Adventures In Gardening 
How often have you been thrilled by the experience of growing rare, exotic plants gathered from all 
parts of the world? How often were your friends amazed to see flowers in your own garden which they never 
even knew existed? 
Perhaps they stumbled upon a clump of Iris Reticulata and stood back in wonderment upon seeing 
an exquisite Iris, so miniature in size, as fresh and fragrant as a newly cut bunch of violets. 
Or, maybe you surprised them with a group of dwarf Water-Lily Tulips which have the most un- 
usual color combinations ever seen in any flowers. 
Maybe it was a plant from the forbidden Himalays; from the tangled jungles of Africa; from a sea- 
. Swept coastland, or from a barren desert that captured their attention. 
But no matter what plant it was, or what distant land it came from, it certainly cause a great deal 
of excitement in the neighborhood. 
Can you recall that wonderful feeling you had when you saw those rare, intriguing plants in their 
full glory and heard the exclamations of your gardening friends and neighbors? 
In my frequent travels I have always been filled with the desire to bring many of the fascinating 
plants I’ve seen to the attention of gardeners everywhere, as I have long realized that American gardeners have 
been deprived of many, many exotic and intriguing plants just because they are difficult to obtain. 
Plant explorers from all parts of the world have been most eager to collect these beautiful and un- 
usual plants for people like you who delight in growing them. Many have trekked through miles of jungles, 
cutting their way through dense, tangled undergrowth, with countless dangers lurking in the dark forbidden 
places traveled through. Other expeditions climed the high, brooding mountains of Central Asia, and even 
ventured behind the iron-curtain onto the plains of Siberia. Others were in Palestine, dodging bullets with 
every step taken. 
While these adventuresome explorers have been covering the distant corners of the world collecting 
rare and exciting new treasures for your garden, other men of equal valor and enthusiasm have been patiently 
working to develop new creations from the old. 
World-famous plant breeders and growers throughout North America, Western Europe, Australia 
and Africa -- in near or distant places all over the world -- have been working tirelessly for generations 
developing countless new varieties for you and your gardening friends; Exquisite new creations that are 
matchless in perfection, embodied with greater vigor and ruffedness, available in exciting new forms, new 
colors, and new beauty. 
Through the combined and inspired work of these men of vision; the plant explorer, the grower and 
the hybridist; you are now able to enjoy a greater measure of pleasure and happiness from your own garden 
than ever before. Many are the fascinating varieties, rare species and new creations I have gathered together 
for you in the following pages --- providing you with the most unusual selection of flower bulbs in the world. 
Before deciding on which of these subject you would like to have, you will undoubtedly want to se- 
lect ‘“‘basic’’ bulbous plants around which you will develop your garden plan. For these “‘basic’’ plants you 
should use the outstanding varieties listed and discussed in our manual, FLORAL TREASURES OF THE 
WORLD (our main catalog for the fall bulb planting season). The fascinating and beautiful subjects which I’ve 
collected together in THE PLANT EXPLORER’S NOTEBOOK should be used as ‘‘added attractions”’ to 
complete your basic garden requirements, giving your garden that extra sparkle, the charm and individuality, 
and exceptionally colorful displays that always bring exclamations of delight and admiration from your friends. 
If you take pleasure in growing only the unusual, or if you like to specialize in a particular group 
of bulbs, you will find the wealth of material herein more than satisfying. Many of the most intriguing gems 
will not be found listed in any other American catalog. 
Whether you’re just beginning to explore these wonderous subjects or are a confirmed fancier, I 
urge you to use the listings in both FLORAL TREASURES OF THE WORLD and THE PLANT EXPLORER’S 
NOTEBOOK side by side. Then you will have a complete range of floral personalities from which to make 
your selections. 
Whatever your gardening plans, you need these countless treasures to make your garden the most 
outstanding and beautiful in your neighborhood --- thus starting on adventures and explorations of your own 
that will lead to unknown heights of happiness, pleasure and excitement. 
‘‘Bon Voyage’’ 
Alpe 
