Garden Bulbs In Color (1938/1945)

Frontispiece of a 296-page hardback "by J. Horace McFarland, L.H.D., R. Marion Hatton, Daniel J. Foley, designed by Walt R. Huber. "Published by J. Horace McFarland Company, Harrisburg, Penna. Distributed by the MacMillan Company, New York..."

"We wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the following firms in making possible the use of many of the color plates in this book. Bobbink & Atkins, Rutherford, N.J. Joseph Breck & Sons, Boston, Mass. William E. Clark, Sharon, Mass. The Conrad-Pyle Company, West Grove, Pa. H.G. Hastings Company, Atlanta, Ga. Wm. M. Hunt & Co., Inc., New York, N.Y. Henry F. Mitchell Company, Philadelphia, Pa. Reuter Seed Company, Inc., New Orleans, La. Max Schling Seedsmen, Inc., New York, N.Y. Stumpp & Walter Co., New York, N.Y. Hosea Waterer, Philadelphia, Pa..."

"...Several illustrations have been used from Bailey's 'Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture,' as originally produced at the Mount Pleasant Press, and published by the Macmillan Company..."

"...To be able to get faithful photographs and accurate color reproductions for his work, Dr. McFarland has long conducted series of tests of tulip and other bulbs in his own Breeze Hill Gardens, where literally thousands of varieties have been grown and photographed. The artists from Mount Pleasant Press have been able to work directly in the garden or from flowers freshly cut only a few moments before they were brought into the studio. For this reason, the colors are very true to variety..."

(Above) "A Darwin... the dark, rose-red lily flowers of Martha ..." (Below) "...sport of the Darwin... the Parrots, which the lovely Gadelan is helping carry along..."

"...The first of the more important bulbs to brighten our spring gardens... Natives of the eastern hemisphere, they are found wild in Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. They have spread with civilization to the four corners of the earth..."

"Because of the hardiness of these bulbs which are properly expected to remain undisturbed for several years, preparation of the soil should be thorough. They like a soil that is not too heavy, in which drainage is perfect..."

(Munched in the flickr-to-ipernity crossing, and so re-posted out of sequence. :o ) "In these Intermediates are to be found some of the most pleasing varieties of the entire Narcissus family. The trumpets are shorter than in the preceding class, being mere cups in many cases, and the flowers are not so heavy... they will bring the owner much pleasure."

"...The true Poet's Narcissus ["Horace" and "Thelma"] are natives of southern Europe where, from France to Greece, they thrive in moist situations in a little shade. They may be recognized by their snow-white petals, yellow or lemon flat eye or crown, and the fact that the blooms are usually solitary..." "...At least a score of Double Narcissus are in commerce, most of which are used by the florists for forcing; few are seen in gardens..."