This charming and widely varied class 

 of plants possesses a value and affords an 

 abiding interest and pleasure given by no 

 other. They are now rapidly regaining their 

 proper place in the estimation of discriminating flower lovers; after having been obscured for a time 

 by the passing craze for the gaudy and tender bedding plants used in ribbon beds. When once planted 

 they increase in strength and beauty each successive year, becoming thus a permanent investment. 

 Such great improvements have been made of late years in these plants that many of them can hardly 

 be recognized as the old-fashioned flowers of our youthful days. Their hardiness, ease of culture, 

 profusion and continuity of bloom, great beauty of both flower and foliage, combine to render 

 them the most satisfactory of all plants. They succeed admirably upon all sorts of soil and in any 

 situation that is not too greatly shaded. In preparing a bed or border for them, remember they are 

 heavy feeders and are to remain undisturbed for years; and therefore make the soil rich and deep. 

 Arrange the plants in clumps and masses, rather than in scattered specimens; placing the tall grown 

 varieties at the rear or centre of the beds, as the case may be, and the dwarf ones at the front. Apply 

 in Autumn a covering of manure; which fork under lightly in the Spring. I cannot too strongly urge 

 the planting of these delightful plants in the garden and lawn; indeed, the herbaceous border should be 

 an indispensable feature of even.' country' home. 



A landscape gardener of wide experience, in writing of Hardy Herbaceous Plants, says: "The 

 almost entire exclusion of the great wealth of hardy plants from American gardens in favor of a fe*v, 

 hardly a score of tender ones, has so impoverished them of all real beauty as to make them monoto- 

 nous. In almost every garden are seen the same stereotyped carpet and ribbon beds, mere lines of 

 color, that are unchanging during their season of four months as the patterns of carpets, and that perish 

 entirely with the first frost. The entire labor and expense is renewed the next season, and the annual 

 outlay is only limited by one's willingness or ability to pay." 



My collection is one of the finest in the country, from which I have selected the few general favorites 

 here offered. Those in need of a quantity of any variety will please write for special prices. All- here 

 offered will be sent by mail, if desired, at prices affixed for each a?id dozen at hundred rates by freight or 

 express at purchaser' s expense. The prices quoted are for good shipping plants. Prices for large, undi- 

 vided clumps will be given upon application, stating varieties and number of each desired. 



AQUILEGIA. Columbine. 



Glcoidulosa, Grigor's Hybrids. — The finest and 

 handsomest of all the Columbines, a rare and 

 beautiful species. These hybnds are wonderfully 

 effective in grace and beauty with their immense 

 long-spurred flowers of the richest blue imaginable, 

 surmounted by five short petals of pure white, deli- 

 cately marked with ultramarine, and hanging grace- 

 fully on tall stems. Splendid for the border or for 

 cutting, ard they succeed in any ordinary garden 

 soil. Late Spring and Summer. Each, loc. ; doz., 

 $1.50. 



ARABIS ALPINA. Rock Cress. 



A charming little rock plant of low and tufted 

 habit, covered with a mass of pure white, fragrant 

 flowers, borne in large heads, from early Spring to 

 midsummer; thrives in dry places. Each, 10c.; 

 doz., 11.00; 100, ^.00. 



Lancaster Co.. Pa., April 2, 1003. 



I received the box of plants by express vesterdav. and I am 

 very much pleased with them. ' Chas. Makinson. 



