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 are 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. 
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 plently 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? 
After Blooming, many persons neglect their bulbs. A Gladiolus must grow and 
fatten at least two months after flowering and 3 or 4 mo. are better. Amaryllis should 
grow with luxuriant foliage until late November or longer if it does not begin to yellow. 
Let us consider the annual growth cycle of a bulb. 
A dormant bulb contains a flower bud and short new leaves. There is stored up 
food in the form of starches, etc., and also enzymes for digesting this food. While 
dormant, the stored up starches are turned into soluble sugar. Roots, buds and foliage 
begin to develop in their natural order and your care is rewarded. When thru flowering, 
the bulb has become smaller and is soft instead of firm and plump. This is a critical 
time. The bulb may appear at a pause for a short time but when a good root system 
has developed it will begin active growth. Encourage that. Give them food and water. 
Enough, not too much. An Amaryllis will often grow 6 mo. or longer and a Gladiolus 
3 or 4 after flowering. The longer you can keep it growing, the larger and better will 
be your resulting bulb for next year. The yellowing of foliage will signify the bulb has 
reached full development. If you do not feed and water your plants, pets, domestic 
animals and children when they are awake and hungry, they do not thrive. If you 
know how to make a husband happy (or a wife) you should know how to make a plant 
“happy.” Don’t “love ’em and leave ’em,” and over-coddling is often as bad as neglect. 
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 from 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. 
5 
