ask P.M. to return this catalog at our expense, thus saving paper, labor and 
postage. 
Correspondence. We enjoy your friendly letters. I answer them twice a year 
in our Introductory Letter. It is a fact that I work twelve hours a day or more 
and am still unable to answer all letters requiring it. Read entire catalog before 
asking questions. 
Identifying Bulbs. We usually can. Send flower, foliage and if possible, a 
bulb. Give all facts known. Enclose self-addressed postcard and attach your 
letter to outside of package. We do not attempt to identify horticultural varieties 
of Gladiolus, Iris, etc. 
Time of Delivery. All bulbs are delivered within range of correct planting 
dates. 
GENERAL CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
Rich sandy loam is the best soil. Only a few, like Bearded Iris, prefer heavy 
soil. A. very few, like Gloriosas, must have sandy soil. 
All soils require the addition of much humus. Compost all garbage, weeds, 
leaves, cut branches and manures. When rotted, add to soil and thoroly mix. 
Fertilizers. We recommend only animal manures and compost. Fresh manure 
can be used on a few plants, that are growing vigorously, as a very light mulch, 
_ but after flowering. Too much fertilizer before flowering time may almost or 
wholly stop the flowers. When the growth of a plant becomes abnormally rapid 
it is unlikely to flower or produce fruit. Your over-fertilized peach tree is likely 
to produce no fruit. 
Do not fertilize a plant in dry soil, or use any fertilizer, unless thoroly rotted 
in a compost heap, in the soil before planting bulbs, seeds or plants. Water lawns, 
trees, any plants well the day before applying fertilizer and again a few days 
after application. 
After blooming, many neglect their bulbs. As a result the bulbs do not flower 
the following year. For success one must continue to give good culture. This is 
the time to fertilize, irrigate and cultivate frequently, until yellowing foliage in- 
dicates the bulb is becoming dormant. During this growth period next year’s 
flower buds are formed. 
Depth of planting and distance apart often cause too much concern. Bulbs 
usually have sufficient adaptability to do well under widely varying conditions. If 
left in one place a few years, most bulbs adjust themselves to their preferred 
depth. Approximately, bulbs should be about 2 or 3 times their diameter apart 
unless their habit of growth is spreading—like Ranunculus. In such cases plant 
farther apart. Small bulbs as large as Daffodils may be 4” to 6” deep. Bulbs with 
a heavy erect stem need deep planting in order to remain erect. Plant deeper in 
light sandy soils than in heavy soils and in cold climates to protect them from 
frost. 
Pests. Snails and Slugs. are most serious garden pests. We have found the 
very best control is furnished by Bug-geta Pellets. They also kill cut worms and 
grasshoppers. They can be dropped or broadcast. Because so easy to apply, they 
are more economical than powders which require you to stoop in placing them. 
‘ Buy the economical way, in 25 lb. bags. Price $3.75 f.o.b. La Verne. Ants are a 
pest in the house and in the garden. They distribute Aphis and Mealy bug and 
tend them like domestic animals. Best control is Ant-B-Gon. Set of 4 dispensers, 
filled, 60c f.o.b. La Verne. Best to send by mail. Ask your P.M. the amount of 
postage required on 2 lbs. from La Verne and send this amount above the price of 
60c. Ant-B-Gon liquid for refilling, 4 oz. 25c postpaid. Mealy bugs are a serious 
pest to garden and house plants. They are everywhere and must be controlled. 
First destroy ants. Wash them off of house plants and use a spray of water from 
hose to dislodge from garden plants. You will still need to spray with Garden 
Volc. Use any type of sprayer and a small fly sprayer will do for house plants 
ue Garden Volc, 4 oz. for 30c postpaid. Use Garden Vole also against Scale 
Insects. 
Garden Success requires aggressive effort on your part. One can always 
blame the bulbs for failure, but it-does not advance one’s knowledge of gardening. 
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