PROFIT IN MUMS 
Like most greenhouse crops, the margin in 
Mums is close today and if not well and eco¬ 
nomically grown, it disappears entirely,— 
might even become a substantial loss. Among 
causes for this, unsuitable varieties fre¬ 
quently play a more important part than 
some realize. The grower must, thru try¬ 
ing them, find out which are best suited to 
his demand and conditions. The variety sug¬ 
gestions for various purposes found with our 
list is carefully considered by us. Only such as 
seem to give quite general satisfaction are so 
indicated. Novelties, of course, cannot be included for obvious reason; but 
only such as are a distinct advance with the originator are offered. 
We, therefore, feel justified in recommending them. We do occasinnally 
get a new one that doesnT click except under the originator’s conditions or 
method of handling, but that is the inevitable price of progress. On the 
other hand, many new ones are discarded without a fair trial, to be taken 
up later with excellent results. Most veteran Mum growers have taken up 
and discarded the variety Bonnaffon many times the past 40 years. It was 
barely recognized when introduced; yet it has probably been the most profit¬ 
able American Chrysanthemum. The question is frequently asked, “Do 
varieties or does stock play out?” We do not believe it does. However, a 
grower’s stock can and frequently does become so weakened thru disease or 
insects or thru the continual use of indoor grown stock plants that a change 
of stock should be made. To grow them in a hot greenhouse all summer 
where the effect of sun and air cannot be felt is certain to weaken the stock 
plants. But the effect is not basic or lasting. If such stock is grown out 
in the open a season or two, it will recover its original vigor. But this costs 
time. Needless to say, this is an age of specializing. Many retail growers 
find it definitely more profitable to buy such specialties as certain pot plants, 
roses, etc., not only because the overhead on small lots is greater than that 
of the specialists, but the specialist does it better—generally, much better. 
The many costs connected with producing Mum cuttings is becoming more 
generally appreciated, not only direct costs such as insecticides, space oc¬ 
cupied by stock plants, value of time propagating when you are very busy 
in Spring, but in indirect costs as well. They include such as not having 
what you want when you want it, using varieties on hand instead of being 
able to select exactly what jmu want and cost of cuttings lost in the sand. 
And,—midge. Few experienced growers are free of it, and very few appre¬ 
ciate the cost of fighting it. Whether your requirements are 10 or 100,000, 
let us hear from you. 
THAT COVER PLATE 
is a natural color shot made at 
our place Oct. 12th from our 
shaded stock. White Mum 
is an A No. 1 variety—Mar¬ 
keteer—2 flowers to a plant. 
Same with the Yellow and 
Bronze which are Golden 
Pearson and Mrs. David F. 
Roy. Light Bronze single is 
Mason’s Bronze. Dark Bronze 
in vase Buckingham Bronze. 
