Alout The 
Lyondel Hybrid Delphiniums 
As most of you know all of the worthwhile strains of 
Delphinium have gone into the making of Lyondel Hybrids. 
Beginning back in 1927 with some seedlings from Mr. Vander- 
bilt, which, with the best he could raise from some English 
seeds, constituted his first stock, Mr. Leonian began to work 
with flower development as a hobby. As he heard of other 
things through the literature or advertisements he tried them. 
All through the years he followed that policy and thereby 
arrived at the Lyondel Strain as you knew it in 1944. 
A few years back Leon and I discussed the advisibility of 
my learning the process of cross pollenization as a help to him 
and a means of livelihood should anything happen to him 
while the three boys were too small for me to take a position 
outside my home. For many years I have helned him in the 
garden and have assumed more and more responsibility for 
details which would save his time. 1] had not, however, had 
responsibility for the breeding program except when he would 
be away from home, but I was able to do it when need arose. 
Then, when Leon’s first real illness came I worked with him 
sometimes, and sometimes under his direction alone. Though, 
at first, he seemed a little surprised that my efforts really 
produced seed, he seemed happy that I could go along with 
his flower work. In the meantime, Armen was ready for col- 
lege and had decided to become a flower breeder. He and his 
father planned a course of study in Agricultural Science which 
would help with his work and the program started off hap- 
pily. So here we are working together to carry on until such 
time as Armen is fitted by traiming and experience to take 
over, 
T tell vou this little story so vou will see that we are not 
exactly new at the business; neither do I want to leave a false 
impression as to what you may expect. We feel that you who 
need seeds this year will try ours because we have the sanie 
high ideals in parent selection, the same ‘‘survival-of-the- 
fittest’? program, the same element of surprise to look for, 
the same plan for producing tomorrow’s delphiniums today, 
All we ask thru this pamphlet is that you try ours this year; 
compare them with others you know; then continue to get 
Lyondels so long as they keep the place in your garden they 
earned through my husban@’s years of work for their develop- 
ment. 
How la Grow Delnhiniums 
‘<The first thing to do is to find out in which zone of delph- 
iniums you are located. There are four of these: the annual, 
the biennial, the short-lived perennial, and the true perennial. 
In Florida and certain parts of the South delphiniums are 
strictly annuals, dying off after the first display of bloom. In 
certain other parts of the South they behave as biennials; in 
most parts of Midwest they are biennial or short-lived peren- 
nials, while in North they are true perennials. Once you de- 
termine your zone, you will know what to expect and spare 
yourself all kinds of disillusionment. Having determined this, 
there remains another important factor: are you located in 
the fall-sowing or spring-sowing zone? Where seasons are 
short and July and August are likely to be warm and dry, 
fall-sowing may be disastrous, and spring should be the time 
to sow the seeds. Therefore vou should purchase your secds 
in the fall, put them in tightly stoppered vials, and keep them 
