GAKDEN- Mz^XlTAT, FOR THE SOUTHEIIX STATES. 



107 



few weeks are enough to render it so coarse 

 and hard that animals refuse it, or eat spar- 

 ingly. 



A few testimonials are here quoted to give 

 an idea of the productiveness and value of 

 this plant. In a letter published in the Rural 

 Carolinian for 1874, Mr. N. B. Moore, who had 

 for more than forty years grown crops, speaks 

 of this grass under the name of Guinea 

 grass : 



"My meadow consists of one hundred acres 

 of alluvial land near Augusta. * * * In 

 winter I employ but four men, who are 

 enough to work my packing press; in summer 

 when harvesting, double that number. In 

 autumn I usually -scarify both ways with 

 sharp, steel toothed harrows, and sow over the 

 stubble a peck of red clover per acre, which 

 with volunteer vetches, comes off about the 

 middle of May. The second yield of clover 

 is uniformly eaten up by grasshoppers. The 

 top roots then remain to fertilize the then 

 coming Guinea grass, which should be but 



from two or three feet high. * * * Qa 

 such land as mine it will afford three or four 

 cuttings, if the season is propitious. I use an 

 average of five tons of gypsum soon after 

 the first cutting, and about the same quan- 

 tity of the best commercial fertilizer, in 

 March and April. * * * Xhe grass which 

 is cut before noon, is put up with horse sulky 

 rakes, in cocks, before sundown." 



Mr. Moore's income from this field was 

 from seven to ten thousand dollars a jear. 



Note — Recognizingall the above, we would 

 say, that great care must be taken not to sow 

 this grass near cultivated lands. If done so, 

 it should not be allowed to go to seed, as the 

 wind will blow them off from the stalks, and 

 when it gets among cane or other crops it 

 causes a great deal of trouble. It is almost 

 impossible to get it out of the land. 



A great deal of trouble has been given 

 seedsmen for selling this grass (Johnson) we 

 therefore consider a purchaser acquainted 

 with what he is buying. 



FLOWER SEEDS. 



The following list of Flower seeds is not very large, but it contains all which is desirable and 

 which will do well in the Southern climate. We import them from one of the most celebrated 

 growers in Prussia, and they are of the best quality. There are very few or no flower seeds 

 raised in this country, and Northern houses, which publish large lists and catalogues, get them 

 from just the same source as ourselves; but they, on an average sell muc-h higher than we do. 

 Some varieties, which are biennial in Europe or North, flower here the first season; in fact, if 

 they do not they generally do not flower at all, as they usually are destroyed by the continued 

 long heat of summer. Some kinds .grow quicker here and come to a greater peifection than 

 in a more Northern latitude. 



Flower seeds require a little more care in sowing than the vegetable seeds. The ground 

 should be well pulverized and light enough not to bake after a rain. Some of the more delicate 

 and finer varieties are better sown in boxes or seed pans, where they can be better handled 

 and protected from hard rains or cold weather, the other kinds do not transplant well, and are 

 better sown at once where they are to remain, or a few seeds may be sown in small pots to 

 facilitate transplanting into .the garden without disturbing the plants, when large enough. 

 Some have very fine seeds, which the mere pressing df the hand or spade to the soil will cover; 

 others may be covered one-fourth of an inch, according to their size. Wntering should be 

 done carefully, and if not done with a syringe, a watering pot, where the holes of the spout 

 are very fi.ne, should be used. 



By setting the plants out, or sowing the seeds in the border, consideration should be 

 taken of the height, so that the taller varieties may be in the^uiddle and the dwarf kinds on 

 the edge of the bed. 



The seeds are put up in 5c. and 10c. packages, 15 and 20 packages for one dollar, except 

 a few rare or costly kinds, where the price is noted. All flower seeds in packages are mailed 

 free of postage to the purchaser. Where there is more than one color, we generally import 

 them mixed, as we find that most of our customers do not wish to purchase six packages or 

 more, of one variety in order to get all the colors. One package of Asters, Zinnia, Phlox, 

 Chinese Pink, German Stocks, Petunia, Portulaca, and others, will always contain an equal 

 mixture of the best colors. 



Althea Rosea. Hollyhock. This flower 

 has been much improved of late years, and 

 is very easily cultivated. Can be sown from 

 October till April. Very hardy; from four to 

 six feet high. 



Alyssum SVlaritlmum. Sweet Alyssum. 

 Very free flowering plants, about six inches 

 high, with white flowers; very fragrant. Sow 

 from October till April. 



Antirhinum IVSajus. Snapdragon. Choice 

 mixed. Showy plant of various colors. About 

 two feet high. Should be sown early if per- 

 fect flowers are desired. Sow from October 

 till March. 



Aster. Queen Margaret, German Quilled. 

 Perfect double quilled flower, of all shades, 

 from white to dark purple crimson. One and a 

 half feet high. Sow from December till March. 



For $1.00 we v/ili send Fifteen Large Packages of assorted Garden Seeds. 



