DREER'S 



Reliable ... 



FLOWER SEEDS. 



Success with Flower Seeds. 



l^ROVIDED the soil is in a proper slate, flower seeds may be sown in tlie open border in April, May and June. The seeds 

 * should be sown as soon as Uie soil becomes dry and easily crumbled, after the spring frosts have disappeared. They 

 may also be sown in prepared beds of light, rich soil, and transplanted into the garden. The former is the more simple method, 

 but not always as satisfactory. Tlie better plan is to sow all fine seeds under glass in a greenhouse, hot-bed, or in the house. As 

 to the depth to whicli seeds should be covered, the best general rule is to cover fine seeds very lightly, just enough to protect them 

 from the sun ; and in dry weather a sprinkling of damp moss is very useful. With very fine seeds it is best to sow on the surface, 

 and press then lightly into the soil. We are convinced that one of the most frequent causes of failure is in sowing the seeds too 

 deep, and seedsmen are unjustly censured, when the fault lies with the cultivator. 



For sowing seeds, shallow boxes 2 to 3 inches deep, and covered with a light of glass and with open seams at the bottom, so 

 that the water can drain through quickly, are best. (These we keep in stock all ready for use.) 

 The best soil is a mixture of equal parts of sand, leaf-mold, and light, rich garden loam, which should 

 be thoroughly mixed and passed through a coarse sieve ; then fill your pots, pans, or boxes within 

 half an inch of the rim ; press the soil firmly and evenly. If the soil is dry, it is best to water 

 freely a day or two before sowing the seed, to enable the surplus water to drain off. After they are 

 sown cover slightly with fine soil ; carefully water with a fine rose or spray. When they are designed 

 to be grown in the house, the temperature should be as near 60 degrees as possible ; place them in 

 a light window facing south or east. 



The importance of uniform attention to watering may be best learned by experience and obser- 

 vation, but the inexperienced cultivator may be reminded that to omit a single watering and allow 

 the young plant-germs from seed to remain in a parched state, or a too frequent indiscriminate water- 

 ing, usually leads to the eventful loss of the whole. 



As soon as the plants are large enough to handle, prick them into other boxes or pots, placing 

 them about 1 inch apart each M'ay ; they must be shaded for a few days from the sun, until thcv 

 are established. When large enough they can be potted in small pots, and kept until the proper 

 season for planting in the garden. 



House Frames. 

 No. 1, IJxlO ins., 75 cts. t.-ich. 



Vc 01dc=Fashion^d Garden. 



The flowers that were favorites in the gardens of a century ago are again coming into favor — and how beautiful many of them 

 are! Many free-flowering, sturdy Annuals and Perennials have been pushed out of cultivation by the rage for stiff, formal beds 

 and borders. 



To encourage the growing taste for a more natural style of gardening, we offer below a collection each of Annuals or such 

 varieties as will flower the first senson from seed, and of Hardy Perennials which do not flower before the second season, but 

 which, when once planted, are jiermanent. 



Collection of Old-fashioned Annuals. — Containing a (lacket each of Com-FIower, Flora's Paint r>rush. Four 

 O'Clocks, Love in a Mist, Larkspur, Mignonette, Pot Marigold, Poppy, Snapdragon, Sweet Scabious, Sweet Sultan and Youth and 

 Old Age. 12 varieties in all for 50 cts. 



Collection of Old-fashioned Perennials. Containing a packet each of Baby's Breath,CanterburyBell|, Columbine, 

 Coreopsis, Cowslip, Forget-Me-Not, Foxglove, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Pinks, Sweet Rocket and Sweet William. KJ varieties in 

 all for 50 cts. 



Dreer's Collections of Choice Flower Seeds. 



- These veiy attractive collections are composed of the best-known and most popular flower seeds, that will produce in succession 

 a fine display of flowers from early summer until frost. 



No. 1. Collection of 12 choice Flower Seeds, 50 cts. I 2fo. 3. Collection of 24 choice Flower Seeds, $1.00. 



I^To. 2. Collection of 18 choice Flower Seeds, 75 cts. | No. 4. Collection of 30 choice Flower Seeds, $1.25. 



Imported Collections of Asters, Balsams, Dianthus, Hollyhock, Larkspur, Marigold, Phlox, Nasturtium, etc., etc., will 

 be found offered under their respective heads. 



The full worth of their money to all is the broad principle in which we alwitys deal, and we refer to our reputation as 



evidence that we live «ip to the precept. 



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