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a flat in the cool shade of a trée. In cold weather start them in a moderately warm room. 
When not over 1” high transfer to garden. For pots, place pots when starting the bulbs 
as directed for the flats. The best soil is rich sandy loam. To heavier soils add much leaf 
mould. Do not water much when sprouting as the best bulbs will rot if too wet. 
We offer only the large size. They cost much more per bulb but each bulb gives so 
many flowers that your flowers cost no more and are earlier; larger, better and more sure. 
Tecolote Giant Double Ranunculus. 2 for 15c. 50c per doz. 
Anemones, large size bulbs, same price as Ranunculus. 
Maranta Kerchoveana. Rabbit Tracks. Nice, easy-to-grow shade plant, for pots. 
Acid soil. 75c. 
THE PINEAPPLE FAMILY — Bromeliaceae 
Bromeliads include Billbergia, Aregelia, Aechmea and many other genera. 
Billbergias are most unusual and fascinating plants. Not only are the flowers in intrigu- 
ing pastel shades but the flora! display is made brilliant by the large vividly colored bracts 
that cover the scape. The leaves form a rosette and are more or less rigid. Some have 
brightly colored leaves and others are often mottled, striped or barred. All are desirable 
foliage plants. 
How to Grow Billbergias. All are tropical or semitropical epiphytes and thus are 
hardy in outdoor gardens only in the deep south. But they are all easy to grow in pots 
and add distinction as well as beauty to the window garden. 
In pots, they should have a soil of 4 sand or sandy loam and % peat, or leaf mould. 
There should be plenty of drainage eee in the pot as poor drainage may soon destroy 
them. Do not overwater when first planted or in winter when semi-dormant. Nor should 
they become dry enough to shrivel the foliage. In hot weather when they are growing 
well, water liberally. Keep a drink of water in their cups in the center. 
In the outdoor garden they should have the same soil as recommended for pots. A 
few, like “nutans,” will grow in nearly any soil but will do much better in the type 
recommended. They do well on the trunks of Palms. 
They need about half shade. Too much sun will burn and finally destroy the foliage. 
© Those species and varieties having highly colored foliage do not develop their rich colors 
~ when too deeply shaded. Most of our plants are grown in a well shaded Clivia house. 
© When well established and growing, richer colors may be brought out by giving a little 
~ more sun than we do, Culture of Aechmea and Aregelia is the same. 
Aechmea calyculata. Bright green leaves, yellow fls. $2.00. 
Aregelia spectabilis. Bronze foliage, barred grey green on back. $3.00. 
Billbergia Burkholtzi. Tall, slender, erect green leaves. Rose bracts, lavender fls. $2.00. 
B. distachia. Long, reddish green lvs., spotted cream. Rose bracts, blue and green 
fls. 50c. 
B. nutans. Mid-winter, beautiful inflorescence on small plants. Fine pot plant. 50c 
B. nutans x Cryptanthus acaulis. Highly colored, bronze and green leaves. Compact 
- plant. $1.50. 
B. pyramidalis. Wide green lvs. Red fls. tipped violet, red bracts. $2.00. 
B. rubro-cyanea. Most colorful foliage, red and green spotted cream. Green fls., edged 
blue. Crimson bracts, $1.00. : 
B. speciosa. Green lvs., striped on back. Green fls., tipped blue, Rose bracts. $2.00 
B. Theodore L. Meade. Green lvs. and large, beautiful inflorescence, continuous all 
year on new growths. $1.50. 
B. thrysiflora, (pyramidalis x amoena). Finest hybrid. Beautiful inflorescence. $1.50. 
B. Zebrina. Lvs., banded white on back. Salmon bracts, green fls. $1.50. 
Collection all 12 varieties, value $19.00. Express, f.o.b., $16.50. By this method we 
can send larger plants. By mail, postpaid $17.50. 
Big 4 Collection. Nutans, Distachia, Rubro-cyanea and Zebrina. Value $3.50. Price 
$2.75. Include Special Handling for these plants by mail. 
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