MONT BLANC. S. This beautiful Lilac is one of the very best of the 
single whites. The plant is compact and shapely in growth, with 
clean foliage. The panicles are large, rather compact and of beautiful 
form. The florets are immense in size. Color a creamy white. 
2 to 3 ft., $2.50; 3 to 4 ft., $3.50 
OLIVIER DE SERRES. D. A clear, clean, uniform light blue. The bush 
is tall and a good grower. The large double flowers are packed closely 
on the stem. Panicles are very large and the general effect of the 
plant when in full bloom is simply amazing. Like all of these Lilacs 
one does not see this variety at its very best until the plant is from 
8 to 10 years of age. We class it as a Lilac of the very highest quality. 
2 to 3 ft., $4.00; 3 to 4 ft., $5.00 
PAUL THIRION. D. Although this Lilac was first sent out in 1915, 
it is still very scarce. Of all the Lilacs we would say that this one 
taken from a distance is the richest looking of all Lilacs. The trusses 
are large and composed of very double florets of an intense claret- 
rose. The buds are bright, rich red, not purple. A red blending into 
rose. ' 
2 to 3 ft., $5.00 













Lilac Descriptions 
Many of the peculiarities of any variety of Lilac are easily 
described. One can tell at a glance whether the florets are single, 
semi-double, or double, or whether the panicles are simple or 
compound, long or short, loose or compact. 
But when it comes to color probably no two persons would 
name exactly alike the colors of any dozen varieties of Lilacs. 
A little explanation may help to interpret our descriptions. 
When we say a Lilac is red, we do not mean that it is scarlet; or 
when we say it is blue, we do not mean sky-blue, as an occasional 
customer seems to expect. The truth is, the colors of all Lilacs 
are soft. They are made up of different proportions of blue and 
red with more or less addition of white. If the red predominates 
in the light shades, we may call the color pink or rose. If the blue 
predominates decidedly, we may call the color blue; but if the 
blue while dominant is less pronounced we may call it lavender 
or lilac or violet or mauve. 












In the dark colors, if the red predominates decidedly we may 
call it red, as with Reaumur. If the blue predominates we call it 
purple. Then to be more definite we sometimes say reddish pur- 
ple or purplish red. 
It must be remembered also that, aside from the difficulty of 
getting an exact name for the normal color of a variety, this color 
may change somewhat with the season. For example, this year 
we had cool, cloudy, and rainy weather throughout the Lilac sea- 
son. Consequently, the colors were all darker than usual. The 
character of the soil also sometimes changes the color slightly. 
We make our descriptions as clear as we can, but we under- 
stand how difficult it is for a purchaser who cannot visit a Lilac 
field during the blooming season to make his selection. However, 
we list only good varieties} those that should give much pleasure 
to those who plant them. 
PRESIDENT LOUBET. D. Red. One of the very choicest. Medium 
height plant. Panicles appear rather small just as the florets begin to 
open but they slowly develop as the florets continue to open. until 
they become immense. A bright red in the bud stage, but showing 
considerable white on the inner edge of the opened petal. 
18 to 24 in., $3.50; 2 to 3 ft., $5.00 
PRESIDENT POINCARE. D. Very thrifty; grows into a large, heavily- 
limbed bush. Panicles large to very large, globular, made up of many 
lobes. Petals very large, purplish red on outside, turning to lavender- 
blue as they open. An immense and impressive bloom. 
2 to 3 ft., $3.00; 3 to 4 ft., $3.50 
RUHM VON HORSTENSTEIN. S. A Lilac that produces blooms of the 
greatest size even on small bushes set out but two years. It is an even 
toned light red-purple. One of those self colors everyone likes. 
People marvel at the immense blooms of this variety on bushes not 
more than 4 feet high. Bloom so profuse some years as to almost 
hide the foliage. 2 to 3 ft., $4.00; 3 to 4 ft., $5.00 
SOUV. de LUDWIG SPAETH. S. Red. Although one of the oldest of 
the improved Lilacs still it is one of the very best Lilacs grown. It 
seems impossible to get a red that has so many good, and so few bad 
qualities as Ludwig Spaeth. Panicles long and held erect well out 
from the foliage. Color a brilliant intense rich purple-red, that holds 
up well in the sun and lasts a long time. Bush large and a very pro- 
fuse bloomer. A wonderful Lilac. 2 to 3 ft., $2.00; 3 to 4 ft., $2.50 
VESTALE. S. One of the best and most graceful of all single whites. 
Trusses very large at base, tapering gracefully to a point, making a 
true cone. Pure rich white. Will satisfy the most exacting. Many 
people admire very much the single white Lilac. Vestale is as fine 
a single white as can be found. Very graceful as a cut flower. 
2 to 3 ft., $2.50; 3 to 4 ft., $3.00 
VICTOR LEMOINE. D. This is about the most wonderful of all the 
French Lilacs. It is no wonder that Victor Lemoine, the originator, 
gave to it his own name. We class it as one of the three or four very 
best, if not the best. Florets are very double like little double Roses. 
These are gathered into panicles of the largest size, and the color 
effect is simply indescribable. The general effect is a soft rosy pink 
overlaid with a delicate blue-lavender. This is also one of the very 
latest to bloom. It is a self color. It is a great Lilac. Only a few to 
spare. 2 to 3 ft., $4.00; 3 to 4 ft., $5.00 
VOLCAN. S. As near a true deep red as we have. Panicles which are 
very long, large, and shapely, come up well above the foliage. These 
panicles look rather open as they are in the bud stage but as they de- 
velop they open into one of the finest, most shapely, and attractive of 
all red Lilacs. It is the latest of all the red-purples. 
2 to 3 ft., $2.50; 3 to 4 ft., $3.00 

Our 1949 fall sales for our Own-Root French Lilacs was the great- 
est in the history of our 81 years in business. We sold out com- 
pletely on a few of our better varieties but in the fall of 1950, we 
shall be able to supply them again. See pages 38 and 59 for this list. 

3 Genuine Brand Lilacs 
Naturally, the law of averages cannot possibly regulate the demand 
for all Lilacs so evenly as to prevent a surplus of some and a shortage 
of others. It is nothing unusual to find that the varieties in which 
we have a surplus include the very best of the good standard kinds. 
To keep our stock arranged in balanced quantities, we are willing to 
send these out at a special low price which provides for this Final 
Collection Offer: 
Three fine French Lilacs, all different colors, all labeled, 
our selection. A guaranteed value of at least $7.00, for... 
Strong, 2- to 3-ft. plants, not prepaid. 







$5.00 
CONTROL OF PESTS 
PESTS: Oystershell scale and the Lilac borer are about the only enemies of the 
Lilac. For oystershell scale use as a spray either lime-sulphur or an oil spray. Use 
liquid lime-sulphur in preference to dry at the rate of 1 part to 7 parts water, or 
if the oil spray is used, then at the rate of 1 part to 15 parts water. In using the 
oil spray be sure the sprayer is thoroughly cleaned out before putting in the oil. 
Lime-sulphur spray should be applied just as the buds are beginning to show green, 
while the oil spray should be used just before the buds show any green. 
The LILAC BORER is best handled by prevention. If bushes are kept well cul- 
tivated and growing, there is but little borer trouble. Where the borer is at work, 
he may be taken and killed by running a small wire into the hole and twisting it 
around to accomplish this. One can also shoot carbon bisulphide into the furrow 
of the borer with a medicine or fountain pen dropper; then plug up the entrance 
with putty or gum. Don’t wait until this destructive worm has destroyed a part of 
your Lilac bush. 
Our Guarantee 
In the fall our Lilacs are dug fresh from our fields and are sent out 
promptly. We guarantee our stock 
to be true to name and that it will 
reach you in first class condition. If you are not satisfied, write us 
promptly. Our responsibility ends after planting is made. We have 
no control over weather conditions. However, if our stock is planted 
well in good soil, and cared for properly, it should give excellent 
satisfaction. Give your stock care from the beginning. Many people 
wait until stock begins to show signs of dying before they start to 
water or cultivate. 

i352) 
