PETER HENDERSON & CO.— INTRODUCTORY. 



OUR PRICES. — TTe invite comparison of prices compared with condition of stock. If, for example, a Eose 

 is offered at 10 or 15 cents, it will be well to know whether such plants, nsnally a few inches high and of feeble 

 growth, are not much dearer than a vigorous plant six times the size, at 25 cents. The same rule applies to plants 

 of all kinds. "VTe give, however, usually a range of prices to suit the wants of all purchasers. 

 "WE SELL NO CLTTINGS. — Every season we are applied to for cuttings— we sell no cuttings, long' 

 experience having shown us that the plan is a bad one for both buyer and seller. 'O'hen cuttings are packed they 

 generate damp that is almost certain to destroy them before they would root ; and to us who sell it would really 

 be more troublesome to detach and pack cuttings than to send plants. To such as want small plants at low 

 rates, see Low-Priced List on page 119. 



THE BEST DOZEN. — From both amateur and professional cultivators, we have complaints that every- 

 where the practice is to grow too many varieties of Plants, so that the selection of the " best " from catalogues is 

 impossible, even by those best qualified to do so ; to help such, we have this season selected what, in our judg- 

 ment, are the 12 "best and most distinct" kinds, whether new or old— for many of the sorts of ten and even 

 twentv vears ago are yet unequaled. " The best Dozen " embraces Mor^thly and Hybrid Perpetual EosES, 

 Double and Siiujle GrEEAXiois, Terbesas, Fuchsias, Carnations, Large Flowering and Bouquet Dahlias, 

 Large and Small Flowering CHHTSANTHEiiuiis, Ca.vnas, Crotons, Fancy Caladiums, Coleus, Lantanas, 

 Ferns, etc. For descriptions, see Plant Department of this Catalogue. 



ROSES. — The popularity that Eoses have attained during the past ten years, has induced propagators in 

 flU parts of the world to vie with each other in producing improved sorts, so that now the variety and perfection 

 of form, color and fragrance is truly wonderful. Our aim in Eoses, as in all other plants, is to limit our collection 

 CO what are the most distinct and best kinds ; and by what we term our " Cold System " of culture, we feel satis- 

 fied that our plants will rarely fail to give satisfaction. In nearly all parts of the country the greater part of all 

 the Eoses sold are grown by the forcing process in hot greenhouses. Our plan is to store the plants we offer in 

 cold greenhouses during the winter and spring, so that when received by our customers they are in condition to 

 •rrow "with vigor. 



TREATMENT OF PLANTS WHEN RECEIVED.— when plants are sent by mail, nearly all the 

 soil is shaken off to lighten. If it is the season when they can be planted out doors, the ground should be first 

 well dug up and pulverized — the plants when set out should be well firmed about the root, copiously watered 

 once only when planted, shaded for two or three days when the sun is out ; no further wateilng should be done, 

 but a miilch of moss, manure or leaves around the roots would be beneficial. When received (by mail) at a 

 season when they cannot be put out, they should be placed at first in as small pots as possible, sparingly watered 

 until they show signs of new growth. If by express the plants are usually in such condition as to require a size 

 larger pot than they have been growing in. 



SOIL is not of so much importance as is usually supposed. When practicable, about three parts rotted sod 

 from any good pasture land is best, to one part well rotted manure, but when that cannot readily be obtained, the 

 sou immediately underneath the sod mixed with maniira wUl answer. 



DRAJNAGE. — when plants are first potted, or are cramped in small pots, there is no necessity for drainage ; 

 but as the practice with amateurs is almost universal to overpot plants, as a measure of safety, from one to two 

 inches of broken charcoal or potshreds should be placed in the bottom of all pots over six inches in diameter, and 

 what is even of more importance than this " crocking"— so called — is to have the plants set on a rough surface of 

 gravel or fine cinders, so that a free escape of water can take place. 



MOSS MLLCHI^G. — TMs is a new practice we began in 1880. It consists in mixing the common moss of 

 the swamps or woods with about one-twentieth of its bulk in bone dust. This is placed to the thickness of an 

 inch or two on the top of the pot. Plants so treated quickly show surprising health and vigor. During the season 

 of 1880 we used it on over a million of potted plants, embracing every species an variety we cultivate, with 

 results that we never before saw equaled. It cannot be too highly recommended, whetaerforthe humble amateur 

 growing a few window plants, the gardener with his full appointed greenhouses, or the florist who grows to sell — 

 to one and all we advise it, as it not only lessens labor, saving a re-potting of plants frequently for twelve months, 

 but the vigor of growth, and productiveness of flower and coloring of foliage is perfectly astonishing. 



