screen, no lumps. Acid soil is required. Improve this soil if convenient by adding 
charcoal or a little soot. Give manure water and soot water (handful to 2% gal.) during 
growth. Sprinkle daily when growing well but there must not be too much moisture 
around bulbs before they sprout or they may rot. A good way to start Tub. Begonias 
bulbs as well as F. L. Caladiums or Gloxinias is in slightly moist peat or spagnum moss in 
a warm room. Don't hurry them and do not expect them to start too early. Another 
way is to pot them only when sprouts start. 
Giant Double Camellia Flowered Begonias are the very best. We offer them in the 
clearest and most desirable colors, white, yellow, rose, pink, orange, apricot, salmon, 
scarlet and red. Large bulbs 1%” -2” diam. Price 35c ea. All 9 sorts for $3.00. 
We can furnish smaller bulbs, from a very famous grower, in the following colors: 
White, blush, rose, pink, yellow, apricot, orange, dark red, scarlet, dark salmon, cardinal 
red, flame orange, light salmon, crimson rose and American Beauty. Size 1”-1%”. 
This size grows well, makes fine plants and flowers. It is the size professional growers 
use for potting. Price, 18c ea. 3 for 50c. All 15 colors for $2.40. 
Incidentally the colors in this lot are different in tone from those of the larger bulbs 
and the two full collections will give you 24 different varieties. Price, 24 sorts for $5.25. 
Gloxinias. Gesneriaceae 
Gloxinias rank with Fancy Leaf Caladiums as showy pot plants, for their foliage 
as well as for their large and gorgeously colored flowers. Culture. Plant in about a 
6” pot using soil as described for Begonias. Barely cover bulbs. Handle about the same 
as for Begonias including the feeding and watering. In watering do not let any moisture 
touch leaves. They require part shade and protection from winds if outside. When 
flowering ceases and foliage has fully matured gradually lessen the water given. When 
the foliage has all ripened off, the pots may be stored in a room at about 45° but give 
just enough water to prevent tubers from shriveling. Toward mid-Feb., those that 
show signs of growth may be brought out and started. 
Last year we were able to obtain delivery of only 50 bulbs, and needed 1000 or 
more. As a result most of our customers were disappointed. Gloxinias were almost a 
crop failure then and altho they are still scarce we are assured by two growers that they 
can deliver the bulbs to us this year. We are listing larger bulbs for the same as last 
year’s price in the following varieties. 
New American Hybrids. A superior strain in a great variety of color tones and 
combinations. (The following are European.) 
Blanch de Meru. Rose with white throat. 
Emperor Frederick. Scarlet, bordered white. 
Emperor William. Violet, bordered white. 
Mont Blanc. Pure white. 
Price, 14” -1%” bulbs, 45c ea. The 4 European sorts and 2 American hybrids, 
6 bulbs for $2.50. 
BILLBERGIAS Bromeliaceae 
Billbergias have a rich, tropical appearance with the showiest inflorescense. In both 
foliage and flowers they are most unusual and most lovely. The foliage is stiff and 
erect, forming a cup. They are tender tropicals that are easily grown in pots but do well 
outside in So. Calif. 
Being epiphytes they should be rooted in almost pure leaf mould, wood earth 
(rotted wood), peat or sphagnum moss mixed with a little sand for greater substance. 
But they do quite well in half sand and half leaf mould or peat. Here they need half 
shade, but in the house, a sunny window is usually right. Sun brings out rich colors 
of foliage but don’t overdo the sun exposure as it may burn the leaves and prevent their 
functioning. The “cups” should hold a drink when growing. In the winter they rest 
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