ACID AND ALKALINE SOILS 
Most plants thrive in neutral, mildly acid or mildly alkaline soils equally well as 
they have a wide range of adaptability. But a few require alkaline soils and some will 
thrive only in distinctly acid soils. In the latter class are included Rhododendrons, 
Callas and most shade loving plants. 
The acid-alkali balance is expressed in pH units. pH 7 is neutral. Below that the 
acidity increases, above it the alkalinity increases. 
Soiltex Outfit. This little testing kit will enable you to determine the pH of your 
soil. No chemical knowledge is required. Directions for use are included with lists 
of plants and their preferred pH. Price $1.00 postpaid. 
If soils are too alkaline or if plants to be grown in them require more acidity the 
best remedy is to incorporate much humus. Peat is most acid usually, though some 
American peat has become alkaline. Oak leaf mould is more acid than other leaf 
moulds. Use much leaf mould or peat (preferably imported) for Gladiolus, Callas, 
Arums, Lilies, Haemanthus, Nerines, Orchids and all plants that require acid soil. It is 
best to buy peat locally on account of the high cost of transportation. But be sure it is 
imported Canadian peat with acid reaction. It should be pH 2.5 to 4. Test the peat 
offered you with Soiltex and don’t buy poultry peat. 
Canadian Peat. The most acid now obtainable. We can furnish this to local or 
nearby customers who call for it at $5.50 per bale. 10 lbs. for $1.00. Or we will ship 
by express, f.o0.b. for that price. Ask your express agent the cost before ordering as 
these bales weighed when we received them over 100 lbs. If you want 10 lbs. by 
mail, ask your Postmaster how much postage to send for a package weighing 12 lbs. 
Rootone. We know of really remarkable results from the use of Rootone, a plant 
hormone powder that induces quicker rooting of cuttings and bulbs and sprouting of 
seed. As a result of its action, bulbs make a more vigorous root system quickly and 
thus the flowers are earlier and larger; the foliage stronger and when dormant the bulbs 
will be found to be larger and with greater increase in number. Coat the base of each 
bulb, or living roots if any, lightly with Rootone. Dip the end of cuttings into the 
powder. Tumble the seeds in a jar or in the seed envelope with the powder. When 
the seeds are coated, roll them out and save remaining powder. Treat your victory 
garden seed. Rootone will treat from 60 to 300 times its weight of seed and thousands 
of times its weight of bulbs. 
We especially advise its use with spring planted Amaryllis bulbs as at this time 
the roots are likely to be absent or mostly dried up. 
Price. One-half ounce is a good supply. Mailed, postpaid for 50c. Use directions 
above. We can supply in | Ib. cans (for extensive plantings) at $5.00, postage 15c extra. 
Vitamin B-1 is a useful stimulant for plants, we believe. We have soaked the 
roots of Amaryllis in flower in the solution, when transplanting and the flower was 
uninjured, lasted for days and seeds were ripened. We have used it successfully with - 
other plants in transplanting. Price. Bottle of 100 tablets, 75c. 
Directions for use, applying only to our own tablets. In transplanting bulbs or any 
plants, loose roots, dissolve 5 tablets in 1 gal. water. Soak roots in this 15 to 30 min. 
Pour solution around plant when set. 
To stimulate growing plants, for the first application dissolve 1 tab. in 2 gal. water. 
For succeeding waterings, use | tab. to 4 gal. of water once a week. 
Warning. Do not soak dormant bulbs in vit. B-1. It rots them. 
Information Please. I am always seeking for more and recommend that you do the 
same. That is why I belong to The American Amaryllis Society, (see under Amarylli- 
daceae) and The American Horticultural Society. The latter society publishes the 
National Horticultural Magazine, four large copies on heavy book paper, per year, which 
members receive. The topics covered are the entire field, not merely bulbs. The annual 
dues are $3.00 per year which you may send to me if you wish.. 
Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture. This 3-vol. set of over 3,600 large pages 
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