Cultural Suggestions 
This section is much larger and more complete than any formerly pub¬ 
lished by us. Our Annual of 1933 contained much information along these 
lines but much development of improved practices has taken place since 
that time so we herewith give as much current information as space will 
permit. We trust that it will prove of interest and value. 
In offering this data, it is submitted in an effort to help those who are not 
obtaining satisfactory results. If you have developed a routine of growing 
that is adapted to your particular conditions, d 9 not abandon them in favor 
of untried methods. Having grown Pansies in several widely separated 
parts of the United States we can personally vouch for the fact that it is 
impossible to obtain best results by the same methods everywhere. Culture, 
like fertilization, must be modified and adjusted to meet your local require¬ 
ments, and any rules which we set forth here must be considered as sug¬ 
gestions. 
We offer here the suggestions which will be found most nearly universal 
in application. As they will not meet all conditions, however, we suggest 
that if difficulty is experienced in any phase of Pansy culture, you write us 
giving full information on all points which might affect your conditions. 
We will be glad to draw on our 34 year experience with Pansies in an effort 
to be of help to you. It is not necessary that you be a grower of our strains, 
or a customer. We can best serve ourselves by serving you well, and all we 
desire is a chance to do so. 
STRAIN QUALITY 
In selecting the variety or strain to be grown, full consideration should 
be given both to the strain itself and its origin. Select the variety or strain 
from its merits and adaptability to your requirements. Generally speaking 
modern high class strains are priced in the brackets above $6.00 per ounce. 
In some markets, however, lower priced seeds are suitable. Seed costs com¬ 
pared with value of the plants when selling is so low that it is unwise 
economy to buy seeds merely because they are cheap. It is because of this 
situation that we take so much care in submitting comparative data on the 
large line of stock we do. It has been our endeavor to supply a reliable 
service that would meet your every requirement of quality and price. 
Every reputable dealer endeavors to supply you with good value, and as 
nearly as their experience permits with seeds that should give reasonable 
results. It is the effort of, I believe, all American Specialist growers to breed 
and grow into their seeds the ultimate in quality. Some of us, due to long 
experience, and fortunate location and growing conditions may supply 
better quality than obtainable elsewhere. Regardless, however, of the care 
taken by the seed specialist, culture of the proper sort in the hands of the 
plant grower is necessary if the best of results are to be obtained. This is 
a co-operative proposition. We endeavor to do our part, and will gladly 
offer any growing helps that will make the growers operations more certain. 
TIME TO SEED 
The finest Pansy plants are grown in ground beds rather than in benches 
or fiats. For this reason we recommend that unless special conditions dictate 
beds or cold frames be used. Some Realities, however, find it advisable to 
make January sowings indoors at which time seeding in flats is resorted to 
and transplanting is done in early spring outdoors in frames. This will 
give good Memorial Day stock. In some California markets transplanting 
is done in flats as the market demands stock this way. We do not believe, 
however, that the quality of the stock is improved when grown past the 
seedling stage in flats. 
In California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, as well as most southern 
states, many growers plant Pansies in June and July—growing them as a 
winter flowering subject. In nearly all localities, planting may be done 
during July, August, and September or even as late as October outdoors. 
Where plants are dormant in winter early planting and transplanting is 
advised. Later spring stock may be planted in September and October in 
glass frames and transplanted in the spring, or nearly the same results is 
obtained by planting indoors in January and February. Pansies have a long 
sales season nearly everywhere. Much longer than most florists have de¬ 
veloped. For this reason it is an advantage to make several plantings which 
will assure plants of prime sale quality over a longer time. 
AMOUNT OF SEED REQUIRED 
With the varieties of the HARROLD’S PEDIGREED STRAIN LINE it is 
quite safe to figure on a basis of 7000 plants per ounce under proper con¬ 
ditions. We have the past few years averaged better than 9000 plants per 
ounce in our commercial plantings, and quite often lots running in excess 
of 10,000 plants per ounce are encountered. Varieties offered in the general 
list on page 12 had best be figured at the rate of one ounce for 6000 plants, 
although most of them should produce more when conditions are favorable. 
Average plant production from any quantity sown in hot weather, (June, 
July and August) will be generally 20 to 30% below the production ob¬ 
tained from the same seed planted after the excessive summer heat is pasts 
As repeated tests have proven the fact that this is the case, and that germina¬ 
tion may be affected in direct ratio to heat and humidity the greatest care 
should be taken on early plantings. Where possible early plantings may be 
made in a shaded location or protected by shading frames with beneficial 
results. 
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