Hard start

First when the engine is stone cold remove the air cleaner and see if the accelerator pump is working by actuate the throttle over couple time and look for squirt of gas. No gas that's problem? Cold starting or other wise. I guess if it runs good after you get started and warmed up, doubt that the problem?
I don't know what ignition system you have? I would start with first checking points gap and condition? After that verified good, I would check timing and idle rpm usually around 700 after warmed up. Next I would verify the manual choke is closing all the way so when cranking it will suck gas down to the combustion chamber providing you accelerater pump working? I would also verify the choke opens all the way when pushed back in. I would Also check fast idle when the choke is pushed in little to alow the engine to idle smoothly.

Carb should have fuel in bowl for week or two IMO and the accelerator pump should be pumping fuel in to the manifold. the choke should be coking air off so fuel will get sucked down to combustion chamber. After that ignition should light the fuel, choke should be pushed in to allow air flow for fast idle warm up, after 3 mins or so choke should be pushed in and no longer needed.

IMO automatic choke are better if you have the set up right. But, most don't know how to set them up, some carb. are really hard to get right. My 410 mercury marauder had winter setting and summer setting which was adjusting the crack opening correctly for smooth cold start winter or summer. Manuals work the same, but you have to do the the crack gap for smooth fast idle. Lot of other factors on automatic choke but the end result was the same. Carters and quadrajets were harder cause you actually had to bend rods from the choke pull offs to get crack gap and fast idle right.