There is also much stored up food. This food is used in developing the roots, the per- 
fection of the flowers and the first growth of foliage. By the time the bulb is thru flow- 
ering it has become much smaller, because this stored up food has been used up. By that 
time the roots and foliage are sufficiently developed to begin the process of rebuilding the 
bulb, making it ready for the following season. If well cared for until its next dormant 
period the bulb will become 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. 
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 Ranunculus 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. Planting in light sandy soils should be 
deeper than in heavy soils. In very cold climates, deep planting protects bulbs from 
damage by frost. Few bulbs are too finicky about their depth and many of them have 
the ability to correctly adjust themselves to the most favorable depth if left in one place 
a few years. 
Alibis. Many amateur growers refuse to accept responsibility for their failures 
when they result. They blame the bulbs, but not themselves, the weather, their soil 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. 
References. All good gardeners use every possible source of information. Subscribe 
for the best garden magazines. One of the most complete compendiums of garden infor- 
mation and plant names and descriptions is Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture, 3 vol., 
3600 pages. Price $15.00, postpaid. Send us your order and add sales tax for California 
delivery. 
ACID AND ALKALINE SOILS 
Most plants thrive in neutral, mildly acid or mildly alkaline 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. 
Soiltex 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, tho some American 
peat has become alkaline. Oak leaf mould is more acid than other leaf moulds. Use 
much leaf mould or peat (preferably imported) for Gladiolus, 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, especially mentioning bulbs, a more vigorous root system 
is quickly made and thus the flowers are earlier and larger; the foilage 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 covered 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 in 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 treat 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 
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