often the final result is bad. The physical structure of soils is the most 
important thing. A well drained, friable soil is the best. Sand and humus 
can be added in sufficient quantities at least in flower beds and the humus 
can be added in fields by growing cover crops. For humus, add rotted manure, 
composted weeds, grasses and leaves, leaf mould or peat. It is seldom 
necessary to add any but organic materials to soils. 
Compare plants with people. Both are living, organic beings. Air, water 
and food are necessary to their growth and health. But one does not give 
babies beefsteak, fried potatoes, apple pie and a cup of coffee. Nor is this a 
good diet for an invalid or an ill person, however good it may be for one in 
vigorous health who performs hard physical labor. Nor should plants be over 
fed nor fed at all if sick or thirsty. But since one cannot add much rich food 
when potting a bulb, very good results may be obtained by a monthly feeding 
of very weak liquid manure, color of very weak tea. A more convenient way 
is to use Spoonit, Plantabs or Vigoro tabs which we. list under Garden 
Supplies. They are less messy. 
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 indicates 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. 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 serious pests and must be controlled in flower 
and vegetable garden. The best control is Bug-Geta Pellets. These may be 
broadcast while one must stoop to place a powder. They also help to control 
cut worms and grasshoppers. The 25 lb. bags are the most economical way 
to buy for a bad infestation. Ants are pests everywhere. They distribute aphis 
and mealy bug and tend them like domestic animals. Ant-B-Gon will kill 
entire colony. Quick temporary relief may be had in greenhouse and garden 
by use of a Chlordane dust, very poisonous. Keep it off of food plants and 
away from children and pets. Do not breathe the dust and clean up thoroly 
after applying it. It is also an excellent dusting powder on Gladiolus as a 
remedy for thrips. It also gets cut worms. Mealy bugs are universal pests 
and very destructive to plants. First, destroy all the ants and wash or clean 
them off of house or greenhouse plants. A bit of cotton twisted around end 
of a toothpick and then dipped in alcohol is a useful tool. In the garden, a 
spray of water from the hose will dislodge mealy bugs, aphis, etc. Mealy 
bugs and mites and sometimes Red Spider are serious pests on house or 
greenhouse plants. Any spray containing parathion or lindane will control 
these but they are so extremely poisonous that we do not list them or take 
the responsibility of giving directions for their use. They are unsafe for use 
in a living room. For plants in the house try N. N. O. R. It is safe, but less 
effective. For Scale use an oil base spray, preferably containing D.D. T. 
which you can add. Do not use oil sprays on orchids. Use only wettable or 
liquid D. D. T. Sprays. : 
See our listing of Insecticides under Garden Supplies. 
If you do much garden work and end the day too tired, you owe it to 
yourself to use our light weight plastic and indestructible Resinite garden 
hose. See the listing. It is the most economical of all. 
Acid and Alkaline soils. Most plants thrive in mildly acid, neutral or 
mildly alkaline soils. But others do not have so wide a range of tolerance. 
Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, Gardenias, Zantedeschias, Caladiums (and 
other members of Arum family), Nerines, Haemanthus, Gloxinias, Begonias, 
Orchids and most shade loving plants require an acid soil. Some like Gladiolus 
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