SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST 
Hoodacres Delphiniums and Climale 
The Oregon climate seems to have been made for plant 
breeding. Not only is it favorable for the development of new 
forms and colors, but it also imparts to them a ruggedness that 
stands the strain of much more rigorous sections, as in the 
following representative case: 
A man who undoubtedly is the largest amateur Delphinium 
grower in the world contends with one of the harshest climates 
—northeastern Maine. Dr. Sinkhovitch of Columbia University 
has obtained Delphiniums from all the prominent strains of 
both Europe and America. The winter of 1934-5 was unusually 
severe, plants buried in ice for a long period, killing off entire 
perennial gardens; his own plantings also greatly suffered. 
Reporting the "tragedies" and referring to his extensive col¬ 
lection he states: "Many of them are planted in the same fields 
under the same conditions, and which do you think suffered 
relatively the least? They are the Hoodacres of Charles F. 
Barber. I came here early, the first of May, and could tell off¬ 
hand, without looking at labels, which were Hoodacres." 
AUSTRALIAN PLANT AUTHORITY REPORTS 
"I was very pleased to receive yours of September 3d with Delphinium 
seeds enclosed, which you will be interested to know have germinated 
well. I must congratulate you on your care in packing your seeds. It is 
probably partly due to this method of packing that the germination is 
100% after the long sea voyage. 
Re Aquilegias: I gave a lecture on these flowers at the last meeting of 
the Horticultural Society and you may like to know that I took a large 
bunch of Hoodacres Strain, which proved a revelation to the Society for 
the beautiful new colors.''—Public Gardens Kyneton, Victoria, Australia, 
(11-7-35.) 
HOODACRES SHIPS SAFELY —COAST TO COAST 
Calais, Maine: "Received the Seedlings, and they are fine. Let me con¬ 
gratulate you on the condition of them, coming as they did from one coast 
to the other.'' 
From Emily Post, Edgartown, Mass.: "The plants were too wonderful — 
I have never seen such splendid clumps. I am sure they will 'behave' 
beautifully and be a credit to us both.'' 
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