14 ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



with vigorous ones from the nursery bed. Tall flowering 

 plants must be supported by neat poles or rods ; and all 

 dead stalks and leaves from decayed flowers must be fre- 

 quently removed. 



In the summer season, all kinds of insects must be timely 

 destroyed, and in the evenings of warm days, the flowers 

 will require frequent watering. 



INTRODUCTION TO THE CATALOGUE OF 



ANNUAL FLOWER SEEDS. 



To raise your flowers, various arts combine ; 

 Study these well, and fancy's flight decline, 

 if you would have a vivid, vigorous breed, 

 Of every kind, examine well the seed: 

 Learn to what Elements your plants belong, 

 What is their constitution, weak or strong ; 

 Be their physician, careful of their lives, 

 And see that every species daily thrives ; 

 These love much Air, these on much Heat rely; 

 These without genial Moisture, droop and die. 

 Supply the wants of each, and they will pay 

 For all your care through each succeeding day. 



With a view to render this work more generally interest- 

 ing, a classification and definition of the various species and 

 varieties embraced in the annexed Catalogue, is attempted. 

 Precision, however, in the performance of this task is im- 

 practicable, as it must be conceded that the vegetable fa- 

 mily, having been collected from all the varied climates and 

 soils, will differ as to height, complexion, time of blossoming, 

 and in many other essential points, when cultivated out of 

 their natural Element. 



Some seeds germinate in two or three days after being 

 deposited in the earth ; other species will not exhibit signs 

 of vegetation under as many weeks. These and other dis- 

 tinguishing features arise, in a great measure, from their 

 having originated in diverse soils and climates. Natives 



