20 
Ramona Giants-Super Dwarfs 
Many years breeding for the ideal 
pot plant Dwarf Giant Petunia, has 
developed this new blended strain 
which we believe has met the strict 
habit requirements of discriminating 
professional growers. Super-Dwarfs 
is a controlled blend of dark shades, 
orchid shades and bicolors in proper 
proportion to most market require- 
ments. 
Plant habit is extremely dwarf, 
more so than the regular Ramana 
Strain. The flowers are of giant size, 
excellent substance, ruffled but not 
fringed. 
All of the giant Petunias, including 
the doubles and heavily ruffled type 
are best as pot plants, in baskets or 
window boxes, etc. as the flowers are 
heavy. They are beautiful beyond 
description. 
Approximately 16,000 seed per oz. 
Large Packet 75¢; 1/16 Oz. $1.50. 
CELOSIA CRISTATA -COCKSCOMB 
Centaurea: Continued from page 20. 
a frost proof house. 
—austromontanus. Evergreen; fis blue; 8’, TP... 
—crassifolius. Shrub, fis white, 6’; very pretty lvs; TP . 29¢ 
—cyaneus. San Diego Lilac. Sh, dark blue fis; May-June; showy, 10’ c . 20¢ 
—integerrimus. Deer Brush. FIs white, 127s HIEIP oo vcccccccscccscsccsssscctsceses ae . 20¢ 
—pumilus. Prostrate sh; 8’; fils blue-white; Ore; HHP. - 40¢ 
—FOMPENTOSUS WOlIVACCUIN.  seecccerccsescconten at cntenescccasiacecautnrecetescerute ceaacceeom ares chee = . 20¢ 
—verrucosus. Low sh; covered with clouds of small fis; S. Cal... Reeeeen CEAN-50. 20¢ 
—prostratus. Mahala Mat. Prostrate, everg’n, blue to white; RG; HHP....CEAN-35. 40¢ 
CELOSIA. (se-LOH-shi-ah) Cockscomb, Chinese Woolflower. 
Popular annuals, all easily grown from seed which are best started indoors early in 
the sppring. They grow best in a rich soil with plenty of moisture. The garden types 
are C. argentea. 
CRISTATA or COCKSCOMB: 
Dwarf Varieties: About 4-8” tall with large showy combs; they are use mainly in beds 
OF e pots sa LAX 
——aureass Dark Poldente yellows COMMS meee teee eee emr nett teeerercnc tenet CLOS-2A. 20¢ 
—Empress. Dark velvety crimson-maroon combs; 12” ....CLOS-2E. 20¢ 
—President Thiers. Velvety crimson combs, green fol; ...CLOS-2T. 20¢ 
——MROsee Beauty. = S0Lt sLOSemCOLOGEd™ COMPS eat ce eet eee CLOS-2R. 20¢ 
TALL VARIETIES: Grows 2-3 feet tall and used for beds, cutting or the border. 
- 25¢ 
—Sersitfopelh, Jebatatayy Coeiuvalsyorsl, COM OSB tee eoccensncrodoaw once echcunieenriaereoene raion CLOS-3C. 15¢ 
—Royal Velvet. Rich carmine-crimson, bronze foliage reddish margins CLOS-3R. 154 
—Blend Tall Cockscombs. A DOVE = SOLUS rarameeseieee se oseaeevateneetecetet reeks ee eee, CLOS-3X. 15¢ 
GILBERT HYBRID COCKSCOMB: The Gilbert Strain is especially good for cutting, 
beds and as dried flowers, they hold their color very long. The colors are in extra 
good color combinations. 
—Green Gold. Ball-shaped heads, silvery green to flush rose, 30”’........ CLOS-5G. 25¢ 
—Harlequin. Pink, tipped gold changing to salmon; fie for pots; 18’’....... 
—Maple Gold. Ball-shape; pink tipped with gold; lvs green; 3’ 
—Rose Beauty. Large ball-shaped combs; 10-15” ac; rose-pink 3-4’ 
—Gilbert Blend. Above varieties equally Mixedoi ice ccccccessscessccescccssees 
PLUMOSA or FEATHERED CELOSIA: Tall feathery spikes in various colors; the 
plumes are very showy and excellent for both cutting or bedding. 
—Golden) Plume. Bright, (golden yello wom cites orcecereetesssecereecscottee eee ete CLOS-6G. 20¢ 
—Pride of Castle Gould. Large fluffy scarlet-crimson plumes, 3 ft. ...CLOS-6P. 20¢ 
—scarle! Plume. « BrillianteesCarlet ja tin@ysgo mel Gace spree reset eee CLOS-6S. 20¢ 
—Tango. Showy terra-cotta; fine contrast in beds, 3 ft 
—Fire Plume. Red foliage; fire-scarlet plumes; 3 ft... 
—Thompson magnifica, Mixed. Large bright flashy strain; 3 ft... 
—Triumph of the Exhibition, Mixed. Showy strain; 21/2 ft 
Yellow. Golden yellow plumes of above Strain... clccescceseeees 
—Fiery Feather. Dwarf Florist Strain. Bright scarlet, uniform, 1 ft. ; 
—Mixed.) Mixture (of? all them abOv em VaAlrieticSans cette ete eee CLOS-6X. 15¢ 
CELMISIA. (kla-MIS-ah) Compositae. 
Perennial plants of New Zealand and Australia; large solitary heads of pure white 
ray or disk flowers. Can be planted on the Pacific Coast. 
—ceriacea Monroii. Striking with silvery fol; lge white fis; 114’;HHP........ CELM-1. 50¢ 
—longifolia. Very hardy mt. daisy; white tipped pink; 6”; HP... CLEM-5. 50¢ 
CENTAUREA. (sen-tau-REE-ah) Compositae. 
Herbaeous annuals and perennials. There are many species, all of which have 
garden value, bloomjng from June to frost. Annuals are hardy; plant early. 
Cc. cyanus: The common garden kinds belong to this species. s,These are the common 
PIONEER SEED COMPANY — DIMONDALE MICHIGAN 
(A READERS COWUAN, 
GRINDELIA SQUARROSA 
Seed were sown April 4, 1947, germinated 
readily, plants made rapid growth but failed 
to bloom that year. 
In early June 1948 the plants were 24” high 
with a six inch spread and were literally 
smothered with small yellow rayed flowers 
which were very attractive, lasting well when 
cut. Bloomed continously from early June 
till September. ; 
Britton and Brown give it a western range 
the common Name there is “sticky heads’, 
as entire plant is sticky to touch. Self-seeds 
readily, young plants living thru the winter. 
By Mrs. J. Robert Chrismon, N. C. 
(Editor Note: Articles similiar to this 
are especially of interest as they give the 
actual experience of the grower. What ex- 
perience did you have with a new plant?) 
USING VERMICULITE IN PENN 
I used seven pound bags of Vermiculite 
last year for hybrid rose seed which was good 
for indoors but not for outside. Pelting 
rains pack it and also if put on the soil sur- 
face after transplanting, it will shed the water 
like a duck’s back as any flacked mineral 
would do. 
I have this past winter, stored my seperate 
crosses (pods and hips) in sphagnum and they 
came thru fine and the immature pods ripen- 
ed in cave (in sphagnum) without rotting. 
I now remove my seedlings (rose) as soon 
as visible when stored food is not yet spent 
and have 100% success if shaded properly. ‘' 
like your paper very much. Jos. F. Reiss, Pa. 
METHOD IN GERMINATING BEGONIAS 
Make a small flat from window screen, 
galvanized preferred, by cutting in diagonally 
oneinch from the corners of a square of 
the screen and folding up the cut edges 
to form sides. Place a thin layer of course 
Vermiculite in the bottom and over it place a 
thin layer of a finely screened mixture of peat 
and Vermiculite. Sit in a pan of water to 
become moistened. Sow seed and place the 
seed pan in a covered casserole (or pan to 
be covered with glass) add a few drops of 
water to the casserole. Before covering with 
the lid BE SURE to wipe it with bleach, for- 
malin or some other good disinfectant used 
FULL STRENGHT. This prevents any 
danger of damping off. After seeds germin- 
ate you can remove the cover. Do not at 
any time expose seedlings to direct sunlight. 
For heat I use a 25 watt light bulb in 
a pail or tin of the same diameter as the cass- 
erole. This supplies the bottom heat and 
the casserole provides a self watering de- 
vice. Transplanting may be done easily by 
setting the flat in a saucer of water. 
By Mary M. Elgood.. 
COVERING BEDS WITH GRAVEL. 
There are many alpine plants that will 
respond wonderfully to a covering of gravel 
or small stones on the soil in which they are 
growing. A layer of half or an inch will do. 
Such plants as Dianthus freyerii, D. neglect- 
us, D. simulans, the Genistas, Geraniums, 
mossy Phloxes, most dwarf Campanulas, 
Erinus, Hypericums and Acanthollimons. 
We use a fine gravel and a covering of half 
inch will prevent weed growth, an added in- 
ducement. 
