PREFACE, 



In preparing the present edition of our Seed Catalogue, our desire 

 has been to give a selection of the most choice flowers, avoiding the long 

 list of names usually given in catalogues, a great part of which are of 

 no value in our climate ; whilst a still larger portion are nothing better 

 than weeds. A writer in that excellent paper, " The Garden," (Lon- 

 don,) makes some timely remarks on these long catalogues of names in 

 Europe. Perhaps some may consider them applicable to catalogues 

 found occasionally in our own country. The writer says : "I see several 

 species of orchid seed offered by the ounce in Germany as though they 

 were commonly grown, but they must be put in principally to swell the 

 catalogues, like many other things. What a marvellous publication is 

 the seed list of a great German firm ! I am sure there are more than 

 10,000 species and varieties in one I received lately. Where do they 

 all come from, and what becomes of them all ? Sixty distinct classes 

 of asters, and other florist flowers in like proportion ; 1,500 species of 

 hardy perennials, many of which I venture to say are not found in five 

 gardens in Europe, if in any. How many of these are worth growing, 

 even in the largest gardens, and how many of them represent nothing 

 but a name? These questions no one can answer, though they may 

 lead to some interesting reflections." 



Having been engaged over thirty years in growing and harvesting 

 seeds — flower and vegetable — we flatter ourselves we can safely select 

 the finest varieties, and such as cannot fail to please amateur culti- 

 vators, as it is very difficult for an inexperienced person to select from 

 the long lists usually given. Being extensively engaged in importing 

 and growing the new and rare plants and florist flowers, it will be 

 readily seen that our facilities for saving seed of the choicest descrip- 

 tion are unsurpassed ; the seeds are of a quality which growers alone 

 can offer. Whilst such articles as it is necessary to import are received 

 direct from the first growers in England, France and Germany. 



Please make out order for Seeds and Plants on separate sheets. 



This Catalogue annuls all former prices. 



