one can combine rotted leaf mould and old rotted dairy manure well broken up and 
rubbed thru a screen of smallest gauge. For most plants the proportion can be % sandy 
loam, 44 humus. 
Fertilizers. Many advise the addition of fertilizer to potting soils. We never use any 
except the rotted dairy manure and leaf mould and sometimes a tablespoon of bone meal. 
If new roots come into contact with much fertilizer they are burned. Commercial fertilizer 
is especially a hazard. When the plants have become well rooted and have made a good 
top growth, most of them will be helped by using liquid manure. Cover manure with 
water and allow to settle. Pour off water and dilute further until it is a very light amber, 
the color of weak tea. This can be used about every two weeks but don’t use it on dry 
soil and thirsty plants. 
Sun exposure. Note requirements of plants under listings. For full sun, use a south 
window. For half sun use an east or west window and add a thin curtain if it proves too 
much. For Clivias and others requiring full shade or only a little filtered sunlight, use a 
north window or place on a stand at a distance from window, but always give plenty of 
light and good ventilation, especially in gas heated rooms. 
Temperature. Most bulbs root better in a cool room of 45°. There must not be too 
much water given while roots are starting as it may cause bulbs to rot even when cool. 
When a bud or foliage shows that growth has started, gradually bring the temperature to 
about 70° and water a little more. The best temperatures for plants vary. Some like more 
warmth than others. This is indicated in the special culture directions for these plants. 
Probably more failures in forcing bulbs result from starting the forcing process 
(bringing the bulbs into a warm room with more light) before they are well rooted, 
than from any other cause. Experienced gardeners know how to reverse a pot, tap 
lightly on its edge and lift it up and off of the lump of soil and without breaking this 
lump. If the new roots have penetrated to the sides of the pot they may be brought to a 
warmer place with more light. It is much better to move them by easy stage not by a 
sudden change from 45° to 70°. Let the change of temperature be not over 10° at a 
shift. Imitate nature. 
After flowering, very few plants may be dried off. Early blooming plants, especially, 
must be kept growing for a long time, some of them, like Amaryllis, for all summer. 
Amaryllis and many others may be plunged or shifted to the outside garden when weather 
is sufficiently warm, to complete their growth. Give them good culture, enough water 
and liquid fertilizer or manure mulch to keep them growing. Only when leaves begin 
to yellow in spite of good culture, are they ready to become dormant. Then gradually 
dry them off and repot. Bring in before heavy frosts. 
CATALOG ARRANGEMENT 
is by Plant Families. We also try to group plants according to their relationships, rather 
than alphabetically. You need to read the entire catalog. 
In the following lists the genus (plu. genera) is mentioned first. After it, the species 
(plu. also species) or horticultural variety is named. The initial of the genus is used for 
the second and succeeding species. Thus A. will stand for Amaryllis or Agapanthus 
depending on the genus last named in full. | 
THE AMARYLLIS FAMILY—Amaryllidaceae 
This Family includes the following bulbs, Agapanthus thru The Alliae. 
The American Plant Life Society was founded in 1934 as The American Amaryllis 
Society. The interests of the Society have recently been enlarged to include other bulbs 
and plants and the name changed, but with no lessening in interest in Amaryllids. 
The annual book, “Herbertia,” is devoted to Amaryllids. It consists of about 250 
pages, beautifully illustrated, on fine book paper, and is edited by Dr. Hamilton P. Traub 
of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, the greatest living authority on the Amaryllidaceae. 
Each member receives a copy. 
The members also receive the occasional publication, “Plant Life,’ on other bulbs 
and plants. 
