Now let’s look at the plantband program! 
The bands are set up in the flats by highschool kids. 
The flats come to the potting room with the bands 
already in them. A shovelful of soil is scattered 
over the flat to cover the bottom. A plant is set in 
the corner band, and a handful of soil is cupped into 
the band with the hand, pressed slightly, and another 
plant picked up, ready to go thru the same process. 
Potting into plantbands, or “‘banding”’, goes quickly, 
and the cost per plant is low. 
When the flat is full, it is set on a roller conveyor 
which carries it down to the water trough to be well 
watered. Then the flatful of plants is set on a truck 
that rolls out into the coldframes or greenhouses. 
Each time a flat is moved, it means 50 plants or more 
are in transit. The whole fiat is handled as a unit. 
When packing time comes, a flatful of plants is 
handled in every case. No tapping out; no paper 
shipping pots; no “‘shoring up” of the plants to make 
them ride well in transit. The band goes right with 
the plants, holding the soil firmly in transit. 
When you get the plants in bands, all you need to do 
is to set them un in flats - and that can be done in a 
few moments. Water them well and place them 
where they are shaded so that they wvn’t need water- 
ing every day; and you can leave them there for one 
day or six months, and they’ll just keep right on 
growing. You don’t have to upset the whole place 
to get together help to plant them “right now”, as 
you would if they were out of pots. 
Imagine in your own mind the great many costs that 
have been eliminated. But then we have gone still 
further! Every handling detail and practically every 
motion of making cuttings, potting, handling flats of 
plants, etc., has been studied and worked out to cut 
down all unneccessary motion. Our helpers apprec- 
late being able to do the things quickly and simply, 
and of course that adds to lowering costs. 
There you have the explanation for the unbelievably 
low prices for some of the finest liners you have ever 
bought. 

American Holly in 3” bands; and every one 
guaranteed to be a berry-bearing lady. 
4 
