The Calico Flower.— One of the most eas¬ 
ily-grown and charming of pot vines is Aristol- 
ochia Elegans, a flower of which is represented 
in the engraving. It 
starts readily from 
seeds, has graceful 
stems and foliage, 
and begins to bloom 
the first season, the 
peculiar and attrac¬ 
tive flowers three 
inches across being 
white, red, yellow, 
purple, and brown 
so distinctly con¬ 
trasted as to merit 
the common name 
of Calico Flower. It 
thrives in a compost 
of rich loam, sand 
and well-rotted sta¬ 
ble litter thoroughly mixed, good drainage be¬ 
ing provided. Water freely while growing and 
shift into larger pots as the plants grow. Pro¬ 
vide a trellis as soon as the plants show a dis¬ 
position to run. This is one of the beautiful 
tropical vines that can be grown in the window 
in winter and set out in summer. 15 seeds 5c. 
Columbine. —For a shady place the various 
species of Columbine are well suited, and a 
mixture of the seeds will produce many kinds, 
all of which are handsome. The seeds germi¬ 
nate in from one to three months, so do not 
neglect the bed until the plants appear. They 
thrive in a rich, well-drained soil, and bloom 
mostly in the Spring, the flowers being very 
graceful and showy, and of the various colors, 
blue, white, shades of red and yellow, and some, 
strikingly variegated. See page 37. 
Delphinium. --Perennial Larkspur, Del¬ 
phinium, is one of our best perennials, coming 
in long trusses, and if 
these are freely cut to 
prevent seed formation 
the blooming period will 
be prolonged through¬ 
out the season. The seeds 
do not germinate very 
promptly unless sown 
soon after they ripen, 
and I supply them fresh 
in Autumn, to be sown 
at once. The same seeds, 
however, germinate fairly well the next season 
but require from one to three months to start, 
and many persons neglect the seed-bed before 
giving the seeds sufficient time to start. My 
seeds are always of the latest crop and will al¬ 
ways produce plants under favorable condi¬ 
tions. See page 39. 
To Turn Hydrangeas Blue. --Water with 
alum water, a spoonful of alum to a gallon of 
water. Continue thispracticeuntil blue appears. 
Starting Seeds in Boxes. Cet boxes 18 in. 
long, 12 in. broad and 4 in. deep. Fill in an inch 
of well rot ted stable litter, then two in. of sandy 
woods earth or fertile loam,the surface sifted and 
pressed. Press rows, sow, and cover with fine sand. 
This will ensure fine stocky plants and thrifty growth. 
57 v l 
3 
Anemone and Water Lilies.— Dear Mr. Park: I 
planted Anemone seeds bought of you last year and got 
45 plants. They are blooming now and are beautiful. 
All of the Pink and Blue Water Lilies are up, seeds of 
which came from you in February. Mrs. Win. Klocke, 
R. 8 Box486A, King Co., Wash., May 8, 1933. 
Note. —Anemone seeds are sown as other 
seeds, covering them barely a sixteenth inch 
deep. The water lily (Nymphaea) seeds should 
be sown in pots of good earth and covered a 
sixteenth inch with sand, and the pot then sunk 
in a tub or pond of water, the pot sunk two or 
three inches under the water. The water wall 
be warmer and germination promoted by full 
sunshine. Nelumbium or Egyptian Lotus seeds 
are hastened in germination by having the shell 
filed enough to admit the water. The seeds are 
as large as a filbert and should be covered a 
half-inch deep. See page 59. 
Stock, Bismarck Giants.— Mr. Wm. Mac¬ 
donald of California is getting a lot of fame for 
his Bismarck Ten 
Weeks Stocks by 
exhibiting in Eng¬ 
land and securing 
awards and com¬ 
mendations from 
the Royal Horti¬ 
cultural Society. 
These indicate the 
great value of his 
strain and the high 
quality of his seeds. 
The plants grow 2| 
feet high, and every 
branch is tipped 
with a huge spike 
of big double fra¬ 
grant flowers. The 
seedlings start read¬ 
ily and quickly 
come into bloom, 
showing a wonder¬ 
ful range of colors 
from white to scar¬ 
let, from lilac to 
rich blue, and from 
canary to goiden 
rose. Perhaps there is not another strain known 
that quite equals Macdonald’s Giant Imperial 
Bismarck Stocks. They are glorious in beds 
and excellent for cutting. You cannot err in 
getting seeds of this grand strain of Ten Weeks 
Stock. It is simply incomparable. Exquisite 
mixture direct from Macdonald, all colors, 60s. 
5c. Don’t omit it. See engraving, also page 31. 
Damping Off. —I speak of this trouble in 
my “Hints” sentwith the seeds, but some who 
buy seeds do not read the “Hints” and when 
the plants appear they are lost by “damping 
off.” This is caused by a microscopic fungus 
that covers the soil. It can be controlled by 
frequently stirring the soil. An application of 
unburned coal-dust or of a mixture of lime and 
sulphur, equal parts, is a remedy. Be prompt, 
or the fungus will destroy your plants. 
Closing Remarks, it is always a pleasure 
to an wer enquiries, but I regret the answers are 
not always prompt on account of pressure upon 
my time. In such cases I ask your indulgence. 
With best wishes, GEO. W. PARK 
