Select Strains, Near White. 2/4” up. Last year we found about 5% of these were 
pure white. None have as much color as White Backgrounds. We have planted seed of 
these and a few came pure white. They are hardier and easier to grow than the imported 
whites. Price $3.00, or 3 for $8.00. 
Select Strains, White Background. 242” up. The general effect is of a white flower 
but all have markings in a variable degree. $1.00; 3 for $2.75. 
Select Strains, Scarlet or light red. 2%” up. $1.00. 3 for $2.75. 
Select Strains, Crimson, 2)” up. $1.00; 3 for $2.90. 
Select Strains, Rose shades. These are all the shades found in roses except yellow and 
white and many have the purple or lilac tone of the rose. $1.25; 3 for $3.50. 
Please note, the above are not described as self colors. A few are selfs. When you get 
a self color in good quality, it will be worth 3 times its cost. 
Delivery as soon as weather permits. 
Houdyshel’s Hardy Hybrids. These are not hardy outdoors in the colder northern 
states but as far north as North Carolina, Washington, D. C., Oklahoma and even So. 
Kansas these have proven winter hardy if covered by 4” or 5” of soil and given a good 
winter mulch of straw. Possibly with a pile of brush above the straw they might be 
wintered in the garden further north. 
This is an extremely vigorous, rapid growing and multiplying strain and equally pro- 
lific with flowers. Most of them are similar in color, orange scarlet with white throat and 
green keel. An ideal strain for outside planting and landscape effects. Their bright vivid 
color “hits you in the eye.” Altho not an exhibition type, many will like them in pots, 
where they are easier to grow than the more aristocratic hybrids. 75c ea. $7.50 per doz. 
Extra large bulbs, $1.00. 
Amaryllis Seed. Our 1951 crop was small and was priced according to supply. A 
few are left on hand. They will not germinate in as high a percentage as fresh seed but 
if planted now they are likely to flower one year earlier than if you wait for 1952 seed. 
Price is reduced in proportion to probable germination percentage. 25 seed for 45c. 
Plant seed as soon as received in good sandy loam soil. Add a good portion of fine 
leaf mould. Seed may be just touching on edges. Cover with 2” soil. If in pots and soil 
is wet, cover with a pane of glass and they are likely to come up before soil becomes dry. 
Keep seedlings in house or greenhouse the first 2 or 3 winters so that they can grow all 
winter. If this is done, they usually begin to flower in 2 or 3 years. They can be trans- 
planted at any time to give more growing space. 
Plant Breeding is an interesting science and art. Undertaken as a hobby, it has often 
resulted in fame. It will involve and develop great skill, ideals of beauty, good taste and 
intelligence. I suggest you start with our Select Strains. Get several bulbs and use the 
pollen only from those you like the best. Cross pollination is easily accomplished by 
placing the powdery pollen borne by the six stamens on the stigma in the center. The 
stigma when ready for pollen will usually be opened into three parts. Seed should be 
planted soon after ripening. Some of the seedlings of our Select Strains will be fine self 
colors. 
Brunsvigia rosea, Lycoris aurea, alba, Sprengeri, radiata and squamigera and all the 
Nerine species can be moved about June to July. Unfortunately too many people do not 
like to work in the gardens in the summer, especially to plant bulbs. When we list them 
in the spring we sell too few to pay for the space used in catalog altho that is the very 
best time to move these bulbs. If you are an exception, please order these items from our 
last fall catalog or any former catalog and request they be sent about July 1. 
Clivias have evergreen, strap-like foliage somewhat resembling that of Amaryllis. 
The flowers are produced in umbels of 10 to 25, in rich and exquisite tones of orange, 
in March and April. When not in flower the deep rich green foliage and later the red 
fruits are most ornamental. 
Culture. They are usually grown in pots, even in the south, as more perfect foliage 
is thus possible, and when in flower one wants them in the house. We grow them in a 
lath house, lath spaced 4%” apart, and in garden under Avocado (evergreen) trees, directly 
in the soil as they are often grown in Calif. When grown thus they will make very large 
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