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 1s 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 would 
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, 
and in such cases I would prefer to know about it—rather 
than be judged guilty of deliberate mis-labeling. 
Now this careful packing takes TIME, MATERIAL and 
STAMPS for parcel post, as all small orders will go for- 
ward by prepaid parcel post (Large orders at special 
prices will go by express, COLLECT). To cover this ex- 
pense I am asking each customer to add $.50 to the total 
of the order when the same is $5.00 or less to cover trans- 
portation and packing costs. In cases where the order 
runs from $5.00 to $10.00 please add $.75 to the order, 
and $1.00 when the order amounts to more than $10.00. 
I practically always include a few plants gratis with each 
order, so you will be well repaid for this small additional 
charge. 
If interested in quantity, most standard and not-too- 
scarce varieties can be furnished in lots of 25 and multi- 
ples thereof of one variety at around 12% cents each, but 
please write me first the varieties you want and how 
many of each, before you order as some varieties are 
slow propagators and I could not supply them in quantity 
at any price. 
Now about the English Chrysanthemums we are hear- 
ing so much about these days; it seems they came over 
from England to western Canada a few years ago, and 
from there spread over the United States. Even as late 
as 1941 few varieties were outside the State of Wash- 
ington. Since then, however, they have moved fast—and 
with ever increasing popularity in the central and north- 
ern states. This popularity is largely due to the fact that 
most of the English varieties bloom well in advance of 
the really “big”? mums seen in the florists’ windows each 
fall. Consequently, in localities where the real large 
mums can not be grown outside (without considerable 
protection) the English strain will often mature blooms, 
and while these blooms are not quite as large as the “ex- 
hibition” or “football” types they do afford large blooms 
in localities where the truly “big”? mums can not be grown 
outside. However, in the “Deep” South it is possible to 
grow most mum varieties outside and while I will add a 
few English varieties to my list from time to time, I 
imagine I will continue to stick to the varieties I know. 
Owing to their earliness they do fill a distinct need 
farther north, and I have added a few to my list this 
year. As they are still in the experimental stage with me, 
I would appreciate your comments on the behavior of the 
English varieties in your own yard or garden in 1949. 
During my over 15 years experience in dealing with the 
public I have found only rare instances of dishonesty— 
