CULTIVATION. 



Flowering plants are from various parts of the "world, temperate and tropical, and their 

 habits are as various. Some are found on mountains, others in rich moist valleys, and again on 

 arid plains. It follows that their treatment must be very dissimilar, and that it is not in the 

 province of a catalogue to give any lengthened cultural directions. We will only offer a few 

 general remarks on seed sowing. 



In this latitute (Washington) nearly all the Hardy Annuals can be sown in April — say from 

 first to middle — considering the season and the condition of the ground; whilst the more tender 

 varieties — natives of warmer climates — should not be committed to the ground before the middle 

 of May. Such tender plants as Double Zinnias, Clianlhus, Dampierii, Cypress Vine, etc., 

 should not be sown before the latter season, as they are natives of warm climates; and when 

 sown early, and the ground is cold, they frequently perish. When this occurs, the blame is, of 

 course, placed on the seedsman; when, had they been sown in proper season, success would 

 be certain. 



Hardy Perennials — The common and large-seeded kinds may be sown in the open 

 borders any time in April, but the rare and more delicate species will succeed with greater 

 certainty if raised in a closed frame, with or without bottom heat. Thus treated, nearly all will 

 flower the first season if sown early and planted out the early part of May. All those with 

 very small seeds should be sown under glass. Amateurs will do well to bear in mind ^that 

 though many Perennial seeds vegetate as quickly as those of Annuals, there are some others 

 which usually remain dormant for weeks and even months. -To this class belong the Cyclamens, 

 Paaonies, Fraxinella, etc. Our native Perennials are best sown in autumn, or as soon as 

 gathered, and they will then vegetate the following spring. As this is not always practicable, 

 the plan of steeping the seeds before sowing, for twenty -four hours, may be adopted with great 

 advantage in many cases. Half-hardy Perennials require the same treatment as hardy 

 Perennials, differing only in their need of winter protection. 



Green-house and hot-house seeds need a moist, warm temperature, such as the propagating- 

 house or hot-bed frame. All seeds sown in frames or houses require shading, in bright weather, 

 during the middle of the day, especially as spring advances. For all seeds sown in pots, under 

 glass, a compost composed of well decomposed leaf mould, sand and sandy loem, will answer 

 very well. Sow very thinly; cover the seeds with about their own thickness of soil. After 

 germination has once commenced, the surface of the soil should en no account be allowed to 

 become dry. Very small seeds, such as Mimulus, Lobelia, Calceolaria, etc., should not be 

 covered with" soil, but be sprinkled thinly on the soil, which should be previously watered from 

 a fine rose. Chinese Primula germinates best when covered with a layer of damp moss. This 

 seed often fails to grow from being too deeply covered with soil, and many other failures are 

 attributable to the same cause. 



A writer in The "Garden London, "makes the following remarks on the germination of seeds: 

 "I have, at the present time, two kinds of shrub seeds just appearing above ground, that have 

 been sown, as nearly as possible, two years. In the ordinary course of affairs, many people, not 

 understanding their nature, would have thrown them away at least eighteen months ago and 

 blamed their seedsman for sending them bad seeds. Primula Japonica, if kept till spring, or 

 until it has become thoroughly dry, will not germinate for at least a year, and some times two; 

 and the same holds good in the case of many hardy plants " 



ALL FLOWER SEEDS SENT BY MAIL, POSTAGE FREE. 



For the convenience of persons unacquainted with plants, we have, for some years, put up 

 the following collections, which are varied to suit different latitudes; among, which are seeds of 

 our own finest strain, which cannot be excelled. They have invariably given the greatest 

 satisfaction. 



COLLECTIONS OF FLOWER SEEDS, 



too packages choice Annuals, Biennials and Perennials, including many new and rare 



varieties $4 00 



50 do do do do do 2 00 



25 do do do do do 1 00 



12 do do do do do 50 



The varieties contained in the above collection are invariably our own selection. Purchasers 



preferring to make their selection will be allowed a liberal discount in proportion to their order. 



INDUCEMENTS TO PURCHASERS. 



Purchasers remitting $1.00 may select Flower Seeds at Catalogue prices amounting to ..ifi 20 



do do 2.00 do do do 2 50 



do do 3.00 do do do 3 75 



do do 4.00 do do do 5 00 



do do 5.00 do do do 6 25 



do do 10.00 do do do 14 00 



These discounts are allowed on Flower Seeds only— not on Vegetables, Plants, etc. 



