Our 50th Yar 
Back in 1902 the age of Americas’ development had just begun. Our modern age had 
not yet even been visualized by the most forward looking men in the way it has developed 
today. This was true in the horticultural profession as well as with science and mechanics 
although horticulture can easily be called a science. It was at this time that our firm had 
its foundation and we feel proud that we have been able to grow with the industry, 
developing many of the ‘“‘firsts” in our particular field. 
Our first commercial greenhouse was hardly larger than many home conservatories 
of today and the glass was obtained from the local photographer - old glass plates that 
had been used for portraits. These were cleaned and used in the roof of a greenhouse 
18x24 feet in area. From the start Pansies were a serious interest and these have remained a 
major specialty with us to this day and even now much development work is still in process. 
The year 1915 brought floods to our range of seven greenhouses in Central Illinois 
resulting in a complete change of direction in our work. Removal to West Plains, Mo. 
and concentration on Pansy breeding brought this subject into sharper focus and much 
development resulted from work done at that location. However, by 1923 it had become 
apparent that seed production there was impractical because of the climate so a three 
year search was started for a suitable location for seed growing. More than 40,000 miles 
of travel resulted in the selection of Oregon as the best combination of conditions for 
the continuation of our work. 
A seed farm was established in 1925 on an experimental basis at Reedville, Oregon, 
but after two years was discontinued in favor of the present Grants Pass location in 1927. 
This has been our headquarters since that time although our interests have greatly 
expanded into other subjects and our Pansy developments have been many. Now we do a 
great deal of our growing in scattered localities from Northern Oregon to Central Calif. 
Our founder, C. W. Harrold, is still active at 80 and remains in charge of our growing 
and development work. He is the oldest active Pansy Specialist in the United States today 
both in point of years and time of activity in this field and it has been to his efforts that 
many new developments in Pansies may be credited. The first strain of Pansies developed 
for strictly cut-flower production originated from our gardens back in the 20’s. We originat- 
ed the first pot culture Pansies for pot and window box culture at about the same time. 
Many of our developments, however, have been in the production phase and have not 
been apparent to the gardener and Florist because they were not so visual. Among these 
developments have been harvesting and milling methods which have greatly increased the 
viability of our seeds, making them store better and give higher production when planted. 
In the beginning few Pansy seeds would produce more than five to seven thousand plants 
to an ounce and usually an ounce contained around 25,000 seeds. Improved culture, larger 
seeded varieties and advanced breeding has resulted in the reduction of the number of 
seeds to the ounce to about 21,000 but average production has increased to ten or twelve 
thousand plants under good culture. 
Much inmprovement has occured in flower size and texture as well as coloring and plant 
habit since 1902. Then flowers of 11 to 2 inches was large compared to many flowers of 
4 inches or more today with equally good culture. Plant habit has been developed toward 
a more upright growing less leggy form and the flower stems are much longer and lend 
themselves to use in bouquets. Possibly as much utility of Pansies, however, has been the 
development of a hardiness that makes them easier of culture and useable in more situations 
in the garden. At the turn of the century Pansies were commonly grown as a shade or semi- 
shade plant. Modern strains, through progressive development now enjoy full sun and 
much prefer a mixture of sun and light shade. Blooming season has been much extended 
and with modern strains it is now possible to have Pansies in nice bloom all the year 
except for the freezing months and in the greenhouse even then it is possible. 
In presenting here our 50th seasons list of Harrold’s Pedigreed Strain Pansies we 
do so with the confidence of experience and the knowledge that they will give you much 
pleasure and beauty. We shall look forward to serving you this season. 
© 1952 HARROLD’S 
