WM. E^LLIOTT 6 SONS' 
Seed Annual for 1902 
AN EXHAUSTIVE TREATISE ON WHAT TO BUY, 
AND HOW TO GROW VEGETABLE, FLOWER AND FARM SEEDS 
Novelties and Specialties in FLOWER SEEDS 
New Star Petunias. 
These New Star Petunias are without doubt the most beautiful Petunias in the world. They are the results of over twenty years' 
careful selection, cross-fertilization and breeding, and for richness of color, beautiful markings, pleasing form of the flowers, cannot be 
surpassed. The flowers are about 2% inches in diameter ; their ground color is a dark crimson-maroon, with a rich, velvety texture, 
justly pronounced equal to that of a pansy. Showing through the ground color are violet veinings. From the center starts the points of 
a five-rayed star, which broadens half way up, narrowing to a point at the margin of the flower. This star is a very light blush pink, some 
almost white, which deepens in color as it reaches the margin, and finally blends with the maroon ground color. Over 80 per cent of the 
plants from seed will produce the star markings. Others with veined and feathery markings on dark or light ground are not less surpris- 
ingly beautiful. The plants are free growers, branching freely and attaining an average height of 18 inches, with a spread of 24 inches. 
They are remarkably prolific bloomers, single plants often having one hundred or more fully expanded flowers at a time. Pkt. 25 cts. 
(See colored plate.) 
New Pink, Brilliant Violet. 
Indian Pinks have been great favorites for many years, being of easy culture and graceful bloomers with very little attention ; but so 
far they could not boast of any bright colors besides red, white and salmon. Brilliant \'iolet will therefore be looked upon as a great 
achievement. The plants are of elegant growth and covered with slightly fringed brilliant violet fiowers. This grand novelty should 
certainly have a place in every garden. Pkt. 25 cts. (See colored plate.) 
Single Poppy, Miss Sherwood. 
Sturdy plants 2}^ feet high, with noble foliage, bearing in pro- 
fusion large, single flowers of a shining satiny white, the upper half of 
the corolla being a silky chamois rose. This is a combination of 
color quite virginal in its delicacy, and we are convinced that this 
beautiful Poppy, which comes quite true from seed, will be found one 
of the finest of single-blooming varieties, more especially as a cut- 
flower, and quickly meet with the appreciation it deserves. Pkt. loc. 
The Weather Plant, .^^'^l 
(ABRUS 
RIUS.) 
This handsome climber, which is also known as the "Prayer 
Bean" and "Crab's Eye Vine" is of more than ordinary interest. 
The flowers are butterfly-shaped and of a pleasing shade of lavender. 
It is remarkable for its small egg-shaped seeds, which are of brilliant 
scarlet with black spots. Owing to the hardness of the seeds they are 
much used for necklaces and other ornamental purposes, and under 
the name of " Rati " are employed in some parts of India as the stand- 
ard of weight. It is a matter of record that the weight of the cele- 
brated Koh-i-noor diamond was first determined by the aid of the seeds 
of this peculiar plant. The specific name is Precatorius, meaning 
prayer, the seeds being used for rosaries by the Buddhists. It is also 
claimed that the state of the weather may be told for some time in ad- 
vance, by the position the leaves assume. Thoroughly soak the seeds 
in lukewarm water before sowing, and grow in a sunny window ; 
after all danger of frost is over the plants may be set out in any warm 
location in the garden. Pkt. jo cts. 
Poppy, Miss Sherwood. 
