but contain for variety many stripes and variations since most people seem to 
prefer that. The texture of the petals should be smooth, not ridged or crinkled. 
Perfection of form is more desirable than large size. I admire an 8” round 
flower of good form and texture more than I do a 12” flower with narrow 
pointed petals. The Diener hybrids have the largest flowers and are favorites 
of those who want large size but our Select Strains have more perfect form 
and color tones. 
We are frequently asked for pure whites. There are a few, not many, in 
our Select Strains, especially the White Backgrounds. Please note that the 
four color classes sold under this name are not perfectly classified. The classi- 
fication was based mostly on the color of the parents and many of these were 
not large enough to flower last year. So, under reds you will get a few that 
are pink, scarlet, rose or even white backgrounds. We have even found pure 
white ones under the colors. Others are almost pure white. 
Pure White Amaryllis sold as such would cost $5.00 to $10.00 ea. They | 
are more difficult to grow in the garden but do very well in pots. / 
We do not make separate classifications at present for self colored reds, 
scarlets, pinks or rose. There are many of these in our mixtures but to offer 
them separately one would have to charge at least double our price for the 
assorted Reds, Scarlets, Rose, etc. If you buy a dozen or more you are very 
likely to get one or several that are a solid color. We would like to have every 
one of our estimated 25,000 customers grow from a dozen to 100 of our Select 
Hybrids (or as many as space allows), and every one a member of the Ameri- 
can Amaryllis Society. 
I would like to have you make crosses on our best bulbs and grow seed- 
lings. It would not hurt our business because you need our bulbs to grow the 
seed as we do not sell our best seed. We plant it. To encourage you we will 
tell you how it is done. Place pollen, a powdery substance, from the outer 
stamens which are just inside the petals, on the central stigma. The stigma is 
a knoblike organ at the end of the filament or stalk above the ovary and all 
are parts of the pistil. 
This process is called pollination. If successfully accomplished, a seed pod 
will form and after a few weeks will ripen. It is ready to pluck just as the pod 
starts to burst open. Lay it away a few days and when seeds have fully burst 
out they may be planted in good potting soil and covered %”. Do not delay 
planting the seed too long as old seed does not always grow. 
Pots of seed may be watered once and if covered by a pane of glass the 
seeds will come up without further watering. Then remove glass and sprinkle 
the seedlings lightly with a syringe every day. Give the seedlings half shade 
and keep them growing. Often they flower in two years if transplanted into 
only 3 or 4 to a 5” pot when the seedlings begin to be crowded. 
Plant breeding, as an intellectual hobby, will bring you much pleasure 
and many surprises. Often, amateurs have done very valuable work. Good 
seed can only rarely be bought. It is better to grow your own as most growers 
plant their own best seed. Old seed does not germinate well. 
Hippeastrum Hybrids. Assorted colors. These are selected from a variety 
of sources. No poor flowers. 50c ea. $5.00 per dozen. Extra large bulbs, 75c 
ea. We recommend the Select Strains as superior. 
H. Near White Hybrids. Some have very light pink markings, others 
heavier but none heavily marked. They give the general effect of a white 
flower. This is a very vigorous strain unlike the pure white. Rich, spicy 
fragrance. Rather later in blooming. 75c ea. $7.50 per doz. 
H. Hybrids, Select Strains. This lot is composed of the best of the Howard 
and Smith and other American and European breeders. We consider this the 
best commercial strain now available. The petals are nicely rounded, in a per- 
fectly moulded flower. The colors are refined and in countless tones from white 
background with light markings to various tones of pink, rose, red and scarlet. 
The flowers are large, sometimes 8” or more in diameter. We offer these in 
the following color classes. Assorted Colors; White Backgrounds, from nearly 
white to medium markings; Red Shades, many are pure Self colors; Scarlet; 
Pink, which includes many shades of rose and other pink tones. Be sure to 
order as H. hybrids, Select Strains, Assorted Colors, White Background, Red, 
