Py RoR br AL@rr 
TO MY MANY FLOWER-MINDED FRIENDS AND 
CUSTOMERS.—Well, 1948 is over and 1949 is with us, 
and it is time to get out another mum list. Before I do 
this I would like to pause long enough to add that de- 
spite a rather poor start my mums turned out unusually 
well in 1948. In early spring they refused to develop good 
root growth; a nice-looking plant a foot tall, when dug 
would have but few roots (you may have noticed this on 
plants you received). Perhaps plenty of water and good 
rich soil made it unnecessary to develop much root 
growth. But be that as it may, up in the year they re- 
turned to “normalcy” and by fall the whole place was 
covered with nice growth and plenty of buds. The unusual- 
ly long and mild fall of 1948 enabled practically all va- 
rieties to mature their buds—in fact I picked a few ripe 
tomatoes from a vine in the open garden the week be- 
fore Christmas, Should I have similar trouble this spring 
I intend to transplant all plants one time before ship- 
ment, as transplanting induces the formation of good root 
systems. 
In response to many requests that I get out my cata- 
logue earlier, I am this year starting early enough to 
get this to you well in advance of the planting time. In 
return, if you are going to order any mums this year, 
please let me have your order early—the word “BUSY” 
is a rank understatement of my activities during shipping 
season. 
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 
ie tell one variety from another in the plant or cutting 
stage. 
Nothing makes me madder than to be duped in such a 
