ticular preference as to types or colors (or dislikes either) please state 
and I will try to give you as many as I can of the types and colors you 
wish (some people have aversions to certain colors and types). Each 
plant will be correctly labelled (some job too). 
PACKING 
The manner in which plants are packed has a great deal to do with 
the condition in which they reach the customer, but unfortunately the 
average amateur grower does not realize this or does not have the fa- 
cilities for proper packaging his plants. I don’t know where the trouble 
lies, but I have bought many packages from flower-minded friends all 
over the United States and have come to the above conclusion from sad 
experience. No matter how honest the shipper or how scarce the va- 
riety, if I lost half or more of the lot it was an ‘‘expensive” package of 
plants for me. Consequently, I make a great effort to pack my plants 
so they will reach the customer in excellent condition, and mail them so 
they will not arrive at destination on a Saturday afternoon, Sunday or 
holiday. I have received many voluntary letters of commendation on 
the manner in which I pack my plants. If after receiving a package of 
my plants you have any suggestions to offer do not hesitate to write 
me, as I will be ‘“‘all ears” when it comes to anything that may improve 
the chances of my plants arriving in better condition. Packing was 
a problem last year, and as I am still holding down my job at Maxwell 
Field (just outside the city) I imagine it will be as bad this year—so 
be as patient as you reasonably can. 
INSECT ENEMIES 
Until the last few years the mum was not bothered with serious 
insect pests—that is outside grown mums were not, but recently the 
Thrip that played such havoc with the Gladiolus has moved on to the 
mums. If about blooming time your choice blossoms start to open, then 
the petals stop unfolding and the plant looks as though it was starved 
for water and food, you probably have an infestation of Thrip. If you 
will examine such'a bloom and find down inside near the base of the 
petals brownish stains you will know Thrips are present. Lastly, if you 
will slowly move the petals aside you will probably be able to see one 
or more Thrip. They are about the size of 100 silk thread, about one six- 
teenth of an inch long, brownish in color—except the young, which are 
a yellowish shade, and they quickly disappear between the bases of 
the petals or fly away. They are so small you will think they jump, 
but actually they fly. However, since it appears they have jumped 
away, they have earned the name of “Flips” in some greenhouses. Ac- 
tually, it does look like they ‘‘flip” away instead of flying. The stains 
near the bases of the petals are their feeding marks—Where they have 
punctured the petal and sucked the juice, which caused the petal to 
stop growing and gave it the starved look above referred to. They are 
not nearly so destructive on single varieties, as they do not have as good 
a place to hide as deep down among the petals of the large-flowering 
varieties. The following spray schedule will control them. Sweeten a 
gallon of water with brown sugar, syrup, honey, or what have you, 
until it is sweet to the taste. Then add one teaspoon of Tartar of Emetic 
and mix well. Apply with a quart-size mosquito sprayer, applying the 
spray to the upper half of the plant, including the buds. Start this spray- 
ing in mid-summer and spray about every 10 days until the buds show 
color—even then by being careful you can spray the rest of the plant 
below the bloom one more time. It is not necessary to drench the 
plant, just.“‘fog” the plant so the spray will be left in microscopic drops. 
Spray in the morning or late afternoon—never in middle of the day. If 
you have reason to believe you are not obtaining perfect control you 
may increase the Tartar of Emetic to two spoonfuls, but watch for any 
tendency to burn, and if this is apparent go back to the one teaspoonful 
and spray oftener. Experience will show you how much spray to mix 
4) 
