A Border of Pink Geraniums Edged with Sweet Alyssum. 



We give close attention to this department, which is probably the largest in quantity and variety in this country, over one 

 thousand species and varieties being offered. 



Our constant aim is to secure the very best strains obtainable, both of home and foreign growth, and we spare no pains or 

 expense with this object in view. Our strains of Asters, Carnations, Cineraria, Pansy, Petunia, Primula, Verbena, etc., are grown 

 by the leading private gardeners and commercial florists of the United States and Canada, 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 that 

 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 Ijrightest summer flowers, such as 

 Heliotrope, Celosia, Lobelia, Salvi:i, Vinca, Verbena, etc., the best plan is to sow in earthenware seed pans, house frame — see offer 

 at foot of page — or boxes (about 2 inches deep), which should be filled to the depth of an inch with broken 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 sand, leaf mould and light garden loam. Press firm and evenly, and water thoroughly the day before sowing. Sow 

 the seeds thinly over the surface, covering about one-eighth of an inch and pressing firmly; cover with a pane of glass or 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 after 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 plant 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, according to the variety. This plan is also adapted to many varieties 



usually started indoors, including Asters, Verbenas, Celosias, 

 Stocks, Salvia, etc., 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. 



The seeds of most Hardy Perennials may be sown at any time 



from January to October. Early sowing should be made indoors 



Square Seed Pans. in boxes in the same manner as described above, or they may be 



Each. Dozen, sown out of doors in siiring after the frost has gone and trans- 



House Frames. 



12 inches wide by 16 inches 

 long, $!1.00 each. 



6 in. 



8 in. 

 10 in. 

 12 in. 



.§0 20 

 . 25 

 . 30 

 . 35 



5'-^ 00 planted into their flowering position in early autumn or the fol- 



- 50 lowing spring. Many varieties succeed best sown in autumn, in 



3 00 -which case they should be sown in a cold-frame, transferring 



3 50 them to their permanent quarters the following spring. 



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. 



(55) 



