A dormant bulb contains a bud. If it is a spring bloomer this is a flower bud. 
‘There is also much stored up food. This food is used in developing the roots, the 
perfection of the flowers and the first growth of foliage. By the time the bulb 
is through flowering it has become much smaller and is soft because this stored 
up food has been used up. By that time the roots and foliage are sufficiently de- 
veloped to begin the process of rebuilding the bulb, making it ready for the fol- 
lowing season. If well cared for until its next dormant period the bulb will be- 
come larger than before, produce offsets, sometimes also seed. But this period of 
growth after flowering is absolutely essential to the future functioning of the 
bulb. Water and cultivate as long as the tops are green. 
Depth and Spacing often cause too much concern. Bulbs usually have sufficient 
adaptability to do well under widely varying conditions. In a general way, bulbs 
should be about two or three times their diameter apart. Small bulbs like Ra- 
nunculus No. 3 may be covered 1”; bulbs the size of a Daffodil covered 4” to 6’’. 
Bulbs with a heavy top need deeper planting to maintain an erect position. Plant- 
ing in light sandy soils should be deeper than in heavy soils. In very cold climates, 
deep planting protects bulbs from damage from frost. Few bulbs are too finicky 
about their depth and many of them have the ability to correctly adjust them- 
selves to the most favorable depth if left in one place a few years. 
Alibis. Many amateur growers refuse to accept resposibility for their failures 
when they result. They blame the bulbs, but not themselves, the weather, their 
coil or pests. Therefore they do not learn from the best teacher—experience 
Luther Burbank said, “‘A failure is an accomplishment.” It is, if you learned by it. 
ACID AND ALKALINE SOILS 
Most plants thrive in neutral, mildJy acid or mildly akaline soils equally well 
as they have a wide range of adaptability. But a few require alkaline soils and 
some will thrive only in distinctly acid soils. In the latter class are included 
Rhododendrons, Callas and most shade loving plants. 
The acid-alkali balance is expressed in pH units. pH 7 is neutral. Below that 
the acidity increases, above it the alkalinity increases. 
Solitex Outfit. This little testing kit will enable you to determine the pH of 
your soil. No chemical knowledge is required. Directions for use are included with 
lists of plants and their preferred pH. Price is $1.00. 
If soils are too alkaline or if plants to be grown in them require more acidity 
the best remedy is to incorporate much humus. Peat is most acid usually, though 
seme American peat has become alkaline. Oak leaf mould is more acid than 
other leaf moulds. Use much leaf mould or peat (preferably imported) for Glad- 
iolus, Callas, Arums, Lilies, Haemanthus, Nerines and all plants that require 
acid soil. 
Rootone. We know of really remarkable results from the use of Rootone, a 
plant hormone powder that induces quicker rooting of cuttings and bulbs and 
sprouting of seed, As a result of its action, bulbs make a more vigorous root 
system quickly and thus the flowers are earlier and larger; the foliage stronger 
and when dormant the bulbs will be found to be larger and with greater increase 
in number. We suggest you just touch the base of a bulb to the powder until cov- 
ered by a thin film. Or you can apply it with a soft brush or from a salt shaker 
after bulbs are set. Dip the end of cuttings into the powder. Tumble the seeds 
i a jar or in the seed envelope with the powder. When seeds are coated, roll 
them out and save remaining powder. Treat your victory garden seed. Rootone will 
eae from 60 to 300 times its weight of seed and thousands of times its weight 
of bulbs. 
We especially advise its use with spring planted Amaryllis bulbs as at this 
time the roots are likely to be absent or mostly dried up. Sometimes they do not 
root easily if not expertly handled. 
Price. One-half ounce is a good supply. Mailed, postpaid for 50c. Use direc- 
tions above. We can supply in 1 lb. cans (for extensive plantings) at $5.00., f.o.b 
La Verne or postpaid for $5.35. 
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