I N C. 
‘‘FLOWER SEEDS FOR FLORISTS” 
Non-Branching STOCKS 
One of Our Leading Specialties 
We originally demonstrated the attractive 
value of this class for cutting. We have since 
devoted annually extensive greenhouse space 
to their improvement. Today three-quarters 
of our glass area is devoted to their im¬ 
provement and seed production. In addition 
much must be grown for us in California 
and Europe. These field crops are inspected 
by us carefully and are produced by our 
stock seed, yet it occasionally has happened 
that strains got thru that were not up to 
our standard. We do all that is humanly 
possible to avoid this, for we are in position 
to know the value of greenhouse space. We 
should state also that the Non-Branching class 
does not average up quite so high in propor¬ 
tion of doubles as will the branching Bis- 
marcks. The average is around 60%, while 
the branching will run around 65%. Also, our 
strains are non-branching to the extent of at 
least 99%, not counting a few minor lateral 
growths. None of our strains are semi- 
non-branching—producing 2-3 strong side 
branches such as are occasionally offered in 
this class. We find that the non-branching 
strains should be used exclusively by growers 
for highly competitive markets. Their greater 
size and stem make them supremely fine when 
well grown. 
A house of our New Ball White Imp. No. 15, taken last spring. The finest White Available. 
CULTURE. While Stocks are at their best when 
flowered during the long bright days of Spring, they are 
extensively flowered from Xmas on thru the winter. We 
find them safely sown early as July 1, If this sowing 
is grown on a raised bed and a 46-48 deg. house, they 
will flower for Xmas. Should an unusually dark season 
bring them in late, they will usually be found equally valuable in Jan. With us it is important to keep Stocks 
that are to be flowered before March out of ground beds, because in deep soil they produce soft growth that tends 
to wilt when cut. The stronger sun of late March and April counteracts this softening effect, making the ground 
bed crop safe. An Aug. 1 sowing flowers sometime in Jan., depending on temperatures. For Valentine’s Day sow 
Sept. 1. With the more rapid growing conditions of spring not so much time is needed. To flower them April 1 
sow Nov. 1, and a Mother’s Day crop can generally be made by sowing Jan. 1. Of course, much depends on 
temperature and weather. Also we find that if carried quite cold, around 40 deg. nights, buds are encouraged to 
set on shorter stems than in a 50 deg. house. 
Usually the most destructive disease of Stocks is a formof black stem rot that works thru the stem, gradually shut¬ 
ting off life to the plant. We keep practically 100% clean of this by soaking our soil with 200 deg. water. Another 
practical point is increasing the proportion of doubles. We find that the one effective way to do this is to remove 
weakest plants when at a height of 4-6 in. The leaves of such removed plants will generally be found narrower and 
smooth edged. Some experimenting and study of these characters will soon develop efficiency in recognizing them. 
We frequently note growers carrying young stock along in small pots. This method is not only more costly in labor, 
but the plants are easily hardened thru getting 
too dry or pot bound. During the cool months 
we sow a month before flowering beds are 
ready for the seedlings; 5 or even 6 weeks will 
be all right in midwinter if the seedlings are 
carried quite cold after they are up. A 60 
deg. house is best for germination. During 
summer when growth is rapid, we do not figure 
on more than 2 weeks from sowing to trans¬ 
planting to flowering beds. Stocks enjoy well 
enriched soil. When up 6-8 in. and in vigorous 
growth, we top dress lightly with a balanced 
fertilizer such as 6-8-6, and again after buds 
are well set. 
In our latitude the last safe sowing is made Feb. 15. This 
flowers between May 15 and June 1, a period when the heaviest 
crops are usually off. If sown March 1, a varying percentage 
will come blind, producing a mass of foliage with few or no 
flowers. 
Well grown Non-Branching Stocks are a sales attraction. 
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