increasing popularity in the central and northern states. This 
popularity is largely due to the fact that most of the English 
varieties bloom well in advance of the really “big”? mums 
seen in the florists’ windows each fall. Consequently, in local- 
ities where the real large mums cannot be grown outside 
(without considerable protection) the English strain will 
often mature blooms, and while these blooms are not quite 
as large as the “exhibition” or “football” types they do 
afford fairly large blooms in localities where the truly “big” 
mums ean not be grown outside. That I think is the principal 
reason for their popularity, as in the far south (where exhi- 
bition varieties can be grown outside) the English varieties 
are not nearly so popular. I know because I ship mum plants 
all over the United States, and I do not ship nearly as many 
to the extreme southern tier of states as farther north. 
However, since they do fill a distinct need in certain sections 
where earliness is important, I imagine I will add a few 
from time to time and likewise drop a few. For reasons stated 
I am not overly fond of them and will never let them replace 
the old tried and true varieties—such as the Turners, Fricks, 
etc. Another reason against them—for some reason I have 
never been able to figure out there is a swarm of new 
varieties introduced each year now by different growers, and 
with a complete disregard of logic they have been given the 
Same names as our old standard varieties. For instance there 
is an English Quaker Maid (red) which I won’t list as every- 
one knows the real Quaker Maid is an early white standard. 
Similarly, there are scores of duplication of names, and I 
won’t clutter my catalogue up with duplicate names—it is 
hard enough now to keep varieties separate. I wrote and 
asked one grower about the duplication of names and he said 
he guessed the English just didn’t know any better, but 
those were the names he bought them under in England. 
Anyway, you know how I feel about the duplication of 
names. 
Anyway, the past season I grew a few more English and 
must admit that they surprised me—pleasantly so too. While 
none came up to the Exhibitions, a number were unusually 
nice—particularly in color combinations, and I grudgingly 
conceded they were on a par with the ordinary standard 
varieties. Consequently I am growing a few more English 
varieties this year, and if they continue to turn in as good 
a performance as they did last year I will probably add 
materially to my English varieties. 
WARRANTY 
During my over 15 years experience in dealing with the 
public I have found only rare instances of dishonesty— 
practically all people who grow flowers are scrupulously 
honest, but in order to protect myself in these rare instances 
I wish it distinctly understood that I give no warranty 
expressed or implied, as to description, quality or productive- 
ness of any plants I send out. 
With the above explanation and under the conditions 
stated, I am offering limited quantities of the mum varieties 
listed within. 
PAS SPIVEY 
P. O. Box 574, Montgomery, Alabama 
P.S.—As a personal favor to me, after you have signed 
your name, PLEASE print your name immediately under- 
neath the written signature. I have lost far too much religion 
trying to figure out people’s names, and I am sure you will 
agree that no one has any religion to lose. 
P.P.S.—I have received a world of comment on the above 
postscript, but I still stick to my guns that nothing makes 
me lose my religion quicker than trying to figure out a half- 
legible signature. I guess I will never know why a person 
