A Borper oF PINK GERANIUMS EDGED WITH SWEET ALyYSSUM. 
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 brightest summer flowers, such as 
Heliotrope, Celosia, Lobelia, Salvia, 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 
se 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 
in boxes in the same manner as described above, or they may be 
Each. Dozen. sown out of doors in spring after the frost has gone and trans- 
Wess Fram 6 Woo okopor $0 20 $2 00 planted into their flowering position in early autumn or the fol- 
4 : ome 8 Wo O69 as 25 2 50 lowing spring. Many varieties Succeed best-sown in autumn, in 
12 inches wide by 16 inches 10 WN 6 GB No. 3 30 3 00 whichtease they should be sown in a cold-frame, transferring 
long, $1.00 each. 12in........ 35 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. 
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