The Purple Dragon 
By D. Todd Gres'iarn 
Dracunculus vulgaris, "The Purple Dragon’ 
is not a prim, posy plant, rather it is a plant 
strong in design, color, and oxor, 
Huge apple green, mareon I:ned spath en- 
circles a protruding black purple spadix, the 
whole covered by a hazy blue bloom, Ex- 
otic fingered tropical foiiage offsets the blos- 
som. 
For a color kick, plant where the lowering 
rays of the setting sun ‘ight the inner spath 
to a rich, sombre ruby glow. In_ favored 
climate a club of showy berries, in success- 
ive stages of ripening, green to bright orange- 
scarlet, brighten the landscape 
Hardy on Long island, if planted ten to 
twelve inches, and mulched. Plant in full 
sun. 
Seed germinate readily, forming small tub- 
ers the first season. In cuid <ctnates these 
should be grown in pots or flats the first two 
years, allowing them to go dormant in the 
fall, and starting into growth im carly spring. 
Plant tubers in permanent location the third 
or treat as a pot plant. 
A Transplanting Tool 
Pricking out tiny seedlings from the seed 
bed requires a steady and trained hand and 
here is a little tool that can be easily made 
and does the work to perfection. 
Heat an ordinary steel pen point, to red 
heat and then press the point down on some 
hard surface, in the same position as if you 
were going to write, thus bending the point 
upwards and the two sharp points apart, 
somewhat like pitchfork in appearance, 
At the other end of the pen holder drive 
a strong needle into it, leaving the head pro- 
jecting about an inch. 
With the needle the little seedlings can be 
loosened in the seed flat and then with the 
pen-point end they can be lifted up and trans- 
ferred to their new position. 
Books of the Month. 
Continued from page four. 
standardized John Innis composts. Their 
book shows how these remarkable composts 
save time, reduces the hazards of raising 
difficult plants from seed, and simplify 
proper potting on of seedlings or cuttings 
to maturity. Complete formulas and meth- 
ods of preparation given. 
WILD FLOWERS OF THE CAPE OF GOOD 
HOPE. Contains 250full page plates depict- 
ing 475 examples of the native flora drawn 
in water color and reproduced by the three- 
color process. It lists members of the most 
charactistic families trom the section within 
a radius of 100 miles of Cape Town. Spon- 
sored by the Botanical Society of S. Africa. 
Now being printed. Cloth subscription price 
around $5.00 duty and postage extra. 
FLORA OF THE CAPE PENINSULA. Re- 
quired 15 years to prepare, the great work 
of 12 botanists associated with the Univer- 
sity of Cape Town, the S. African Museum 
and the National Botanic Garden. Contains 
descriptions of all the flowering plants and 
ferns, over 2600 in number, that grow in the 
Cape Peninsula. The descriptions are writt- 
en in as non-technical language as possiole 
and contains simple keys of the families, the 
genera and for species of each genus. Over 
900 pages. $6.50, duty extra. Orders can be 
placed for either of these 2 S. African books 
for delivery as soon as published. 
And just think how we critized the gover- 
ment for giving away garden seeds. 
RARE FLOWER SEEDS SPECIALTY 
ALLYSUM. Continued from page 4. 
montana, gnaling rt Geeny VellOws ot MGs EP Re. eccsccacscccsesssctscscsstvarcartarcescescessessees ALYS-20. 20¢ 
saxitile v. Gold Dust. Spring flowering; 1’; golden yellow; HP... . ALYS-26G. 15¢ 
—compastum. Compact masses, yellow, April-May, 1 ft; HP............ .. ALYS-26C. 20¢ 
—Silver Queen. Primrose fis; fine for RG} 1 ft} HP ot. cctcccisccsccstcosecsseeneess ALYS-26S 20¢ 
—sulphureum. Pretty sulphur-ellow; 1 ft, HP ALYS-26U. 20¢ 
Rock Garden Specise. Contains a collection for RG; extra choice; HP.ALYS-34X 20¢ 
AMARYLLIS (am-ah-RIL-is) 
One species, A. Belladonna, of which there are several varieties or forms. Just late- 
ly the botanical name has been changed to Brunsvigia rosea. The usual time for fresh 
seed is April to June and should be sown as fresh as possible. 
S— Mammoth REG. CAlTOrNISy SRO accth casks sccccsscuss ns cpacoussesseceidsscsavatiecaseysases death vestsoctuavaes AMAL-I. 25¢ 
—Mammoth Red and White. Red flowers with some whites also............. AMAL-1W. 25¢ 
AMARANTHUS (am-ah-RAN-thus) 
Amaranth. Annuals native in mild climates and grown for their colored foliage and 
the heavy red flowers; they are easily grown ond will produce better flowers if grown 
in poor soil; for that dry bank, these should be fine; full sun. 
caudatus. Love-lies-ble:ding Long drooping red fis; 4ft; A... AMAR 1 10¢ 
—-Oeschberg ma Wreck, Gar LeGunOweRs wep At 1 08). nt scseccctressectorsa:ctedenteoterseenenervestes AMAR-IB. 15¢ 
—viridia. Same but with white fis; HA . AMAR-1W 15¢ 
NANUS se A CLW alk LOT. wit wee ee neees 3 .. AMAR-IN. 15¢ 
hybridus hypochondriacus. Prince’s Feather. Showy; red;3ft; HA..AMAR-2H 20¢ 
Molten Fire. Maroon fol each branch tipped fiery crimson; 4ft; HA........ AMAR-4F. 15¢ 
Pigmy Lorch. Wark crimson, low. plants, Lefty) ELA pene re eee ee ... AMAR-2P, 15¢ 
—salicifolius. Fountain Plant. Slender leaves, 3ft; HA .. AMAR-4S. 15¢ 
Sunrise DLonze: Crimsom and Scarlet, 3 ft HA <.......cccccessssscsatessersescrseeoee .. AMAR-4R. 15¢ 
splendens. A rich red with brilliant light re d fol at top plant... .... AMAR-4S. 15¢ 
Amaranthus Blend. Agus Kinds | Mmiscecis |) EVA mers ttn een steer acute ratienc nee AMAR-X 10¢ 
AMBERBOA = (am-bur-BOH-ah) 
Annuals with jaggedly cut or divided leaves and flower heads in purple, blue or pink 
resembling Bachelor Buttons. Easiy grown from seed and should be planted where 
plants are to grow; half hardy annuals native of Spain and Morocco. 
muricata. Easy; stars of pale purple with creamy centers; HHA........... AMBR-2 20¢ 
AMMOBIUM  ‘a-MOU-bi-um) 
Australian everlastings, perennial, with solitary heads of yellow fis surrounded by 
silvery-white bracts. Easy to grow, usualy as an annual but can be planted in the 
fall. Flowers remajn white if cut early. 
—alatum. Winged Everlasting. Foliage white-woolly, 3 ft, heads 2” ac........ AMOB-1. 15¢ 
AMPELOPSIS  (am-pe-LOP-sis 
Tendril-climbing deciduous shrubs belonging to the Grape Family. Grows well in 
any fair soil; some not hardy in the North. 
quinquefolia. Virginia Creeper, American Ivy. (Parthenocissus) .. .AMPL-13. 20¢ 
Velichil-e Bostonpsl Vs GEaALtnenOGiSSUS)) jiccisscsccercoteteeteretchsc en stacsere: seacstvetonereeeness a AMPL-12. 20¢ 
AMSONIA = (am-SOH-ne-ah) 
Perennials 1-3 ft tall, having bluish flowers followed by rather attractive milkweed-like 
pods; border, easily grown. 
Tabernaemontana. Star fls of soft blue; May-June; HHP............00... AMON-2 15¢ 
ANACYCLUS §(an-ass-S Y E-klus) 
A race of daisies from Med. regions related to Pyrethrum; a few species are very desir- 
able dwarf prennials with finely cut foliage and large white or yellow daisy-like flowers 
with backs of the rays striped with brilliant red. Sunny, stoney positions best. 
PATS Y CICS MB ES LE TIC orm u lls MISLED CS aus TI LCC Cle web EO eveensacectersin ite eeawscssyanevacsachesareacssssavausincercore ANCH-X 15¢ 
ANAGALLIS (an-ah-GAL-is) Pimpernel 
Low growing annuals, biennals and perennials having pretty little star-like flowers in 
red, blue and white that grow out of the axils of the leaves on hair-like stems. Very 
free flowering; some especially nice for the rock garden. Best jn a loose warm soil. 
= TIFTOLLA Ae MECC me UAL SD Ey | LOW. CL.CGivr.tisacteuescssccocecunrirs ssovsasecestestunstrncateceresnmtaasstensetse=s ANAG-2X. 20¢ 
SCALLOL eg ese ter arr aencapethsie ti ciarica tt ssp ioese dabawoecieeen ei perndl easaraei aciscanadeaxcddeMsteaeaaeueeeatoT ANAG-2S. 20¢ 
ANAPHALIS (an-NAF-al-iss) .... 
White woolly perennials for the rock garden or border; small white flowers and can be 
used as everlastings. 
margaritacea. Pearl Everlasting. Fine for dry fis; white; 3ft; HP...... ANAP-1 20¢ 
nubigena. Himalayan aipine for RG dwarf wooly; white fis; HP... ANAP-4. 25¢ 
ANCHUSA  (an-KEU-suh) 
Excellent perennials for the summer border in a sunny place; hardy, easily grown, 
flowering July-August or even later. Comes mainly in blue colors. Best in good soil 
with plenty of old manure. Be careful not to damage tap root when transplanting. 
azurea, Dropmore Variety. Lovely bright blue fis; 4ft; HP ANCH-2D i5¢ 
—Opal. Same as above but a lighter pretty blue; HP............... .. ANCH-2P 15¢ 
capensis, Blue Bird. Vivid indigo-blue, compact, 142 ft, HA.. .. ANCH-4B. 15¢ 
Anchusa Blends Alla kindSmrangil VATICTLOS 3) AELP  . ociiccs sects ccacsssusendeosansccanassoncrestcone ANCH-X 15¢ 
ANDROSACE (an-DROS-ah-see) 
Rock Jasmine. True alpine annuals and perennials for the rock garden or low bord 
er. Many require special handling in the alpine or rock garden. Leaves usually tufted 
or in rosettes and often woolly. Flowes small in red, pink or lavender, usually borne in 
rather flattened rounded clusters. Requires a dry gritty, well drained soil but not too 
suffer from drought. Seed may remain in the soil over a year. 
cylindrica muchin cushions: yi tall; (choice  alpimes) TP ie caceyssxesctnosssencersaoees ANDR-6 50¢ 
Pooler Pretty little: DlamteoCuldanty plmMle, 20, MELE er sscccsetsessssecccsuevsrerantecteensnetys ANDR-10. 25¢ 
sarmentosa chumbyi. Easy RG plant; mats of small rose fils; 3”; HP.ANDR-18C 25¢ 
sempervivoides. Fine RG plant; umbels of pink fis; 3”; HP... ANDR-19 25¢ 
septentrionalis subumbellata. Sprays of small white fis; 5”; bg .ANDR-20S 25¢ 
SY, UAKU TVG TL GSA SUS ee ete eee rade fee cated acemNcemate san neyegshr dca sondussonaatueansal cauaqursceseedea stay scnuthaksbsnanstusaveasts ANDRE-23. 30¢ 
ANEMONE (ah-NEM-oh-nee) 
Attractive perennials blooming in the spring, summer or autumn; fis come white 
rose, red and purplish. They thrive in a rich sandy loam, many in shade; they maka 
beautiful plants in the border and some in the RG. The florist species are A. coron- 
aria, fulgens and hortensis. These come in single and double fls and are grown mstly 
as fall or winter flowers. and grown much as are freesias; these are not real hardy. 
CORONARIA: Poppy-flowered Anemone. This is the popular florist Anemone. 
CHiN Single oiant MoOWwered Strali, (HCMC ri... anscanitise..tercnnennctrbiecestsesaveanesrsty ANEM-10C. 20¢ 
Seed list continued on page six 
PIONEER SEED COMPANY DIMONDALE MICHIGAN 
