else but blue. But once in a while a marvelous seedling appears; pure blue, 
double, sparkling, burning shades of deepest blue or the soft, cool tones of sky 
blue. For this reason only it is worth while to take a sporting chance. But 
remember: you may not obtain one good blue. 
No. 8. Aster Sepalloid Series 
Both pollen and seed parents in this group are characterized by very 
narrow, long, often frilled sepals and the individual flowers look very much 
like asters. Another characteristic of this entire group is the wiry, tough na¬ 
ture of the spikes. The color and the size of the flowers is up to Lyondel 
standards. A very distinctive group of delphiniums. 
No. 9. Black Progressions 
Here are included the darkest, most brilliant shades. The flowers are 
often small, the spikes not very long, but what colors! The seed supply is 
going to be very limited. 
No. 10. Connoisseurs’ Series 
You may expect almost anything from this series. It is entirely experi¬ 
mental because the crosses are made only between plants which are bloom¬ 
ing for the first time. You might call this the Year-Ahead-Series because 
next year’s pollen and seed parents will be selected largely from this. There 
will be more delightful surprises here and similiarly more ordinary things 
than in any other group. Ever since it was introduced, this group has been 
the second most popular assortment of all my crosses. 
In ordering seeds from the Connoisseurs’ Series, please do not rush me. 
The seeds will be ready late in the season and cannot be planted outdoors. 
While some of the seed will be ready in September, those who will be willing 
to wait until October will have a much more representative mixture of seeds. 
This series is offered in mixtures only. 
No. 11. Longer Lived Series 
The seed and pollen parents of this series have been growing under the 
adverse conditions of Morgantown, W. Va. for the last four and five years, 
becoming bigger and more vigorous with each passing year, while other 
delphiniums have perished in alarming numbers after one or two years. I do 
not know if this is merely an accident or the result of some perennial, resistant 
tendency. I do not wish to give false hopes to anyone but am merely stating 
facts. Furthermore, while some of the parents are large flowering, long 
spiked, showy things, others, and the more promising ones, are relatively 
modest plants. By crossing these together I have endeavored to combine 
beauty and resistance. If my less fortunately located customers wish to take 
a sporting chance, I recommend this group to them. 
No. 12. Wiry Stemmed Series 
This is a new and a highly experimental series. Do not look for exhibition 
type delphiniums with three feet of flower-spikes and three inch flowers. How¬ 
ever, here is the beginning of a strain that has a future. Both the seed and 
pollen parents have very slender, very flexible, whip-like stems that can be 
vigorously shaken by the hand without breaking, and will sway in wind or 
rain undamaged. The flowers are all semi double, from small to medium in 
size, and possessing unusual brilliance. 
MY ASSORTED CROSSES ARE USUALLY SOLD OUT BY THE TIME 
THE SEEDS HAVE BEEN HARVESTED. 
SMALL SEEDLINGS 
I will have small seedlings available in the spring. These seedlings come 
from seeds sown outdoors in August. They do not become large and sturdy 
plants by the following spring. A baby can lift a dozen such seedlings with 
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