small. Another returned Ranunculus because they were too dry and dead looking. 
Culture directions are not sent with bulbs as all necessary information js 
given in this catalog. 
Catalogs. Spring Catalog is mailed Jan. 15. Fall Catalog Aug. 15. Iris Price 
List, sent on request only, at any time. lf no orders are received for two years, 
names are dropped from our mailing list. We are dropping 10,000 names this Fall, 
as we wish to conserve labor, paper and expense, If you are no longer interested 
in bulbs, permanently or temporarily, please ask your Postmaster to return this 
catalog at our expense. 
Correspondence. Our office assistants marry soldiers or get jobs as welders 
cr riveters too soon after we have trained them. We have to compete with the 
Army even for a maid. Frankly, we can’t write many letters as we need our office 
force to put up orders. 
If information is needed, seek for it first in the catalog. Nearly always, it 
is there. Order only from the current catalog. If the bulb is not listed we do not 
have it for sale. I like to help with your problems but make it easy and give full 
particulars. Enclose a self addressed post card or if a longer reply is necessary, 
make out a list on which I can write yes or no, and send self addressed, stamped 
erivelope. 
Recently, ’'ve had to write many letters by hand. Asa _ result I have a 
sprained wrist and have to wear a leather strap around it when writing. I’ve also 
developed writers cramp in my hand, arthritis in my elbow and neuritis in my 
shoulder. But Ill still try to help, and certainly want you to report on your re- 
sults, even though I may not answer. 
Identifying Bulbs. We can usually identify your unknown bulbs. The service 
is gratis. Sometimes we can do this from the flowers and foliage, tho it is better 
to include a bulb and to give the case history and all known facts. In some cases 
we must grow a bulb a year to determine it. Then we inform you. We cannot 
undertake to identify horticultural varieties of Iris, Gladiolus, ete, Enclose ad- 
dressed post card for reply. 
Time of delivery. If it is the correct time to move the bulbs ordered we send 
them promptly. If some of them must be shipped at a future date when the bulbs 
are dormant, we acknowledge the order and state when delivery may be expected. 
When you order and get neither bulbs nor acknowledgement, do not wait months 
before reporting it. Your order, the bulbs or our acknowlegement may have gone 
astray. Three weeks should give results even in our busiest seasons, and consid- 
ering present slow mails. 
GENERAL CULTURE DIRECTIONS 
The best bulb soil is a rich sandy loam. Only a few, like Bearded Iris, prefer 
heavy soil. But nearly all bulbs do well in heavy soil, especially if plenty of hu- 
mus is added. 
All soils require the addition of large amounts of humus. You should compost 
ail weeds, leaves and small branches. If possible, add manure to this and when 
well rotted and fine turn under and thoroly mix with the soil. 
Fertilizers. Animal manures are the best. Use them with compost as ex- 
plained. Do not use fresh manure except as a light mulch for certain growing 
plants and experiment on a few first as too much quickly destroys a plant. Do 
not add fresh manure or commercial fertilizer to soil just before planting bulbs 
or seed. It would be as logical to give a day-old baby a tough steak, a piece of 
apple pie and two cups of coffee. Fertilize only healthy, thrifty plants. What 
would you think of a doctor who ordered a big mea! for a sick man as a means 
of recovery? 
Questions we are asked: May I cut off the tops of Daffodils (or Gladiolus, 
ate.) after they have flowered? How shall I treat my Amaryllis, Clivia, Calla or 
other bulbs after flowering ? 
The answers are logically determined by considering the life cycle of a bul- 
bous plant. 
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