us at once when you receive them. But do not return them until we explain. Customers 
some times err in judgment and one returned dwarf Baby Callas because they were 
small. Another returned Ranunculus because they were too dry and dead looking. 
Culture directions are not sent with bulbs as all necessary information is given in 
this catalog. 
Catalogs. Spring Catalog is mailed Jan. 15. Fall Catalog Aug. 15. If no orders 
are received for two years, names are dropped from our mailing lists. If you are no 
longer interested in bulbs, permanently or temporarily, please ask your postmaster to 
return this catalog at our expense. 
Correspondence. We enjoy and appreciate the friendly letters we receive. We 
answer these twice a year in our Introductory Letter. I regret that I am unable to write 
individually to each. On some days in the busy season our first class mail will go over 
250 pieces. At this time we must use our too small office force for packing bulbs and 
my time is almost wholly taken by supervision of ranch and my part of office work. 
No day’s work is shorter than 10 hours and sometimes extends to 16 and even more. 
We receive many requests for information about growing bulbs. This catalog is 
written to furnish that as well as to list the bulbs. Most inquirers show that the writer 
did not read the catalog as the very information asked for is in it. Many questions are 
like this, “Why don’t my Amaryllis bloom,’—and not a word or hint is given about the 
growing methods used. Even physicians have asked it. Well Dr., will you send me 
some medicine, or advice to cure John. He is not doing well. 
But if personal help is necessary and you have studied this catalog carefully and 
followed its instructions, then I will do my best. Make the reply easy by enclosing a 
self addressed post card or stamped envelope. A “questionnaire” form in which I can 
pen a few lines would save us time. 
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, etc. Enclose addressed post card for 
reply. 
Time of Delivery. We deliver all bulbs as promptly as possible. Lack of sufficient 
labor sometimes delays us a little but so far we have been able to deliver every order at 
the correct planting time or before. Certain bulbs like Gladiolus and Amaryllis are not 
dug and ready for delivery before late November. Colored Callas are dug in October. 
These will be delivered after those dates. 
When we cannot send all the bulbs in the first shipment, a colored slip in your 
package will state the shipment is incomplete. Some discard this slip without reading 
it and notify us we omitted part of order. Then we must look it up and write to 
explain. You should of course notify us at once in case of unexplained shortage as we 
want to correct our errors. 
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 humus 
is added. 
All soils require the addition of large amounts of humus. You should compost all 
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 explained. 
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 seeds. 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 meal for a sick man as a means of recovery? 
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