acid-alkali balance depends upon the concentration of hydrogen ions in a_ saturated 
solution. This is expressed in pH units. pH 7 is neutral. Below that the acidity increases; 
above it the alkalinity increases. For the mathematical, I will explain that the numeral 
F the negative logarith denoting the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram atoms per 
iter. 
Soiltex Outfit. This small kit will enable you to determine the pH of your soil. No 
chemical knowledge is needed. Full directions for its use are included. Price $1.00. 
"If your soil is too alkaline for the plants you wish to grow, the remedy is to add 
humus. Imported peat is the most acid. Some American peat is acid but some of it is 
ae alkaline due to minerals contained. Oak leaf mould is more acid than other leaf 
moulds. 
Canadian Peat. We can furnish this to near-by customers for $5.00 per bale, or 10 
lbs. for $1.00 f.0.b. La Verne. Buy locally if you can. If ordered, be sure to ask your 
Express Agent the rate on 100 Ibs. It may be nearly twice the cost of the peat, for a 
long distance. 
Rootone induces quick rooting of bulbs, cuttings and the sprouting of seed. As the 
result of its action bulbs make a more vigorous root system and grow larger and produce 
greater increase. Slightly moisten the base of the bulb and cover with a thin film of 
Rootone. Dip end of cuttings into the powder. Tumble seeds in a jar or seed envelope 
with the powder. Roll the coated seed out and save remaining powder. Price, one-half 
ounce, a good supply, 50c postpaid. 1-lb. can, for very extensive planting, $5.00. 
Vitamin B-1 is a useful stimulant for plants, we believe. We have used it in trans- 
Penne bulbs and other plants with apparent usefulness. Price per bottle of 100 tablets, 
c 
Directions for use, applying only to our own tablets. In transplanting bulbs or any 
plants, loose roots, dissolve 5 tablets in I gal. of water. Soak roots in this 15 to 30 min. 
Pour solution around plant when set. To stimulate growing plants, for the first appli- 
cation, dissolve one tab. in 2 gal. water. For succeeding waterings, use 1 tab. to 4 gal. 
water once a week. Warning. Do not soak dormant bulbs in Vit. B-1. It rots them. 
Sources of more information. Subscribe for Flower Grower, Albany, New York. 
$2.50 per year. $4.00 for 2 yrs. Send directly to them. Also join local garden clubs. 
I belong to and recommend The American Plant Life Society. Please note under 
Amaryllidaceae; also The American Horticultural Society. The latter society publishes The 
National Horticultural Magazine, quarterly, which members receive. The magazine is 
printed on heavy book paper, beautifully illustrated and covers entire field of horticulture, 
not merely bulbs or house plants. Send $3.00 for annual membership to The American 
Horticultural Society, Inc., 821 Washington Loan & Trust Building, Washington 4, D.C. 
GARDEN REFERENCE BOOKS 
Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture. This 3-vol. set of over 3,600 pages describes 
almost every cultivated plant and has a wealth of culture information. Price $30.00 post- 
paid. N.B. The publishers have sold out the last editions of this and Hortus Second. 
New editions have been in preparation for several months but due to paper shortage it is 
likely that orders may be delayed several months. Both works are worth waiting for. 
Only thing you can do is to put in your order and your check and wait in_ line. 
Flash. The publishers have just informed me that they expect the new edition of the 
Cyclopedia to be ready this fall. I have customers who have waited a year or more. If 
you have sent us $25.00, you must now meet the new price and send another $5.00 or 
request a cancellation of the order. See explanation under Orchids. 
Hortus Second. (Bailey) A Concise Dictionary of Gardening. This 778 page volume 
lists and describes nearly every plant offered in catalogs, and some that are not in the 
Cyclopedia of Hort. It contains only a few culture hints. Both works should be in every 
garden library. Price $5.00. 
A Southern Garden, by Elizabeth Lawrence, a handbook for the Middle South. A 
most useful handbook for all gardeners, north or south. Bulbs and all garden plants. 251 
pages. Price $3.00. | 
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