describes almost every cultivated plant. A wealth of culture information is also included. 
For $20.00 we will send the complete set, postpaid. Sales tax in Calif. 50c. 
BULBS AS POT PLANTS 
Bulbs are the most desirable of pot plants and may be easily forced in the living 
room or kitchen. Their response is much more rapid than that of a recently potted 
non-bulbous plant because of their storehouse of food and energy in the bulb. The 
reward is often an outstanding flower in a few weeks. But their desirability scarcely 
needs any promotion. Our grandmothers grew and loved their potted bulbs. They 
are more popular today and there is a greater need for them than ever before. Many 
mothers and wives have written to us that sons or husbands are in the service of their 
country and that their flowers do more to help them keep up than anything else. One 
lives with one’s flowers, but not always with one’s friends and relatives. But it is not 
one the distressed who need flowers. The gay and carefree are equally stabilized 
y them. 
It is not too late to pot bulbs. Indeed this is the best time to pot the Pink, Yellow 
and Spotted Leaf Callas. In February one can begin to start Tuberous Begonias and 
Gloxinias. Fancy Leaf Caladiums require either warm weather or a warm room. We 
have often started them in May or June. 
Now is a good time to obtain Amaryllis bulbs and to pot them. Besides the bulbs 
already mentioned you may choose for potting any of the following at this time: 
Agapanthus mooreanus minor; Amarcrinum Howardi; Clivia; Haemanthus; Ismene 
and its hybrids; Elisena; Crinums Cecil Houdyshel and Powelli alba; Sprekelia; 
Tulbaghia; Billbergias; Cymbidium Orchids and others, as mentioned in their listings. 
I have mentioned only the most outstanding bulbs for potting here. Many other 
bulbs listed in this catalog are also desirable for potting. For that matter one can grow 
about anything in a pot of appropriate size but I would not recommend a Sequoia 
gigantea. 
Potting Directions 
The pot for a 2%” Amaryllis bulb should be about 7” diam. This is about right 
for most bulbs of that size. Give larger or smaller bulbs, pots proportionate in size. 
Small bulbs may be planted 2” or 3” apart in pots up to 6” diam. 
It is most important that drainage be perfect and the soil of a friable texture that 
allows water to drain perfectly. Cover the hole in the bottom of pot with reversed 
bits of broken pots and on top of that small pebbles then coarse sand will help. An 
imperfectly drained soil often causes bulbs to rot before starting and if they start they 
do not grow and flower well. Yellow tipped leaves often indicate poor drainage. The 
pots should be clean and scalded. 
The proper soil is a rich sandy loam with the addition of thoroly rotted leaf 
mould. Add peat or oak-leaf mould for acid loving plants. Use no fresh manure or 
other fertilizer at planting. Be very discreet even in using old rotted manure. Rotted 
dairy manure is rather safe. A heaping tablespoonful of bone meal is good. Thoroly 
mix all ingredients. 
Most small bulbs should be planted just under soil surface. 
An Amaryllis and most large bulbs may have % of bulb above surface. When 
placed, the soil may be settled by a thoro watering, once. After that no more water 
is usually needed until after growth begins, altho the soil should not become quite dry 
at base of bulb. A wet condition very long often rots a dormant bulb before they start, 
or later. The soil surface may appear dry and yet be too wet for starting bulbs at 
center of pot. 
Most bulbs should have a cool room, about 60° while rooting and only slight 
moisture. When a bud or foliage gives evidence that growth has started, bring the 
pot to living room temperature, of about 70° and water slightly more. It is not time 
to water them freely yet. Do that only when flowering or in full growth. Do not 
overwater at any time. Sufficient time between waterings must be given to allow water 
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