uomE 



Fiir- 



meht 



A Border of Pink Geraniums Edged with Sweet Alyssum 



We give close attention to this department, whicli is probably the largest in quantity and variety in this country, nearly one thousand 

 species and varieties being ofiered. ; 



Our Flower seeds have a world-wide reputation, and we grow and save on our own grounds at Riverton more varieties than any 

 other American Seedsman. Our constant aim is tdsecure the very best strains obtainable, and spare no pains or expense with this object 

 in view. Our strains of Asters, Carnations, Petunia, Verbena, Zinnia, etc., are grown by the leading private gardeners and commercial 

 florists, and are acknowledged to be superior in all respects. 



SUCCESS WITH FLOWER SEEDS 



We are convinced that many of the failures with flower seeds are due to lack of proper conditions, and while it would be impossible 

 in the space at our disposal in this catalogue to give explicit directions for each and every variety which we offer (but which is given on 

 each packet of flower seeds we sell), we feel sure that if the general directions given below are followed success will be the rule. These 

 directions, we may say, are written for the latitude of Philadelphia. Customers living in other sections can readily adapt them to their 

 localities. 



For all flower seeds which should be started indoors, and this includes many of our best and brightest summer flowers, such as Helio- 

 trope, Celosia, Lobelia, Salvia, Vinca, Verbeiias,' etc., Jihejbest plan is to sow in earthenware seed pans or boxes (about 2 inches deep), 

 which should be filled to the depth of an inch with b'rolcen pots, coal ashes, or any rough material that will furnish perfect drainage. The 

 upper inch should be nicely sifted soil, composed, if possible, of about one-third each of sand, leaf mould and light garden loam. Press 

 firmly and evenly and water thoroughly the day before sowing. Sow the seeds thinly over the surface, cover about one-eighth of an inch 

 and pressing firmly; cover with a pane of glass and one or two thicknesses of newspaper to prevent the too rapid evaporation of the 

 moisture and keep in a temperature between 60° and 70°. Water carefully as needed. The importance of uniform attention to this detail 

 is one that can only be learned by experience and observation. To omit a single watering, or too frequent, indiscriminate watering, usually 

 leads to failure. Remove the glass, or covering, as soon as the seeds have germinated, and when the seedlings are large enough to handle, 

 they should be transplanted into similarly prepared boxes an inch apart each way, or put into small pots and kept in same until time to 

 p'a'^t out in the open ground. At all times they should have an abundance of air, otherwise the young seedlings are liable to "damp off." 



For most of the ordinary annual flowers, such as Sweet Alyssum, 

 Calliopsis, Calendula, Marigold, Mignonette, Nasturtium, etc., 

 the simplest method is to sow directly out of doors when danger 

 of frost is past in the space where they are intended to flower. 

 The ground should be dug and raked fine on the surface, sowing 

 the seeds evenly and thinly, either in lines or beds, covering not 

 over four times their size, and firming the soil over them. Should 

 they come up too thickly, as most of them are likely to do, thin 

 out so that the plants will stand from 4 to 12 inches apart accord- 

 ing to the variety. This plan is also adapted to many varieties 

 usually started indoors, including Asters, Verbenas, Celosias, 

 Stocks, Salvia, etc., but as a rule their germination is more certain 

 under glass, and as they begin to flower so much earlier when started 

 indoors, the extra trouble is well repaid for by their increased 

 blooming period. 



We will be pleased to send our customers on request a leaflet 

 containing the following valuable cultural hints: 



How to Grow Annuals, by Prof. L. H. Bailey. 



How to Grow Perennials from Seed, written expressly 

 for us by Wm. Falconer, of Pittsburgh. 



'W'S*^'^^'^ 



A Cold Frame with Lath Shade. A Good Place to Germinate 

 Flower Seeds in During the Summer 



The full worth of their money to all is the broad principle in which we always deal, and we refer to 

 our reputation as evidence that we live up to the precept (51) 



