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 
hist 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. 
This Catalogue annuls all former prices. 
