

HOW TO GROW 
SEEDS 
When sown outdoors, most seeds should 
be scattered over well pulverized ground, 
then covered lightly with a layer of finely 
pulverized soil or sand. Large seeds 
should be covered about twice their thick- 
ness, Keep ground moist during germina- 
tion and while plants are small. Thin if 
plants are too thick. 
If seeds are started in boxes or flats, be 
sure that the bottom of the flat provides 
good drainage. The soil should be made 
up of equal portions of leaf-mold (or peat), 
- sand, and good garden loam. This should 
be screened to remove any hard lumps, 
stones or other coarse material. Wet the 
soil, preferably with boiling water, the 
day before planting. When the soil has 
dried out sufficiently to permit planting 
loosen the top slightly and plant seeds, 
not too close together. Barely cover with 
light soil, then firm the ground with a 
smooth board. Cover the top of the flat 
with a newspaper or cheesecloth. If the 
ground is moist at time of planting it will 
not be necessary to water at planting 
time. Too much water is apt to cause 
damping off. The soil should be kept 
“moist,” not “wet.” When the seeds begin 
to come up, gradually lift the paper or 
cheesecloth to permit air and light. 
DAMPING OFF will occur only if flats are 
kept too wet or in a greenhouse without 
proper ventilation. Watering with a weak 
solution of clorox, about. 5 to 6 per cent, 
we have found to be the best cure and 
preventive. 
The plants should be transferred to other 
boxes when they begin to show the sec- 
ond pair of leaves. Prepare the soil as 
when seeds are just planted, but add a 
little well decayed manure to stimulate 
the growth. Transplant to open ground 
when the young plants are two to four 
inches high depending on the natural 
growth of the various plants. 
When seeds are sown directly in the 
ground in dry climate, it will be necessary 
to use a very light covering of peat moss 
or other good mulch to hold the moisture 
—otherwise the small plants will perish 
for lack of top moisture. 

DAHLIA SEED 
Annual-Perennials 
DAHLIA SEED AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER 
It costs no more to grow plants from the best seed than the poorest. We have 
grown dahlia seed for over twenty years and it has been our ambition ta 
offer our customers the very best seed that can be produced. 
Each year we test the seed from new named varieties and also seedlings of 
our own. Those that prove to be good seed parents and produce good off- 
spring are planted in our home garden where all of our seed is produced. 
Our mild fall has been most favorable for ripening of seed and enables us 
to again offer seed of the highest quality. The seed we offer this year is as 
fine as can be had at any price. 
Many dahlias that are now in commerce have been produced by our cus- 
tomers from seed purchased from us. 
A packet of our Selected Dahlia seed costs $2.50 and will produce from 60 
to 75 plants that will grow into full size bushes and give abundance of blooms 
the first year. No two of these will be alike and there is always the chance 
of producing a new variety that is outstanding enough to be named, regis- 
tered and sold commercially. Each plant will produce a clump of tubers that 
can be divided and planted the following season. 
Dahlia seed of all types is best started in flats. February is good planting 
time in California, March or April where frosts last longer. Some of the seeds 
will sprout in a week or ten days, others take five or six weeks. Six weeks 
will be required to grow the plants big enough to set out—atfter all danger 
from frost is over. 
Dahlia seed is not sold in smaller quantities than indicated. 
SELECTED DAHLIA SEED 
Large Flowering 
Gathered from the finest varieties and the 
best known seed parents. 
SO:SCCdS Seo tne eels as Pkt. $1.50 
100 seeds 3 ssc. ee os ce Pkt. $2.50 
CHOICE DAHLIA SEED 
Large Flowering 
Gathered late from good seed parents. 
These will give a large percentage of fully 
double blooms. 
100 seeds 3.05. Senn os oe Pkt. $1.50 

DWARF BEDDING TYPE 
SALBACH RE-SELECTIONS. One of the 
most outstanding of all recent seed offer- 
FROM SPECIAL XXXX DAHLIA SEED 
Special XXXX Mixture. Selected from the 
ings, being ideal for bedding, fine for cut- 
ting, and having a long blooming period. 
Unusually effective in the garden, as is evi- 
denced by the colorful display at Treasure 
Island in both 1939 and 1940. Single and 
semi-double flowers on plants 12 to 20 inches 
high. Good keepers, invaluable in small 
bouquets, and striking in the garden. Espe- 
cially desirable for massing. Can be planted 
a foot apart. Seed germinates easily. Plants 
bloom the first year from seed, and produce 
tubers that can be planted the next season. 
100 (or more) seeds to packet. 
finest and most floriferous plants. 
100. Seeds 3. cu Sie Pkt. 50c 
Choice Selection 
100 seeds as wand kee eee Pkt. 25c 
MINIATURE DAHLIA SEED 
Miniature dahlias are from 2% to 3% inches 
in diameter and are cactus, semi-cactus and 
decorative in form. They are very popular 
as cut flowers for home and for florists. We 
have a very fine strain of seeds. 
100:'seeds &. Re eee Pkt. 50c 

THE NEWSOM DAHLIA MANUAL 
(Revised Edition) 
Complete year-around directions for the care of dahlias. Practical instruction 
on preparing, planting, fertilizing and storing dahlias. Price 50 cents. 

+20 
*CARL SALBACH- 
