HOUSE AND GARDEN 
October, 1911 
273 
season, but this year they have done 
wretchedly.” Too many gardeners pre¬ 
sume that their tulips and hyacinths will 
flower year after year under wholly un¬ 
congenial conditions. In Holland, hya¬ 
cinths are grown in very nearly a pure 
sandy soil, where there always is water at 
only a short depth below the surface. In 
loamy soils it is impossible to keep them in 
proper vigor, and many of the bulbs soon 
disappear entirely. Tulips are grown in 
heavier soil, but in a climate very different 
from ours, and in the case of the early 
tulips, one year, or two years at most, is 
the limit for their healthy existence. The 
late tulips do better, but it is wrong to 
suppose that even they go on forever. A 
few of the Cottage tulips are fairly per¬ 
manent, Gesneriana Spathulata being one 
of the surest in this regard. 
Much depends upon the age of the bulb. 
Tulips and hyacinths break up into a num¬ 
ber of small "bulbs after a certain length of 
time, a result of matured growth of the 
parent bulb. Of course, there is no way to 
tell from the bulb itself just when this 
senile decay is going to set in, but most of 
the growers are careful to furnish stock 
which is still young and vigorous, so that 
breaking up is not likely to occur the first 
year after planting. 
The question of cost bears a very inti¬ 
mate relation to that of quality so far as 
all bulbs are concerned. I am always pre¬ 
pared to see poor flowers when my friends 
urge me to look at some bulbs cheaper 
than they have ever had. Poor bulbs 
always cost as much to grow as good ones 
do, and this cost does not vary much 
from year to year. The best bulbs are in 
demand by those who know high grade 
stocks, and good prices can always be ob¬ 
tained for the pick of the crop. Second 
size bulbs are always less expensive, and 
the choicest quality does not often come to 
this country, because our American 
buyers have yet to learn that in bulbs, just 
as in other merchandise, the highest qual¬ 
ity cannot be bought for the proverbial 
song, and they put up with an inferior 
grade because they are still unwilling to 
pay for the best. The Englishman has 
had his garden long enough to give room 
in it only to what is worthy of it, so he 
puts his hand a bit deeper in his pocket 
and orders the best that Holland grows. 
I must not neglect the one word more 
to persuade the interested reader to select' 
his varieties wisely. Many of the older 
varieties, among the hyacinths and tulips 
especially, have now outlived their useful¬ 
ness or have been superseded by newer 
sorts. Why the older and inferior kinds 
still appear in our catalogues is something 
of a puzzle. Disappointment is surely in 
store for the purchaser who lights upon 
one of these passing favorites, for the 
fault of small blossoms, waning vigor or 
sallow complexion will be a glaring defect 
in what might be a wealth of beauty. 
Nowadays that old standby in the early 
tulips, Belle Alliance, is passed over by 
those who come to see my tulips, and their 
attentions are paid to the glowing color, 
James McGreery & Co, 
23rd Street 34th Street 
INTERIOR DECORATION 
Orders taken for furnishing single rooms, suites or en¬ 
tire houses. 
Furniture:—Fine Mahogany, Walnut and Enamel finish in 
Colonial, Sheraton and Chippendale reproductions. 
Craftsman Furniture sold exclusively by James McCreery 
& Co. 
23rd Street 34th Street 
New York 
Dutch Bulbs 
Direct from the Growers 
NOW IN STOCK. A FULL SUPPLY 
OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. 
CATALOGUE SENT UPON REQUEST. 
Franhen Bros., Deerfield, Illinois 
DON’T READ AT RANDOM 
This is better than not reading at all. But there is a still 
better way. Take the Chautauqua plan for the use of spare 
moments. Put system into your reading. Four comparatively 
easy but most helpful books, all relating to one principal 
subject for the year. Four years, to complete the course, if 
you should continue so long, and you probably would. An 
illustrated monthly magazine called “The Chautauquan Maga¬ 
zine of System in Reading —a source of helps and hints for 
home study. Membership in a great brotherhood of those who aim 
at self culture and help to others. 
All these advantages, at a cost of $5.00 a year, because money 
making is not behind the plan. For particulars, address, 
CHAUTAUQUA INSTITUTION, Chautauqua, New York. 
Hunt Big Game 
Don’t hesitate because inexperienced. Go this 
year, while there are still a few places left where 
you will see game that has never been hunted and 
have your hunting all to yourself. I can show 
you Mountain Sheep, Caribou, Moose, Grizzly 
Bears, in a country where no other white man has 
ever been and the game has not become dwarfed 
from the conditions which always arise after 
hunting is started. I make all arrangements, and 
personally manage expedition, preserve trophies, 
etc., as hunter companion; advise as to purchase 
of fire-arms and cameras and give instruction in 
shooting and wild game photography. References. 
Address:— C. T. S. 
Care of House & Garden 
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Get in shape for the hard work ahead by spending a 
few of these beautiful Indian Summer days at Old Point 
It is beautiful here at any season of the year, but 
the gorgeous glory of our Autumn days beggars de¬ 
scription. 
The air is crisp—bracing. The fields and For¬ 
ests are a riot of color. Trips through the historical 
surrounding country are never more enjoyable. 
Golf. Tennis, Driving, etc., are at their best now. 
Conditions at The Chamberlin are ideal for real rest 
and recreation. 
MEDICAL BATHS— the finest—most completely 
equipped. In the treatment of Insomnia, Nervous¬ 
ness, Rheumatism, Gout and kindred disorders, noth¬ 
ing is more highly recommended or so efficient as 
the various Medical Baths. At The Chamberlin 
there are Medical Baths of every description. Electric 
Cabinets, Nauheim Baths, Dr. Baruch's System, 
Massage and Tonic Baths, all under the supervision of 
our resident physician, who is an expert in this line. 
Aside from the Medical Baths The Chamberlin 
has the finest indoor Sea I’ool in America. 
For Booklet and .full information address 
GEO. F. ADAMS, Manager, Fortress Monroe, Va. New York Otfice, 1122 Broadway 
In writing to advertisers please mention House and Garden. 
