RETAIL BULB CATALOGUE; AUTUMN 1917 
3 
MACNIFF’S PREPARED FIBRE 
IMPORTED FROM HOLLAND 
Holland's Best Substitute for Soil 
Bulbs may be grown in this “Prepared Fibre” in any 
non-porous bowl or jardiniere, which has no drainage hole 
in its bottom. There will be no drip from these receptacles 
to soil the house furnishings, and the bulbs, when in bloom 
can be used much more conveniently and safely for house 
decoration than when growing in soil in pots with drainage 
holes. 
When planting bulbs in this fibre, do not press them 
down into it, but make a hole for each bulb with a small 
trowel or broad-bladed knife, and barely cover the bulb, 
pressing the fibre only lighly about it. Put the bowls of 
bulbs in a dark, airy cellar or room and allow them to 
remain there, until the sprouts are about one inch above 
the soil, then bring them out into a room where there is a 
little more light and a little higher temperature, and still 
later give them the full light of the window. 
The most important of all the work of growing bulbs 
in “Prepared Fibre” (as well as in soil) is to constantly 
keep this fibre from the time the bulbs are planted until 
the time they are through blooming, evenly moist 
throughout, but never over-wet or soggy. By turning 
the bowl on its side, a test can easily be made whether 
water has collected in the bottom of the bowl or not and 
if so, this surplus water may be allowed to run out. As 
the bulb puts forth more foliage, and comes into the bud 
and blooming period, it will require more water than in 
the earlier stages of its growth, and as has been said 
before, at no time must the “Prepared Fibre” be allowed 
to become dry. 
“Prepared Fibre” is much easier and pleasanter and 
cleaner than soil to handle. 
Prices of MacNiff’s “Prepared Fibre.” Quart, 10c.; 
Peck, 50c.; ^ bushel, 80c.; Bushel, $1.40. 
