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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,” (London,) makes some timely remarks on these long cata- 
logues of names in Europe. 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 peren- 
nials, 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 cultivators, as it is very difficult for an inex- 
perienced 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 description 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. 
