PREFACE 
1947 
TO MY MANY FLOWER-MINDED FRIENDS AND 
CUSTOMERS.—The past two years have amply demon- 
strated what I had been thinking for some time—that most 
of my customer-friends were sufficiently familiar with 
most mum varieties not to require a descriptive catalogue. 
Consequently, this year I will only publish my variety list, 
with an occasional word or two in the case of new or not 
well-known varieties. I am sure that just as in the past 
two years all my surplus plants will go early in the season 
and I will have the rest of the season to work with my own 
mums in my own garden to my heart’s content. 
Blooming dates are very much desired by most people 
who grow mums outside (as most of my customer-friends 
do), and I have included them. However, they are approxi- 
mations only and I have leaned over backwards in trying 
not to convey the wrong impression as to blooming dates. 
If there is any error it will be that the variety blooms 
earlier (not later) than the date I have given. In figuring 
blooming dates for your locality, remember the blooming 
date advances as one goes north and recedes as one goes 
south. For instance a variety in full bloom here will not 
reach a similar stage in New Orleans until a week later. 
This should enable you to adjust the dates to your locality. 
Delivery will be made this spring—from the last of 
March on, and will consist of small “plants”—not “rooted 
cuttings” that require potting up and growing on some 
time before they can be set in their permanent location. 
My plants can be set in their permanent location outside 
promptly on arrival. They will be shipped bare root, 
wrapped in damp moss and then carefully packed in 
excelsior. 
I realize quite well that there seems to be a “racket” in 
the mum business—often a person will order certain par- 
ticular varieties, state very specifically that only the 
varieties ordered are desired, care for them so carefully 
during the hot summer, and then have them bloom out 
inferior varieties that fall. It is sad to relate, but true 
nevertheless, that some growers will ship one’s order 
correct as to label—BUT woefully wrong when it comes 
to blooming. Nature seems. to have unintentionally aided 
in this “racket”, as with few exceptions it is impossible 
to tell one variety from. another in the plant or cutting 
stage. 
Nothing makes me madder than to be duped in such a 
manner (and I have often been so duped), and I have 
resolved to make my little mum business unique in that 
you will get what you order, or if you permit substitution, 
to correctly label the plant I ship. Most of my business 
now is repeat orders—so that policy must be appreciated 
by discriminating flower-friends. 
To carry out this policy it is necessary that I personally 
gather, label, pack and ship each order myself (which nec- 
essarily limits it to a small volume), and in return I wovld 
appreciate a postcard stating the condition of the plants 
on arrival, as well as any suggestions you may have 
towards improving my packing methods. (I have received 
some good suggestions from customers). 
However, being human, an occasional error will occur, 

