DREER'S GARDEN CALENDAR. 5 



REMARKS ON THE FAILURE OF SEEDS. 



FROM a conviction that the Seedsman's fair reputation is often unjustly defamed, through 

 the failure of seeds, we would with brevity state some of the causes: 



That some cultivators, through ignorance or forgetfulness of the fact that the products of 

 a garden, being natives of various soils and climates, require peculiar management, deposit 

 their seeds in the ground at an improper season. To aid such we have prepared brief directions, 

 founded on practical experience in the vicinity of Philadelphia, where gardening operations 

 are generally commenced early in March. These directions may, however, be applied to all 

 other parts of the United States, by a minute observance of the difference in temperature. 



Thus, to the North, the directions for March will apply to April ; and at the South to January, 

 February or whatever season gardening operations may commence in the respective States. 

 The early and most hardy species and varieties should not be planted until the ground can be 

 brought into good condition, as some species of plants, that in an advanced stage of growth will 

 stand a hard winter, are often cut off by a very slight frost while young, especially if exposed to 

 the sun after a frosty night. 



That some species of seed, such as Beans, Beet, Cabbage, Lettuce, Radish, Salsify, Turnip, 

 etc., being from their nature apt to vegetate quickly, are often destroyed while germinating 

 through variableness of the weather, and some are liable to be devoured by insects in forty- 

 eight hours after they are sown, and before a plant is seen above the ground, unless a suitable 

 remedy is applied in time to annoy the insects. 



That some species, such as Carrots, Celery, Leek, Onion, Parsley, Parsnip, Spinach, etc., 

 being naturally of tardy growth, taking (in unfavorable seasons) from two to three or four weeks 

 to vegetate, are apt to perish through incrustation of the soil, or ether untoward and unaccount- 

 able circumstances, which cannot always be controlled. 



That the failures often occur through Seeds being deposited too deeply in the ground, or 

 left too near the surface. Sometimes, for the want of a sufficiency of seed in a given spot, 

 solitary plants will perish, they not having sufficient strength to open the pores of the earth, and 

 very frequently injudicious management in over manuring and improperly preparing the soil will 

 cause defeat. 



That in some sowings of seed made during dry weather with a drought following, a total 

 failure often occurs from neglecting to firmly press or roll in the Seeds, so when they germinate 

 the action of the heat and drought may not affect the germ. We are satisfied that thousands 

 of pounds of Turnip, late Cabbage and other summer-sown Seeds are annually lost from this 

 neglect. Observe never to tread or roll in the Seeds when the ground is wet. 



For instructions on these and all other subjects of Gardening, the reader is referred to 

 "American Gardener's Assistant,'' "Gardening for Profit," or other works on this subject to be 

 found in our " Farmer's and Gardener's Library," in this catalogue, which we mail post-paid 

 on receipt of price. 



Extract. — Some Gardeners raise Egg-Plants, etc., in the same hot-bed frame with Cabbage, 

 and other half hardy plants that require air every mild day ; by such management one or the 

 other must suffer for want of suitable aliment — heat being the principal food of tender plants, 

 and air that of the more hardy varieties. i 



TO THE MARKET GARDENERS. 



Our advantages in growing and having specially grown for our trade the varieties best 

 adapted to soil and climate, as well as testing and thoroughly cleaning seeds, together with our 

 long experience in supplying the wants of the trade, around this city and the larger cities of the 

 country, enable us to offer the best stock, which cannot fail to give the best possible results to the 

 market gardener, as well as the amateur who may desire to grow a few choice vegetables. 



The first seed catalogue issued by our house was sent out in 1839, in a circular form, although 

 the firm had been established in 1838; but the first edition of this annual was published in 

 1861 in a i2mo form of 48 pages. The contrast may assure you that the forty-fi^ years of 

 faithful devotion to our patrons' interests have been fully rewarded and appreciated, ami it is our 

 earnest aim and endeavor to pursue the same policy in the future to merit a continuance of your 

 patronage by liberal and prompt dealing, and sending out only fresh and genuine seeds 

 and reliable stock at reasonable prices. 



Market Gardeners, requiring large quantities of Seed, will be furnished with special prices un application. 



