


















|In millions of flowers observed, 
there was no variation. In a field 
with several acres of blossoms, 
there was but one having partly 
maroon rays. | Maroon variations 
are now available in the trade. 
A vigorous member of the tribe 
is the cone flower R. purpurea, 
whose prominent blossoms with 
drooping. purple rays quickly com- 
mands your attention. It’s deep 
root guarantees a food supply when 
many other plants have withered 
from the August heat and dryness. 
—Arthur G, Eldridge 

They thrive natur- 
‘and poorer soils 
Glow ‘is. the one that has 
wide! idely distributed. 
ag wing spot in the off- 

ACACIA SEED 
Idew under the same condi- 
weather when its parent, 

SSS \ 
Seed of Acacia keeps for years 
and are most durable even in some 
species it has shown some viabili- 
ty after 68 years. 5 
The seed has a hard coat and 
can be scarified, treated with hot 
water or soaked in sulfuric acid. 
Try planting the seed in wood 
ashes, with some dirt. — 

at all. This is a point in 
t the latter, to whichmay 
led a second one, that of 
tive value and indivi- 































sais Yi 
a°s 
wv 
lettuce. Grown in early spring or late 
fall_as a pot-herb or salad; seed sown in 
early fall, some plants will get large 
enough for fall use and the balance with 
mulching can be carried over for early 
spring plants. Sow im early spring in 
rows 12 inches apart; they do not do well 
during the hot summe: The leaves are 
mixed with mustard, pepper grass or 
water cress, as a salad, Pkt. 15c; Oz, 60c. 


} ah) 
¢ ica.) - ze clea Se 
low ground and makes 
@ by aide of stream, per- 
ae ~~ 
t Parsley Family, 
see sed for flavoring 
A ae in. a gee Nera 
wn. ow seed in 
he £ plants are to grow. CRESS 










(Lepidium sativum.) . Pepper Grass. 
Plain Leaved. Annual growing quickly 
and making the best greens for garnishing 
and for salads; the richer the soil the 
better, plant in rows 12’ apart in earliest 
spring and at weekly intervals till middle 
of May. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 25c; Y% lb. 35c, 
—Curled or Double Leaved. Makes nicer 
leaves for garnishing as well as for salads. 
Pkt. 10c; Oz, 20c; 1% lb, 35c. 5; 
—tLarge Leaf French. A large leaf strain. 
Pkt. 15¢; Oz. 25¢; 4 lb. 40c. 
CRESS, American Upland or 
Winter Cress. 
(Barbara vernaprocox). A hardy biennial; 
‘sown early in the Spring in rich soil, the 
leaves are ready in late mid-summer; 
being hardy they will be ready for use in 
the spring following cuttin? before flower 
stems dévelop, Pkt. 15c; oz. 25¢; 1% lb. 70c. 
CRESS, TRUE WATEL 
(Nasturtium officinalis.) Low trailing per- 
ennial growing in wet ground and springs, 
easily grown from seed and best for 
1 aan in early spring or fall, Pkt. 20c; 
Ze . 
DILL . : ‘ é 
(Anethrum graveolens.) Of Parsley Fam- 
ily, grown for its seeds which are used in 
flavoring ve au yee Bowe early in 
. Upper leaves and| spring or late in fall, in rows 18” apart, 
yey lower leaves | thinning to 8-10’ in the row. When ripe 
‘spinach; the fresh foliage |Cut the heads, drying them on canvas and 
: flavor and adds a cooling Ree ee Na He seeds, ae can 
‘ i -3 ft. apart, |be stored in clot ags in a dry place. 
Pen ioc on soc, WP" | Put. 10c; Oz. 20c: Y4 Ib. 35e. 
o wen ~ 
LY (KAR-ah-way) FENNEL, Long Sweet 
~ An annual or biennial (Foeniculum vulgare.) Hardy perennial 
are used to flavor bread, |9T0wn as an annual for its aromatic seeds 
tions and cheese; easily |and fragrant young leaves, both used in 
early spring sown seeds, flavoring; seeds are slow to germinate, 
are to stand, for two seasons. |S0 sow early in the spring, give full sun 
cots and leaves may be used and ordinary care. Pkt. 15c; Oz. 50c. 
ids. Sow few radish seed to 
y. Pkt. 15¢ Oz. 35c. 
(kahr-DOON) Smooth Spanish 
cardunculus). Grown for its 
ed s and thick main root, sow 
where plants are to grow, in 
. Water during dry per- 
. foliage te der, in fall treat 
sry and later they will be ready 
» Celery or Endive. Pkt. 15e; 
ak 
An aromatic sweet 
ily, used in seasoning, 
md medicine; grows 2 ft. tall, 
a decided lemon odor and 








* grown from seed sown 
we early in spring. Pkt. 20c; 
. ioe 
u Uy a 
 basilicum minimum) 
‘family esteemed for 
nnual, tender and should 
r~ frost danger is past. 
started indoors or 
agrgon thin plants to 
‘tich soil plants will 
eaves after being cut. 
ossoms form, hang up 
ts can be lifted in 
during the winter. 
+ 2 ft. tall. Pht. 15e; oz. 30c. 
ei ee 3 
‘and uch used 
‘ked gardeners, 
$1.30. — 



=> - 
“ 















- Attractive plant, 
sky-blue flowers in 



































-weeks, growth rapid. Pkt. 15¢; Oz, 50c. 
SWEET FENNEL, Sicily. 


OUP tender. Pkt. 15¢; oz. 25c; 4 lb. 80c, 
: tyne. 
- oups, it 
3 
her in green state or | HOARHOUND 
O#, “35e. >* 
S 
«7 es 
"2 * 
est suited for use in 


; 
_ (CHUR-vil) a 
cus cerefolium.) Plain leaf Cher-} 
ley Family, whose parsley-like 
sed for, flavoring salads. 
’. Sow seeds in early spring 
in any good garden soil, some 
and produces leaves for use 
‘Pkt. 10c; Oz. 40c, 



HYSSOP (HIS-up) 





and medicinal herb-and as an ornamental; 


-vil) . 50c. 
eee? “Ghdied loathe © 
evil. Similar to the plain leaf Cherore | LAVENDER. absinthium. 
, similar to curled Parsley. 



Pkt, 1Se; oz. 50c. 
LAVENDER. TRUE 






int bus). A perennial herb, 
which can be dried and used 
te for coffee; the leaves are 
S ry. The leaves are forced 
and winter to produce loose 
ni Nina tag Rd witlof s 7a gare 
< vy s) id, nly in 
eee Ber Pa 
cutting tops to 1’ and store 
lar; for witlof, shorten the | LEEK. 
cu’ting the lower end, bury 
sand or soil covering tops 
il and keep -at 











Pkt. 15¢; oz. 35c; 1% Ib. $1.40. 
| LOVAGE Moai 


est in deep rich soil, easy to_ grow. 
ed for its aromatic fruits. Pkt. 15. 
seca 


































































—Florentine. (F. vulgare, var. dulce.) Has 
greatly enlarged leaf bases from a bulb- 
like base, 3-4 in. in diameter; the bulbs 
are blanched by covering with earth and 
then cooked as a vegetable but the stalks 
which resemble anise-flavored celery, can 
be eaten raw. Make plantings every two 
Large Sweet Broad Bottom. Similar to 
Florentine or Florence Fennel, and having 
a very broad base or “apple’’, is extra 
(Marrubium vulgare.) An aromatic per- 
ennial with ‘woolly white foliage and 
whitish flowers; used mainly in flavoring 
candies; plant thrives in dry soil. Pkt. 20c. 
(Hyssopus officinalis.) Hardy perennial 
herb or sub-shrub grown as a culinary 
grown from seed sown early in spring or 
late fall, transplant in early summer to 
12-18” apart, limy soils best. Pkt. 15c; 
Shrubby plant and grown as a source 
for absinthe, hardy and easily grown. 
(Lavandula spica.) Not real hardy in 
N. and must be protected with. a good 
mulch of straw; they develop their best 
frocrance when grown in a dry, light, limy, 
friable soil én full sun, the soil not too 
rich, Grown for an ornament as well as 
for its leaves which ‘are dried, giving off 
its rich fragrance for which it is valued. 
Start early in spring indoors or try plant- 
ing it outdoors in Nov. .Pkt. 25¢; 3 for 55c, 
(Allium porrum). A hardy biennial with 
a mild onion flavor grown for its thick 
leaves and stem and used as asparagus or 
for seasoning soups and meat dishes. Sow 
seeds early in Spring in a seed bed, trans- 
planting when 3” tall, 1-2’ apart in flats; 
plant in light rich moist but well drained 
> soil in rows with the plants 12-15” apart, 
td setting them half their height in soil and 
| Witlof. Pkt.|qradually draw earth around stems as 
they grow. The plants can be dug for 
| winter use, placing them in a cold frame 
or cool cellar, having a low temeprature. 
(Levisticum officinale). A perennial herb 
‘| growing io ft. Mi Ce pete Chadd waHWOOD 
es and greenish-yellow flowers in 
‘umbels, hardy as far N. as Pa. and Ill, 
~ 

Catalog of Rare and Popular Flow- 
er Seeds, I note with a great deal 
of interest, the article entitled Del- 
phinium Suggestions. 
I had that same experience as 
John H. Davis of Lynchburg, Va., 
regarding the disappearance of 
some of my choice plants, always 
the largest (about three inches 
jhigh) or as soon as their true 
leaves appeared. In the evening, 
some plants would be almost large 
enough to trarsplant—the next 
morning they simply were not 
‘there. 
One morning just after daylight, 
I heard a contented twitter just 
outside our kitchen window. There 
was a Merry Brown Thrush going 
down the row pulling out and eat- 
MEDICINAL | 
root, growing it from seed is a much easier 
method, cheaper and above all plants from 
seed are much stronger and better grow- 
ers. It comes very true to type as well. 
Sow seed early in the Spring, growing 
them in a rich soil, transplanting them as 
they gét size and finally set out in rows 
4-5 ft. apart both ways. They stand a 
good -qmount of manure. 
—Goliath. ; ; 
A red stem variety that is used very 
much. Pkt. 10c?.0z, 25¢; 1% lb. 80c. 
—Queen Victoria. 
An English variety, very popular. Pkt. 
10c; oz. 25c; Ib. 80c. 
ROCKET-SALAD 
(Eruca_ sativa.) ~ Roquette. Used as 
greens. Pkt. 15c; Oz. 40c. 
ROSEMARY | 
(Rosmarinus officinalis.) A hardy shrubby 
plant grown chiefly for its aromatic leaves 
used in seasoning as_well as an oil used 
in medicines. Grows 6 ft. and lasts for 
years with a little winter protection; pre- 
$1.60 / 
RUE 
mental, Pkt, 25¢. 
SWEET BASIL 










for winter growing. Pkt. 10c; Oz. 45e, 
SAGE =< 
Ox. 80c. 
SAVORY, Winter. 
SUMMER SAVORY 
SCORZONERA (skaur-zoh-NEE-rah). 
VY Ib. $1.25 
SCURVEY GRASS 
and partially shaded soi’ Pkt. 15¢. 
SORREL, Mammoth Lyon. 
oz. 40c, 
SWEET MARJORAM 







































Oz. 5c. 
TANSY French 





Pkt. 15c; Oz. 80c. 

THYME 


10-12" apart. 









‘ in spikes. Plants are aromatic, the tops 
am iponticum). While Rhubarb |and leaves being the parts dried, peren- 
ased by division of the ‘nial. ee aes : 



Birds and Flowers 
In the recent issue of the Sair|ing the largest seedlings, leaving 
‘|return; no appreciable growth was 





































fers dry, well drained soils. Pkt. 25c; Oz. 
(Ruta graveolens.) Perennial shrubby 
plant to 3 ft. with yellowish flowers; has 
medicinal properties as well as orna- 
(Ocymum basilicum.) Easily grown ten- 
der annual, 1 ft. Leaves delightfully clove- 
scented and used eithe green or dried 
im seasoning soups, salads, cottage cheese, 
‘chopped meats or sausages. Plant 6-10" 
apart, thrives in light warm soils. Cut 
in bundles to dry. Plants can be potted 
(Salvia officinalis.) Hardy perennial, 
easily grown; plant early in spring or in 
Nov. The leaves are dried and used as 
seasoning in meats, sausages, stuffings 
and cheeses. Space 21-3 ft. Pkt. 15c; 
(Satureja montana), A perennial herb or 
sub-shrub that is grown and used much 
like the Summer Scvory. Pkt. 15¢; oz. 65c. 
(Satureja hortensis.) Hardy annual and 
very useful culinary herb, the aromatic 
leaves being used, either green or dried, 
for flavoring salads, sauces, stuffings, 
soups and stews. Start seed in pans on 
account of their small size, transplanting 
as soon as large enough, spating 15’ 
apart, thriving in good garden soil and 
full sun. It is very famous for its flavor 
in green string beans and should be grown 
in all beans sections. Pkt. 15c; Oz. 40c. 
(Scorzonera hispanica). A hardy peren- 
nial herb grown as an annual for its long 
slender roots known as Black-or-Spanish 
Salsify. The ycung leaves can also be 
used in salads. Grow it the same as 
Parsnips or Salsify, Pkt. 15¢; oz. 30c; 
(Cochlearia officinalis.) A small herb 
of Mustard Family grown for its medicinal 
properties also as a salad; prefers cool 
Rumex. Low growing perennial with 
sour leaves used in salads or to flavor 
salads. This is an improved variety much 
used in Europe and well worth growing 
where a market is available. Pkt. I0c; 
(Origanum marjorana.) Perennial best 
grown as an anaual in the N.; leaves used 
green in summer and dried for winter, 
excellent for salads when green and for 
seasoning . soups, meats, poultry and 
cheese when driéd. Seeds are small and 
best started in seed pan and transplanted 
out, 12-15” apart. For drying gather 
leaves just before they flower. Pkt. 20c; 
(Tanacetum vulgare.) Common Tansy. 
Perennial to 3 ft., grown in the garden for 
ornament, in herb garden for its medicinal 
properties and flavoring, easily grown. 
(Thymus vulgaris.) Hardy perennial, 
growing to 8” tall, with lavender flowers, 
grown both for ornament in border or rock 
garden and for its flavor, the fresh tops 
being used in garnishing and the leaves, 
either dried or fresh, chopped and used 
in’a wide variety of cooked foods. Easily 
grown in ordinary garden soil, spacing 
(Artemisia vulgaris). Mugwort _ or 
Mother Wort. Tall plant with stems often 
purple and leaves fragrant, green above 
and white beneath, flower heads yellow 
lle hs PIONEER SEED COMPANY, DIMONDALE, MICHIGAN PAGE THIRTY-ONE 
Hardy Cyclamen 
By CR. Worth 
Like delicate butterflies poised 
for flight are the blossoms of the 
hardy cyclamen, as they brighten 
the garden in the dull days of late 
summer and fall. Dainty and small 
in leaf and flower, they Jack the 
obese glory of their greenhouse 
relatives, and are happily at home 
in the cooler spots of the rock gar- 
den and in light woodland, 
There is a number of species 
scattered around the Mediterra- 
nean region, from the Swiss Alps 
to Asia Minor and the Caucasus. 
Some flower in fall, others in win- 
ter and early spring, and most are 
hard to come by. Not all are har- 
dy in northern gardens, but the 
two lovliest are both hardy and 
reasonably obtainable. 
Cyclamen europaeum has slight- 
ly marbled leaves almost exactly 
like those of the greenhouse varie- 
ties on a smaller scale. On stems 
of at most four inches, flowers of 
bright crimson, inch-long, hover 
from August until late in the fall. 
Cyclamen neapolitanum has jag- 
ged ivy-like leaves, beautifully 
marbled, which appear with the 
flowers and vanish in late winter 
or early spring. Its flowers are of 
clear rose pink or rarely an ex- 
quisite white; in size of bloom and 
in height they match C. eropaeum, 
Less frequently available is C, 
coum, a tiny plant with mue 
smaller flowers of intense magen- 
ta in very late winter or earliest 
spring. Its hardiness is question- 
able, but it, or a plant close to it, 
lived for some years in the open 
in central New York. C. repandum 
has never survived to flowering in 
my alpine house, and other names 
which may be met are of even 
less reliably hardy species; all of 
these should, however, be com- 
pletely hardy south of Philadel- 
phia. 
Seeds of the hardy cyclamen all 
too often cause disappointment by 
failing to germinate, yet all that 
ig necessary to secure a g00d stand 
is to soak the seeds in luke-warm 







































































the smaller ones for next time. 
Heré is the remedy: Get the 
smallest mesh chicken wire, fold 
in the center to form an arched 
tent, and place it over the row. 
This will not interfere with sun, 
air and -watering and is high 
enough to allow plenty of room 
for growth. 
Mrs. Harold M. Gould 
@ FRANKLINIA 
(Continued from Page 1) 

mass of glowing orange stamens. 
The spicy, exotic fragrance is of 
the East, characteristic of the Thea 
family, to which Franklinia is re- 
lated. From mid-August until frost 
the procession of flowers continues 
with the addeq color of crimson 
and gold leaves heralding Jack 
Frost’s approach. Pick one with a 
leaf or two, occasionally, and float 
in a small crystal bowl, for indoor 
delight. 
In 1942, one tree sickened, drop- 
ped its foliage, and forced pruning 
destroyed the symetry. Blossoming 
was scant and foliage showed de- 
cided dissatisfaction with its diet 
and location. A stiff feeding of 
cotton seed meal, and light weekly 
applications of Vigoro in solution, 
appeared to keep the planting 
alive, but vigor and health did not 
made. 1948 failed to produce a 
single flower on either tree. A 
change of location appeared to be 
the only means of saving both 
trees. 
Early in 1944, the results of ex- 
periments carried out by Dr, Fred- 
erick V. Colville, on rooted Frank- 
linia cuttings came to my atten- 
tion, The experiments were simple 
and conclusive: A number of cut- 
tings similar in growth and ap- 
pearance were selected. One half 
were planted in ordinary garden 
soil, the other half in strongly acid 
soil. The cuttings jn acid soil grew, 
maintained vigorous leaf tone; for 
the ones in’ neutral soil, growth 
ceased and they began dropping 
foliage. Here was the answer to 
the problem, symptoms correspon- 
ed to my experience, To further 
prove the definite need for acid, 
part of the sick cuttings were pot- 
ted in acid soil and immediately 
put out®foliage and made new 
growth. \ 
Determined to test the proof of 
Dr, Colville’s experiment, it was 
decided not to move the two trees, 
but to try a diet of Aluminum Sul- 
phate and Vigoro on alternate 
week ends, beginning in early 
spring of 1944. The immediate ef- 
fect was startling! Both trees re- 
sponded with vigor, deep green fo- 
liage, new growth, and an abun- 
dance of bloom which lasted until 
frost. 
Little or no pruning is necessary 
but remember blossoms are formed 
on the season’s new growth. Early 
spring is best for this work. Fine 
feeding roots grow at the surface, 
take care in cultivating. Because 
of this surface mat of roots, a 
mulch of straw or leaves in au- 
tumn, and of humus and peat in 
spring is beneicial. ; 
—D. Todd Gresham 
terial at the bottom, and filled with 
a mixture of equal parts loam, 
sand and either Jeafmolg or peat; 
a quarter inch of covering is amp- 
le. The pot should be covered with 
glass or building paper to preserve 
moisture, and set in a cool places 
freezing is unnecessary, but does 
not seem to be harmful, In two to 
three months, after a tiny translu- 
cent brown corm has been formed, 
a single true leaf will appear. Now 
the pot should be uncovered and 
set in a lightly shaded position, 
and the young plants should be 
kept growing as long as possible 
the first season. Eventually the 
cormlets will go dormant, and will 
remain in that condition until the 
next summer; during dormancy, 
they must never be allowed to dry 
out. It is probably best not to re- 
move them from the seed-pot until 
the little corms are at least % 
inch across, when they are ready 
to be put in their permanent posi- 
tions. They will flower in two 40 
three years, depending on the 
amount of development made the 
first season, : 
leafmold and lime, as well as some 
shade. Here they are grown at the 
base of the rock garden, on tae 
north side of rocks, In England, 
they are often planted under trees 
and in shrubbery, where the corms 
eventually grow to immense size 
and produce hundreds of blooms. 
As yet they -are too scarce and 
precious in this country to be 
trusted in any but the choicest of 
positions, which must be carefully 
markeg to avoid disturbance of the 
plants duving their early summer 
dormancy. 
Yee ——— eee 

Raising Holly 
From Seed 
The seed of Ilex or Holly can be 
stratified in moist sand. In nature 
it will germinate in one to three 
years. Due to its hard seed coat 
and dormant embryo, germination 
is usually slow and difficult. None 
of the mechanical methods to has- 
ten germination seems to be ef- 
fective here. 
Probably the best treatment is 
to sow seed in the fall, mulching 
it well during the winter. In the 
spring, if enough seedlings have 
responded, they may be transfer- 
red to permanent location, and the 
bed abandoned. However, if few or 
no seeds have germinated, leave 
the bed, mulching it well again the 
second winter, and if necessary, 
the third, when the seed should 
have shown results of care. 
With Ilex opaca, it is best to 
stratify the seed first for one 
month at 75 degrees before sow- 
ing, or the seed can be buried in a 
mixture of sand and peat, to be 
forgotten until after the second 
winter, when it should be taken 
from container, planted and cover- 
ed with one eighth inch of soil. 
Tex does not thrive in a full 
sun location, but will do very well 
in part shade and part sun. 

GINSENG — ARALIA 
The seed has a hard coat and is 
best planted as soon as ripe in the 
fall so as to be stratified over 
winter. 
Cyclamen prefer soil rich in! 
» 
water for 4 hours before sowing. 
They should be planted in pots con- ih 
taining an inch of drainag 
