start after two or three months “rest.’”’ But they will start a lot more quickly 
and will grow more rapidly when the rest period has been longer. Indeed, 
when possible to obtain them, it is an advantage to plant bulbs that were dug 
a full year or even two years before. But this applies only to Ranunculus and 
Anemones. Most bulbs dry up soon after their dormant season has passed if 
they are not planted. 
The purpose of this discussion is to enable you to grow your bulbs suc- 
cessfully not only the first season, but thereafter. One cannot escape the de- 
duction, however, that the bulbs should be purchased from growers who know 
how to produce good bulbs. Be sure to start right. 
Consult all References available. We use Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticul- 
ture. 3 Vol., over 3600 pages. It is in most city libraries. Send us your order. 
Price $15.00, plus sales tax in Calif, postpaid. 
ACID AND ALKALINE SOILS 
Most plants thrive in a wide variety of soils and are not too particular 
about the soil pH. Such plants are widely distributed and include our most 
common ornamental and economic plants and especially weeds. But some of 
our most important plants are very exacting in their requirements. 
The pH of the soil (or any substance) is measured in units thus, pH 5.5. 
It refers to the relative acidity or alkalinity and this depends on the concen- 
tration of the hydrogen ions. The scale runs 1 to 14. pH 7 is neutral. Below 
that the acidity increases as the pH decreases. Above pH 7 the scale indicates 
increasing alkalinity. 
Most semi-aquatic plants and shade loving plants do best in a mildly 
acid soil. This will include most plants that grow in woods or bogs. 
Among bulbs the following do much better in mildly acid soils, around 
pH 6 and some possibly like more acidity. Gladiolus, Vallota, Callas, Cala- 
diums, Arums, Lilies, Haemanthus, Nerines, etc. Those requiring neutral 
to mildly alkaline soils are Iris, Hippeastrums, Daffodils, ete. 
The acidity of a soil may be increased by the incorporation of any form 
of vegetable matter. The most acid is imported peat, leaf mould and tan bark. 
In fertilizers Superphosphate, Aluminum sulphate and sulphur are acid. 
Lime, gypsum, ground shell, manure with ammonia odor and most com- 
mercial nitrogenous fertilizers are alkaline. 
It is often important to know the pH of your soil. Anyone can determine 
it and no knowledge of chemistry is necessary. For $1.00 we will mail you 
a Soiltex outfit with materials needed and complete simple directions. 
Vitamin B, is believed to be a useful stimulant for bulbs. In transplant- 
ing, soak the roots of bulbs or any plants in a solution and the plant does 
not even wilt. We have done this with Hippeastrums in bloom and the flower 
was uninjured, lasted for days and ripened seed. Use it on growing plants 
for better plants and bloom. Altho some experimenters claim that vit. B, 
has been overrated, our experience seems to show that it is useful in trans- 
planting or in stimulating a more vigorous growth. : 
Our new prices. 200 Tablets for $1.00. 100 for 60c. 50 for 35c. 
25 for 20c. 
Directions for use on plants in garden or in pots. For the first applica- 
tion dissolve one tablet in 2 gal. water. For succeeding waterings use one 
tablet in four gal. water, once a week. One can use these tablets as strong 
as one tablet to a gallon for infrequent applications. When transplanting 
shrubs, bulbs or any plants, dissolve 5 tablets or even more in 1 gal. water 
and soak roots 15 to 30 min. Pour solution around the plant when set. 
Warning: Do not soak dormant bulbs with vit. B, solution. It rots them. 
It should not be applied to bulbs when planted until abundant roots are 
formed. These directions apply only to the tablets we sent out. They may 
be quite wrong for any other kind. 
Bulbs for Southern Gardens. Our bulbs are all grown in the field or in 
lath houses in the semi-tropical climate of Southern California. Hence they 
are all ideal for outdoor planting in the south where temperatures are equally 
mild. Very many are hardy in the north. In our culture directions we state 
