How to be Successful in Cultivating Flower Seeds 95 



Probably no outdoor occupation gives so much pleasure as the cultivation of flowers from seed. Starting with the tiny inanimate-looking 

 grains of seed, placing them carefully in suitable soil, intelligently watching the conditions of air and moisture while the seeds are hidden below 

 the ground, sometimes making for them artificial surroundings necessary to their growth, watching the gradual unfolding of the tiny seedling, and 

 later the miraculous development of leaf, stem and branch until finally the fully grown plant bursts into glorious flower; this is the pleasure await- 

 ing one who grows flowers from seed. 



The charm of flowers appeals to all; the grossest nature is touched by their beauty. Some cherish the tiny loveliness of the modest Forget- 

 me-not, others are thrilled with the gorgeous beauty of the flamboyant Poppy, but, whatever one's taste, there are flowers to meet its demands. 



Annual Flower Seeds 



These complete the cycle of their existence, growing from seed to seed 

 in one year. Many sorts require to be sown in some sheltered situation 

 such as a greenhouse, cold frame, or window box about a month before 

 they may be planted outdoors. This is necessary not only on account 

 of their tenderness, but also because they need more time for develop- 

 ment, and by sowing thus early, the growing season is proportionately 

 prolonged. Others may be sown where they are to stand, in which case 

 they require careful attention for the first few weeks. 



Annuals offer a large field for selection, embracing plants of all kinds, 

 from the modest Sweet Alyssum to the gorgeous Salvia, the majestic 

 Ricinus, and dainty Cosmos. They are found in every conceivable 

 shade of color, and are adaptable for growing as single specimens, or 

 planting for large effect in clumps or masses, while others are well suited 

 for making borders. 



While there is no class of plants that will survive better under rigor- 

 ous conditions, yet in order to achieve the best results they should be 

 planted where they can obtain ample sunlight, may be easily watered, 

 and, in case of early frost, may be quickly protected. 



It is almost needless to urge the importance of careful weeding, when 

 the seedlings are quite young. Unfortunately, every foot of the average 

 garden contains countless weed seeds, which generally grow more 

 vigorously than the seeds that have been sown; in fact, many amateurs 

 often mistake them for the variety they have sown. 



A continuity of bloom may be selected by occasional sowings of 

 many sorts, such as Eschscholtzia, Sweet Alyssum, Phlox, Zinnia, 

 etc. In the latitude of New York these sowings may be made as late 

 as June 15th. 



The great value of Annuals is enhanced by the fact that an effectual 

 display may be secured for a very modest outlay, many of the most 

 attractive sorts being sold in 10c. packages. 



Perennial Flower Seeds 



The great charm of Perennials lies in their permanence. Once estab- 

 lished they are a constant source of pleasure, and among the most 

 interesting plants in our gardens, presenting a variety of size, form and 

 color so great as to fit them for almost every conceivable purpose in the 

 garden. Some may be made to thrive under most unkind conditions, 

 while others are adapted to the most skilful cultivation. 



Many plants of this class, notably Antirrhinums, have been so 

 greatly improved by hybridization during recent years, that they may 

 now be had in varying height, and in almost every shade of color. 



A very large proportion of the Perennial plants that may be grown 

 from seed have great value as cut flowers, particularly so because of 

 their great substance, which enables them to stand up well long after 

 cutting. 



In the matter of arrangement they offer an almost endless choice. 

 Some grow into majestic plants, which may stand as single specimens, 

 others may be used for conspicuous display in masses or clumps, while 

 others are of great value as border plants. 



Notwithstanding their individual charm, they are most effective 

 when planted in a mixed border, where by arranging them according 

 to height, color and season of flowering, an attractive, display may be 

 had from the earliest days of spring, all through the summer, and even 

 after the first frosts herald the approach of winter. And so, week by 

 week, as sure as the season revolves such a border will present new 

 charms and revive old ones, the beauty of it growing with ever-increas- 

 ing interest. 



Perennials are generally raised from seed sown from early spring to 

 about August 1st, in the latitude of New York. 



Treated thus, they make strong plants whieh may be planted in a 

 permanent situation early enough in the fall to enable them to winter 

 safely. 



In some instances plants will flower the first year from seed if sown 

 quite early, but nearly all require a year to reach their best develop- 

 ment. 



Culture of Flower Seeds 



Brief cultural instructions are. printed on the back of our Flower seed packets and in more detail in our booklet " Henderson's Flowers for 



American Gardens," sent post free if asked for. 



Seed Sowing. Most cases of failure of seeds to come up are due to 

 unsuitable soil conditions. It is mechanically impossible that young 

 seedlings can send their shoots upwards through soil which is hard 

 and packed, neither can tender rootlets pierce downward in such soil. 

 The result is an abortive effort to grow. So let the soil, either in the 

 cold frames, or the permanent bed, be well dug and pulverized. Pine 

 soil should be sifted on top to at least an inch in depth, and if heavy 

 or clayey, lightened with sand. Smooth down the surface with a piece 

 of board about 8 in. square, to the center of which a small block has 

 been nailed to hold on by. Then with a pointed stick mark out the 

 rows, letting them run the narrow way of the frame or box. 



Stick in a name label at the end of each row, and then drop the seeds 

 in a little pinch at a time, taking care to spread it so that it does not lie 

 in lumps. Very small seeds should be sown broadcast on a square space, 

 and the label stuck in the center. Sow large seeds one by one, an inch 

 apart. Sift earth over all to cover them as deep as twice their diameter, 

 and then press down firmly again with the board. Hard shell seeds like 

 Ipomoeas, Cannas, etc., should be soaked in water 24 hours to soften 

 before planting. Lay over the bed a piece of thin cotton cloth, and 

 water with a fine spray. When the seeds come up, remove the cloth. 

 After this do not let the soil dry out, and raise the sash or pane of glass, 



as the case may be, to admit air on warm days. Seed sowing in perma- 

 nent beds is accomplished in the same way, but of course is not done 

 until May 10th to May 15th, with some exceptions already noted. 

 Note that when seeds are sown out-doors they should be covered more 

 deeply than if sown indoors or under glass. Cover to fully three 

 times the diameter of the seed. Some gardeners lacking a cold frame 

 plant all their annuals outdoors about May 10th, in a temporary seed- 

 bed located along a south wall, and protected from the sun by a strip 

 of cloth three feet wide and as long as the bed. 



This is nailed on four-feet slats placed about three feet apart. One of 

 the ends of the slats is stuck in the ground, and the other rests in a lean- 

 ing position against the wall. Also use this on cold nights. Prepare the 

 soil, and sow the seed in the same way as in a cold frame, but a trifle 

 deeper. Transplant to permanent beds when three true leaves show. 



Transplanting from Cold Frames or Window Boxes. This is 

 done about May 10th to I5th or whenever the weather is settled. 

 Water the seedlings and also the ground they are to be transplanted 

 to, the day before, so that soil conditions are equal. Separate the 

 seedlings with a sharp stick, and if they are growing thickly together 

 place a clump of them in water to soften the soil. Transplant when 

 2 or 3 "true" leaves appear. 



We receive annually hundreds of unsolicited testimonials and snap-shots from customers who are happy with Henderson's Flowers. 



Take it out in the Garden. It Answers Questions. Henderson's Garden Guide and Record, Free with orders of $3,00 or over, 



when asked for. See page 3. 



