It is with great satisfaction that we now present to our friends the present edition of our Cata- 

 logue, enlarged by important additions, and accompanied with what we believe to be such useful 

 mformation that we can well claim for it the name of the "Amateur Cultivator's Guide to the 

 Flower and Vegetable Garden." For it has been our endeavor to make it reliable in every respect, 

 not only in the descriptions of the great number of flowers and vegetables which are enumerated on 

 its pages, but equally so in the full and complete practical directions for the successful growth of 

 evei7 variety. 



The arrangement, though different from our last edition, is not new, having been adopted by 

 eminent foreign dealers. To many it may not be very important, but to the mass of our customers 

 we think it will commend itself as highly useful. All flowers and plants are divided into natural 

 groups, and to know the character of one of these groups gives an idea of the whole. The Aster and 

 the Coreopsis are familiar to almost every cultivator ; and, when it is known that these belong to the 

 composite order {Composites), it will at once be understood that any unknown plant belonging to this 

 order resembles, in some respects, the above flowers. It is to convey this general information that 

 we think the addition of the natural order is highly important. 



The character of every plant, whether annual, biennial, perennial, for the greenhouse, or 

 whether hardy or half-hardy, is stated ; and, with our prefatory remarks upon the culture of each, 

 there can be no difficulty in their successful growth. In addition to this information, our remarks 

 on laying out flower-gardens will, we hope, not only prove a valuable aid to amateurs, but assist in 

 disseminating a true taste for gardening art. 



As specialities, we refer particularly to the very extensive list of NOVELTIES, many of them of 

 rai-e merit, and difficult to obtain. Other specialities are our choice selection of French and German 

 flower-seeds, particularly Double Asters, German Stocks, English Double Hollyhocks, Camellia- 

 flowered Balsams, Carnation and Picotee Pinks, Double Zinnias, Double Portulacas, &c. ; and of 

 greenhouse plants, the Cineraria, Calceolaria, Gloxinia, Pelargonium, Chinese Primrose, &c. Many 

 of these are of our own growth, and others are received direct from growers who produce their own 

 seed, and some of whom raise them expressly for us. In our collection of Gennan, French, and 

 English flower-seeds (p. 90), we feel especial pride ; for they contain all the truly beautiful varieties 

 obtained in Europe during the last ten years, all selected especially for us, and never surpassed, if 

 equalled. 



Our Vegetable Seeds are such as we can recommend with the greatest confidence ; and, though 

 we have not had the opportunity to test the latest additions, the dealers from whom they have 

 been obtained leave little doubt of their real value. In conclusion, we have to acknowledge our 

 indebtedness to various authorities for names, as well as occasional hints, and more particularly to 

 that valuable book. Burr's " Vegetables of America," to Buist's " Kitchen Garden," and to numer- 

 ous English catalogues. 



In consequence of the extent of our Catalogue, we have been compelled to omit the descrip- 

 tions of many new plants and flowers suitable for the garden. These will be enumerated in our 

 Spring Catalogue of Bedding Plants. 



Owing to the greatly increased expense of publishing a work so extensive as the present edition, 

 we are reluctantly obliged to make the nominal charge of twenty-five cents per copy, upon the 

 receipt of which it will be mailed to all applicants from any part of the United States or Canada. 



Address, 



WASHBURN & CO., 

 Horticultural Hall, Boston, Mass. 



Geo. C. Rand & Avery, Stereotypers and Printers, 

 No. 3, Cornhill, Boston. 



