responsibility if you do not. Such a guarantee usually means that the expense of replace- 
ments is spread over the entire sales and everyone pays more for the plants. Everyone 
fails sometimes and we try to learn from our failures. As necessary culture directions are 
in this catalog, we send none with the bulbs and other plants. 
Catalogs. Spring Catalog mailed Jan. 15, Fall Catalog, Aug. 15, or soon after. If you 
do not send us your orders your name is dropped from our mailing list. If not interested 
please refuse catalog or ask P.M. to return at our expense. Current catalogs are free. If 
an old catalog is wanted, please send a dime for it. 
We ship to every state and territory and to every continent. Calif. bulbs and plants 
do well, everywhere. 
General Culture Directions 
Rich sandy loam is the best soil. But if too sandy, it may lack fertility. It will require 
more rainfall or irrigation. The ideal garden soil will contain sand, clay and humus, 
Some plants, like Bearded Iris, do best in a heavy soil. Plants of this nature seldom if ever 
like shade or acid soils and deep drainage is not so necessary. Some plants, like Gloriosas, 
must have deep sandy soil. Probably most tuberous plants prefer sandy soil. 
All soils require the addition of much humus. Compost all garbage, weeds, leaves, 
cut branches and manures. When rotted, add to soil and thoroly mix. 
Fertilizer. We recommend only animal manures, compost and commercial fertilizers 
that are mostly of organic origin such as Spoonit, listed in this catalog. In the outside 
garden fresh manure can be used on most plants that are growing vigorously as a very 
light mulch, but after flowering. Too much fertilizer before flowering may almost or 
wholly stop the flowers. When the growth of a plant becomes abnormally rapid it is 
unlikely to flower or produce fruits. 
Do not fertilize a plant in dry soil, or use any fertilizer (unless thoroly rotted in a 
compost heap) in the soil before planting bulbs, seeds or plants. Water lawns, trees, and 
plants well the day before applying fertilizer and again a few days after application. Do 
not fertilize a sick plant in order to make it well. You are more likely to make it worse 
or even kill it. Small plants and seedlings should not have too much either. Lush, rapid 
growth may be weak and “flabby.” Sturdy growth with firm structure is better. 
Compare plants with people. Both are living, organic beings. Air, water and food 
are necessary for 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 or 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, which we list under Garden Supplies. 
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 soil than in heavy soils and in cold climates to 
protect them from frost. 
Pests. Snails, slugs, ants, mealy bugs, thrips, aphis, leaf hoppers, mites, red spider 
and scale are among the most serious pests in the garden or on house and greenhouse 
plants. They must be controlled. See our listing of Insecticides under Garden Supplies. 
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), 
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