zafaran.” 
In early times the orange-yellow stigmas were dried and used in medicine and 
are still used to-day for cooking by the Persians and Spaniards who mix them with 
their rice. In Greece and Rome, saffron was used as a perfume and as a yellow 
dye and is still employed extensively for that purpose in certain sections of the old 
world. Commercial plantings of crocus for the manufacture of saffron are still to 
be found in Persia, Spain, France and Sicily. 
The Crocus is one of the loveliest of all spring-flowering plants. Soon after the 
snowdrops have put in their appearance come the crocuses with their large showy 
blooms in yellow, white, purple and stripes of lilac on a white ground. They must 
be grown in a more or less sunny place, otherwise the blooms do not open up fully. 
They are easily forced in a temperature of about 50 degrees, especially the top¬ 
sized quality bulbs which we offer. 
Please bear in mind that many so-called “first quality” Crocus bulbs do not 
belong in the top-size. Extra quality is never in abundance. 
We guarantee all Crocus bulbs offered to be strictly top size unless men¬ 
tioned otherwise. 
BLUE, PURPLE AND LILAC SHADES 
Paulus Potter. Violet-purple. 55 cts. per dozen, $3.50 per 100. 
Purpurea Grandiflora. Purple, the largest of all Crocuses. 55 cts. per 
dozen, $3.50 per 100. 
The Bishop. Dark blue. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
Antigone. Blue, light bordered. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
Remembrance. Sky-blue, free flowering. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
King of the Blues. Dark blue. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
STRIPED 
King of the Striped. Blue striped. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
La Majestueuse. Lilac striped. 50 cts. per dozen, $3 per 100. 
[ 48 ] 
