DREER'S RELIABLE 



FLOWER 



SEED5 



....Success with Flower Seeds.... 



PROVIDED the soil is in a proper state, flower seeds may be sown in the open 

 border in April, May and June. The seeds should be sown as soon as the 

 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. The 

 better plan is to sow all fine seeds under glass in a greenhouse, houbed, or in the 

 house. As to the depth to which 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 ou 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 sur- 

 plus 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 po-^sible ; place them in a light window facing south or east. 



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

 servation, but the inexperienced cultivator maybe 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 indiscrimi- 

 nate watering, 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 way; they must be shaded for a few days from the sun, until they 

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

 season for planting in the garden. 



y<? Old^^Fdshion^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 ! Lots of free-flowering, sturdy Annuals and Perennials 

 have been pushed out of cultivation by the rage for stiflf, formal beds and borders. 



To encourage the growing taste for a more natural style of gardening, we offer below a col- 

 lection each of Annuals or such varieties as will flower the first stason from seed, and of Hardy 

 Perennials which do not flower before the second season, but which when once planted are per- 

 manent. 



Collection of Old-fashioned Annuals.^Containing a packet each of Com- 

 Flower, Flora's Paint Brush, Four O'Clocks, Love in a Mist, Larkspur, Mignonette, Pot Mari- 

 gold, 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, Canterbury Bells, Columbine, Coreopsis, Cowslip, Forget-Me-Not, Foxglove, Hollyhock, 

 Larkspur, Pinks, Sweet Rocket and Sweet William. 12 varieties in all for 50 cts. 



Dreer's Collections of Choice Flower Seeds, 



very attractive cMleclions are composed of the best-known and most popular 

 s, that will produce in succession a fine display of flowers from early summer 



No. 1. Collection of 12 choice 

 Flower Seeds, 50 cts. 



ISo. 2. Collection of 18 choice 

 Flower Seeds, 75 cts. 



No. 3. Collection of 24 choice 

 Flower Seeds, SI. 00. 



No. 4. Collection of 30 choice 

 Flower Seeds, §1.25. 



Imported Collections of 



Asters, Balsams, Dianthus, Holly- 

 hock, Larkspur, Marigold, Phlox, 

 Nasturtium, etc., etc., will be found 

 offered under their respective 

 heads. 



The full wortU 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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