GARDEN MANUAL FOR THH SOUTHERN STATES. 



107 



few weeks are enough to render it so coarse 

 and hard that animals refuse it or eat spar- 

 ingly. 



BUCKWHEAT. 



For a late summer crop Buckwheat is very 

 profitable, especially in sections where Cow 

 Feas do not succeed so well. It is easily 

 grown, makes splendid flower food for bees 

 and a large yield of grain, and is also valuable 

 for turning under as an improver of the soil. 



Japanese. This variety yields very 

 largely. The kernels are larger than other 

 sorts, but owing to its branching qualities 

 it need not be sown so thickly. 



Silver Hull. A superior variety in every 

 way to the ordinary buckwheat which it has 

 almost'entirely superseded. 



Awnless Brome Grass. (Bromus in- 

 ermis). A perennial grass valuable for bind- 

 ing" the soil of embankments, and on account 

 of its ability to resist both drought and cold. 

 On light, dry soils it is used for both hay and 

 pasturage . 



Mammoth Russian Sunflower. This 

 makes a very large yield of seed, and is val- 

 uable to grow for cattle and poult' y, the seed 

 being very rich in fat producing qualities. 



Timothy. {Phhum Pratense.) It makes the 

 standard grass for hay. Can be sown alone 

 or with Red Clover. Should be cut when 

 flowering. We handle strictly pure stock. 



Texas Seed Wheat. Popular Southern 

 variety, usually ripening in May in the 

 South. It is an early ripening prolific sort. 



Rye Grass, Italian. (Lolium Italicum.) 

 A rapid grower, hardy and very productive, 

 on moist rich soils. 



Alsike or Hybrid Clover. Succeeds in 

 cold, stiff soils and on land which is too 

 wet for other species. 



Onohyrchis Sativa. — (Esparsette, San- 

 foin.) — This perennial, European, pea-like 

 plant, has a high character as a feed in 

 France. It is cultivated to but a limited ex- 

 tent in the South. It is worthy of trial as it 

 belongs to a warm climate. 



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 a.s ourselves; but they, on an average sell much 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 perfection 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 of the hand or spade to the soil will cover; 

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

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

 are very fine, 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 middle 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 Maritimum. Sweet Alyssum. 

 Very free flowering plants, about six inches 

 high, with white flowers ; very fragrant. Sow 

 from October till April. 



Antirhinum Ma jus. 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 will send Fifteen Large Packages of assorted Garden Seeds. 



