5 
Helpful Hints on 
Growing Delphiniums 
In choosing a site for your border, 
select one with a southern aspect, shel¬ 
tered from the north by wall, hedge fence, 
or shrubbery. Don’t plant them in low- 
lying, damp ground. Delphiniums like 
well-drained, clayey soil, deeply dug, 
and heavily fertilized with rotten manure. 
Prepare the soil several weeks before 
planting. Leave it in the rough after spad¬ 
ing in the manure to give it time to settle 
and permit the manure to mix with it thor¬ 
oughly. Spade second time before planting. 
Choose a clear, dry day for the work. 
Unpack the plants immediately on arrival. 
Keep them away from cellar or boiler heat. 
Plant temporarily or cover with mats out¬ 
side until ready to plant. 
Plant at least 3 feet away from other 
plants in the border, preferably in the back 
row. Make holes wide enough to accommo¬ 
date the roots spread out. Hold crown of 
plant level with surface of bed, spread out 
roots, pack earth between and over them. 
Place a stout 5-foot stake in hole to tie and 
protect the growing shoots later. 
Plant in the spring as early as possible— 
when soil is in a workable, friable form. 
Plant in the fall from September 15 to No¬ 
vember 15. Either season is good if proper 
attention is given to planting details. 
Apply any good artificial fertilizer at inter¬ 
vals of a few weeks in summer. Water regular¬ 
ly and often. Cut away old (first) flower- 
spikes after blooming to induce a second crop. 
Spray regularly with Black-L.eaf 40 (1 tea¬ 
spoonful to 1 gallon of soap-water) to prevent 
or check attacks of black-spot and insects. 
Although these hybrids comprise many new types of delicate colors, all are 
extremely hardy, and well-established clumps in the border provide, year after 
year, wonderful spikes of majestic size and great beauty. They are also very desir¬ 
able for cutting for indoor decoration, lending a delightful tone to mixed flower 
arrangements, harmonizing extremely well with yellow and orange flowers, par¬ 
ticularly the deeper blue, violet, and purple shades. 
Prevent Delphinium Blight 
The following mixture is very effective: One teaspoonful of Black-Leaf 40 and one table¬ 
spoonful of Bordeaux mixture to one gallon of soap-water (any kind of soap-water will do 
—its action is only a spreader). Spray 
frequently and thoroughly. 
Duc\ham's Inimitable Mixed 
DELPHINIUM SEED 
SAVED ONLY FROM CHOICEST VARIETIES 
Cultural directions enclosed with each 
order. Pkt. $2.00. 
Durham's Unnamed 
MIXED DELPHINIUMS 
Regular Grade: This covers the entire 
color-range from mauve and lavender 
to deep blue and violet. $11 per doz.; 
$85 per 100. 
WILLIAM C. DUCKHAM, MADISON, N. J. 
