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 or 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. 
We publish over 60,000 catalogs per year. The volume of correspondence has 
become greater than is possible for me to take care of. If you are obliged to ask a 
question enclose a self-addressed postcard for reply. 
Identifying Bulbs. We can usually identify bulbs. Send flower, foliage and if 
possible, a bulb. Give all the facts known. Enclose self-addressed postcard. We do not 
undertake to identify horticultural varieties of Gladiolus, Iris, etc. 
Time of Delivery. We deliver all bulbs within the correct range of time for planting 
or before. With a grave shortage of labor we have sometimes been less prompt than we 
like. But we have some new and experienced office help now and are prepared to get 
out our orders more rapidly than last year. 
We expect to be able to deliver most bulbs ordered from this spring catalog with 
fair promptness. Most of the bulbs listed are ready for delivery. A few that we must 
buy, like Caladiums, Begonias and Gloxinias may not be delivered to us before Feb. |. 
Certain other bulbs like Crinums, Amarcrinum and large size of Amaryllis are left in 
the field to be dug only as ordered. Thus you will get a fresh dug bulb after the delay 
necessary to dig and dry a little. 
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? Do not fertilize when the 
ground is dry and plants need water. 
After Blooming, many persons neglect their bulbs. A Gladiolus must grow and 
fatten at least two months after flowering. 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 food stored 
5 
