They may also be grown from seed and may be crossed to produce new sorts. 
In the north they may be grown in pots in a cool room in plenty of sunlight. 
18” to 30” tall. 
Foster’s Purple. This may be a species or a hybrid. We name it for one 
who grew it. The color is a vivid purple. A most desirable, unusual and rare 
sort. Price reduced to 35c ea. or $3.00 per doz. 
Charm. Fine, rosy lavender, 25c ea. $2.50 doz. 
The Bride. Fine, pure white, 20c ea. $1.75 doz. 
Watsonias. Close relative of the Gladiolus but winter growing and 
earlier in bloom. They grow as tall or taller. The flowers are smaller but in 
very lovely spikes useful for cutting. The colors are varied, in most pleasing 
pastel tones, and bloom early if planted early. Better even the second and 
third years. Easy to have them for Decoration Day or before in Southern 
California. In most cases we have discarded names and substituted the name 
of their color. 
Culture. About the same as Glads. In the south they must be planted in 
early fall. At present, we will recommend them only for the deep south. Some 
report them hardy down to 0° but here ours start into early growth. For 
the last two years, when tops were 3’ tall, we have had extreme cold, down 
once to 20° and tops were frozen back. The result was no flowers, and we 
lost many bulbs (or corms). We can offer only one—the best—this year. 
Watsonia, Giant Lavender. This is not lavender but purple. Very large, ~ 
tall plant with long spike of very large flowers. Large corms for 40c ea. 
$3.50 per doz. No rate on 100. Mixed var. $1.50 doz. 
Freesias, Sparaxis, Ixias, Tritonias and Babianas are a closely related 
group of the Iris Family. Baby Glads are intermediate between these and the 
large Gladiolus. The culture requirements are similar. 
How to Grow Freesias, Sparaxis, Ixias, Tritonias and Babianas. This 
closely related group of bulbs have similar culture requirements. All are 
hardy only in the south where winter temperatures go no lower than about 
26°. At about that temperature some injury results but bulbs survive. They 
mature if even several degrees colder. Where temperatures are colder they 
may be grown in cold frames, cloth house or unheated houses. 
In the north, all are fine bulbs for pots in a cool room in the house or 
greenhouse. As they are naturally winter growers, they must have cool 
conditions and they do not flower well when forced at a temperature range 
of much above 40° to 60°. 
They should be grown in fiats 4” deep or in bulb pots or pans. A friable 
sandy loam with much leaf mould added is the best soil. If part of the humus 
is from composted, well rotted manure, better flowers result. Plant 6 to 8 
bulbs in a 5” to 7” pot and cover lightly. 
In the outside garden, bulbs may be planted 2” to 3” deep and 10 to 20 to 
the foot, according to size. Give full sun exposure. Plant or pot early. October 
is the best month. Good results follow Nov. planting and Dec. planted bulbs 
usually flower well but stems are shorter and flowers are usually a little 
smaller. We supply the largest bulbs we can grow or buy as they give 
stronger plants, larger and better flowers and are more sure to give maximum 
results than small bulbs. 
Freesias are the most deliciously fragrant flowers one can grow. The 
fragrance is not too heavy and is not cloying in the house or outside. 
We offer Mammoth White, pure white flowers; Mammoth Yellow, pure 
daffodil yellow; Oriole, deep orange, and Blanch Blue, best and largest blue. 
All are large forcing size corms, as are necessary for success in pot 
culture, and equally desirable for the outdoor garden as they will have large 
flowers on longer scapes. Price, loc each. 2 for 25c. $1.25 doz. The quantity 
rates apply only to the bulbs in one bag. Thus one of each if separately 
labelled take the single rate. 
Sparaxis are closely related to Freesias, but are far more colorful. The 
colors range thru vivid tones of bright red, crimson, carmine, pink, apricot 
and sometimes an almost white one. A few reds are almost maroon. There 
is usually a contrasting color in throat. They are a little taller than Freesias 
24 
