There are many kinds of bulbs and tubers which tax the ingenuity of the pest 
garden fans to grow properly, some which puzzle expert horticulturists for years. 
Some are hardy, others half-hardy, and some purely tropical. Some of the tropical 
subjects will stand a lot of cold, and some few of the hardy bulbs, and related plants, 
are suited to warm climate areas (Hemerocallis, Leucojum, etc.) but largely our 
material is for the lath house and garden im the subtropics, such as the lower South, 
and for the greenhouse, conservatory and window garden in the North. Some can 
be grown outside in the summer like gladiolus in Northern climes, as Ismenes and 
Gloriosa Rothschildiana. 
There is a subtle fascination in the great fantastic field of bulbs, tubers and 
tuberous rooted plants which grows on you. If you are not prepared to come under 
the delightful, healthful spell of this fascination, we humbly suggest that you collect 
paper match covers or take up some similarly less intriguing pastime. 
THE PAST YEAR 
The proprietor of Lakemont Gardens is happy to report that the past year since 
his 1947 catalogue was issued (the first since 1941) has seen a steady progress in 
the stocks of bulbs and plants at the Gardens, and this year we hope to have our cut 
flower garden operating for the winter season for the first time since before the war. 
The hired hand situation is still critical, inasmuch as the cost of day labor is 
now more than three times what it was a few years ago. All other expenses, of 
running a bulb farm (including the cost of living for the owner) are far above pre- 
war figures. The cost of tools, fertilizer, seed-bed muslin, wire, lumber, etc. is still 
at absurd figures, due to the post-war inflation. 
At the same time we are trying to hold our prices at what we consider reason- 
able levels, under the circumstances. Many of these are below those of other dealers 
in the same lines, and where we have been obliged to advance prices it is, we hope, 
a temporary matter, until things ‘‘come down to earth.’’ 
In the past year’s operations we have imported new bulbs and tubers from 
Holland, India, China and other far lands to maintain our reputation. for things dif- 
ferent and new. At this time we believe that we have a large number of items 
obtainable from few or no other dealers in the United States. International trade 

EASTER LILY PLANTING in bloom on shore of Lake Berry at Lakemont Gardens, Winter 
Park, Fla. 
