Flower 



I TAKE pleasure in offering my friends and customers the cream of all the Floral Novel- 

 ties and Specialties of recent introduction, selected from hundreds of varieties, as the best 



that grow. To these 1 devote the next ten pages of this catalogue. Everything listed has 

 been proven by careful test at Briar Crest, distinct additions to the flowers that can be grown 

 successfully from seed in this country. From page 72 to 77 will be found as fine a general list 

 of flower seeds, embracing everything really good, as can be found in any American cata- 

 logue. It is very gratifying to me to note that my trade in Flower Seeds has increased very 

 rapidly the last few years, and I give all the credit to the superior quality of seeds that I 

 make it au invariable rule to furnish my customers. Just at this time I think it would be 

 well to remind my friends that the Special Discount on Seeds in Packets, also applies to Flower 

 Seeds, (see second cover page of this Catalogue). In addition to this liberal discount, it has 

 always been my custom to add a few extra packets of choice seeds to every order; in this way 

 I distributed free to customers during the Winter and Spring of '97, 79,601 packets of flower 



seeds alone. This year I propose to do even better. 



NEW BRHNSHING HSTERS. 



A variety of Aster having peculiar and very valuable characteristics. The plant is a 

 strong grower, and its tendency to form numerous branches is very marked. The plant 

 continues to grow later in the season than any other varietv with which I am acquainted, 

 and blooms correspondingly late, thus giving its crop of flowers in late Autumn, a season 

 when there is always a scarcity of bloom. The flowers are borne on very long stems, 

 being four inches and more in diameter. The petals are broad, long and many of them 

 are more or less twisted and curled in such a manner as to give the blooms the appear- 

 ance of large, loose and graceful chrysanthemums. At a distance the resemblance is so 

 great that nearly everyone would so consider them. I offer this vear four separate colors. 



Pure White, Bright Crimson, Clear Pink, Lavender Blue. 

 Any of the above named Kew Brauchlug Asters : Packet, 10 cents; 3 packets 

 85 cents, or I will send one packet each of the ♦ varieties for only 30 cents! 



MEW BRHNeHIMG aSTERS. ail colors, mixed. 



The 4 colors named above in one grand mixture. 



Packet. 10 cents; 3 packets. '25 cents. 



NEW jaPANESB 

 aSTER. 



A novelty of rare mer- 

 it. Entirely distinct and 

 novel. Plants of pyram- 

 idal growth, about 18 

 inches high, bearing on 

 long stems from 40 to 50 

 flowers, averaging five 

 inches across, composed 

 of wavy and twisted needle shaped pet- 

 als. Colors range thnough all shades of 

 pink, while some are nearly white, 

 others pale blue. A good cut flower. 

 Packet, 10 cts.; 3 ,ptt.<ekets, $25 cts. 



THE NEW Rav aSTERS. 



This new and original class of Asters is a valuable addition to -this import- 

 ant annual. They attain a height of about 20 inches; of branching habit and 

 bearing their large flowers on long, strong stems; the flowers measure from 

 ■i to 6 inches in diameter, and consist of ray-like, slender quilled florets re- 

 sembling the straiglit rayed Japanese Chrysanthemums; exceedingly pretty 

 and distinct. I offer these in 2 colors, viz.: Pare White and ISrlght Ro%«. 

 Klther color, packet, 10 cents; 3 packets, 85 cent». 



NEW 



JAPANESE 

 ASTER. 



New Ray Asters, Mixed, ^l^^^. 



Both the above colors in Mtxtut-e. 



ID cts.; 3 packets, ^5 cts. 



Sejw Heliotrope. Itemolne's Giant Hybrids. 



SPEeiaL 



OFFER. 



One packet 

 each of New 

 Branching 

 Aster, all 

 colors mixed, 

 New Japanese 

 Aster and New 

 Ray Asters, 

 mixed, for 

 25 cents. 



NEW HELIOTROPE. Lemolne's Giant Hybrids. 



No illustration can give an adequate idea of the immense size and rare beauty of 

 the flower-heads of this most wonderful new Heliotrope. They range through all 

 shades of violet and blue to deep indigo, frequently producing flower-heads almost 

 white, which are more than twice the size of the old varieties, many of the heads 

 measuring (when fully expanded) 10 to 12 inches across. The fragrance is simply 

 lovely, a few plants when in full bloom perfuming the air for considerable distance. 

 The foliage too is quite distinct, being larger and glossier than the old species and 

 the plant more robust, growing about 2 feet high. The seed germinates freely, and 

 if planted early will soon be in flower, continuing to bloom uninterruptedly all 

 Summer and Fall. Equally valuable for boxes in the house in Winter. 

 Packet, 10 cents; 3 packets, 85 cents. 



NEW BLaeK FOLiaGE HELIOTROPE. Midnight. 



This distinct and handsome Heliotrope is most appropriately named Midnight, 

 the stems being as black as ink, while the foliage is a beautiful bronzy green, so 

 dark, in fact, as to be almost black. The plant has a fine tree-like habit that is very 

 distinct, round and bushy, its lustrous foliage resembling thick crepe. The immense 

 heads of flowers are a rich shade of bluish purple, variegated with white and lighter 

 purple and extremely handsome. Like the Lemoine's Gianfc the seed germinates 

 freely, and desirable for outdoor culture in Summer or for window boxes in Winter. 

 Packet, 15 cents; 8 packets, 85 cents. 



One packet each of the 2 New Heliotropes. 



Lemoine's Giant Hybrids and Midnight. 



ONLY 20 CENTS, y 



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