POU THte SOUTHERN Sl-'AT^ES. 



101 



FLOWER SEEDS. 



The following- list of Flower seeds is not very large, but it contains all which is 

 desirable and which will do well in the Southern climate. I import them from one 

 of the most celebrated growers in Prussia, and they are of the best quality. There 

 are very few or no flower seeds raised in this country, and Northern houses, which 

 publish large lists and catalogues, get them from just the same sources as myself; 

 but they, on an average, sell much higher than I do. Some varieties, which are 

 bi-en uial in Europe or North, flower here the first season ; in fact, if they do not, they 

 generally do not flower at all, as they usually are destroyed by the continued long 

 heat of summer. Some kinds grow quicker here and come to a greater perfection 

 than in a more Northern latitude. 



Flower seeds require a little more care in sowing than vegetable seeds. The 

 ground should be well pulverized and light enough not to bake after a rain. Some 

 of the more delicate and finer varieties are better sown in boxes or seed pans, 

 where they can be better handled and protected from hard rains or cold weather ; 

 the other kinds do not transplant well, and are better sowm at once where they are 

 to remain, or a few seeds may be sown in small pots to facilitate transplanting into 

 the garden without disturbing the plants, when large enough. Some have very 

 fine seeds, which the mere pressing of the hand or spade to the soil will cover ; others 

 may be covered one-fourth of an inch, according to their size. Watering should be 

 done carefully, and if not done with a syringe, a watering pot, where the holes of 

 the spout are very fine, should be used. 



By setting the plants out, or sowing the seeds in the border, consideration 

 should be taken of the height, so that the taller varieties may be in the middle and 

 the dwarf kinds on the edge of the bed. 



The seeds are put up at ten cents a package, fifteen packages for one dollar, 

 except a few rare or costly kinds, where the price is noted. All flow^er seeds in 

 packages are mailed free of postage to the purchaser. Where there is more than 

 one color, I generally import them mixed, as I find that most of my customers do 

 not wish to purchase six packages, or more, of one variety, in order to get all the 

 colors. One package of Asters, Zinnia, Phlox, Chinese Pink, German Stocks, 

 Petunia, Portulaca, and others, will always contain an equal mixture of the best 

 colors. 



Altliesi R»sea. Hollyhock. This 

 flower has been much improved of late 

 years, and is very easily cultivated. Can 

 be sown from October till April. Very 

 hardy ; from four to six feet high. 



Alyssiiisft msii'itiiniiin. gweet 

 Alyssam. Very free flowering plants, 

 about six inches high, with white 

 flowers ; very fragrant. Sow from Octo- 

 ber till April. 



AaatiiJiinuiifi niajii§. Snapdragon. 

 Choice mixed. Showy plant of various 

 colors. About two feet high. Should be 

 sown early, if perfect flowers are desired. 

 Sow from October till March. 



Astei*. Queen Margaret. German 

 Quilled. Perfect double quilled flower. 



of all shades, from white to dark purple 

 and crimson. One and a half feet high. 



Aster. Trufaut's Pseony-Flowered 

 Perfection. Large double peeony-shaped 

 flow^ers, of fine mixed colors ; one of the 

 best varieties. Two feet high ; sow from 

 December till March. Asters should be 

 sown in a box or in pots, and kept in a 

 green-house, or near a window ; when 

 large enough, transplant into the border. 

 Take a shovel of compost and mix with 

 the ground before planting. Put three 

 to four plants together and they will 

 show better. They can be cultivated in 

 pots. " 



Adonis autumnalis. Flos Adonis 

 or Pheasant's Eye. Showy crimson 



