not harmed by sun or weather, being run across by auto or truck. Does not kink. 
It is pure plastic material, no cotton to rot, no rubber to break down with age, no 
alkali or other chemical affects it. We have found only one thing can damage 
this hose,—very hot water under pressure. It is so unbelievably light in weight 
that a 4 year old child could carry a 25 ft. length, as it weighs under 4 lbs. 
The inside is mirror smooth, thus water runs thru a small diameter as 
rapidly and delivers as much as a considerably larger diameter. 
Price, small diam. hose, (approx. %” or a little over) Resinite Airtight 
Plastic Hose, 25 ft. length, $5.10 f.o.b. La Verne. By mail, postpaid, zones 1 or 2 
35c extra; zone 3 or 4, 45c extra; zone 5 or 6, 55c extra; zone 7 or 8, 75c extra. 
The “Extra” is for packing, postage and insurance. Sales Tax 3% in Calif. 
ACID AND ALKALINE SOILS 
Most plants thrive in mildly acid, neutral or mildly alkaline soils. But others 
do not have so wide a range of tolerance. Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Camellias, 
Gardenias, Zantedeschias, Caladiums (and other members of Arum family), Ner- 
ines, Haemanthus, Gloxinias, Begonias, Orchids and most shade loving plants 
require an acid soil. Some like Gladiolus prefer mildly acid to neutral soils Beard- 
ed Iris do best in neutral to alkaline soils. The 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 is the negative 
logarith denoting the concentration of hydrogen ions in gram atoms per liter. 
To determine whether your soil is acid or alkaline, purchase for a few 
cents at your drug store a pad of litmus paper. Get both blue and red if avail- 
able. Moisten the soil, blue litmus paper is turned red by an acid soil. The strong- 
er acidity or alkalinity is shown by more rapid and pronounced change in color. 
If only one color paper is available moistened red litmus may be turned blue by 
holding it in the fumes of household ammonia. Turn blue litmus red by immers- 
ing in a very weak solution of any acid like white vinegar. Then dry. 
Horticultural Peat, leaf mould, (oak leaf mould is the best) or compost will 
help correct. soils that are too alkaline. Good drainage will cause it to leach out. 
Danish Peat. Any peat is difficult to get right now for some reason. Buy 
any horticultural peat locally if possible. We can furnish only Danish peat, very 
acid, for 20c per pound, postage extra. (ask your P. M. what zone you are in 
from Los Angeles, near La Verne, the amount of postage required for the weight 
you want.) This is too expensive except for potted begonias, gloxinias, orchids 
etc. or a very rare plant in the garden. 
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 
transplanting bulbs and other plants with apparent usefulness. 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. of water. Soak roots in this 
15 to 30 min. Pour solution around plant when set. To stimulate growing plants, 
for the first application, dissolve one tab. in 2 gal. water. For succeeding water- 
ings, 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. $3.00 per year. $5.00 for 2 years. Send directly to them. Also join local 
garden clubs. 
Plant Societies are of the greatest value to amateur gardeners. Some of 
them issue year books or publications of great value. Others have meetings and 
lectures. I belong to and recommend those mentioned below but there are many 
focal groups as well as national, not mentioned, that are of great value. 
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