Beckert's Seed Store, 101 and 103 Federal St., N. S., Pittsburgh, Pa. 



FLOWER SEEDS 



and Perennials which, we are satisfied, cannot fail to give satisfactory 

 results, and which we can heartily recommend for the various purposes. 



The Most Useful Annuals for Beds and Borders 



Ageratum, blue. Alyssum, white. Asters, all colors. Candytuft, 

 several colors. Celosias, mostly reds and yellows. Dianthus, many 

 colors. Dimorphotheca, or Golden Orange Daisy, and its many 

 hybrids. Eschscholtzia, or California Poppies, in several 

 Hunnemannia, or Bush Eschscholtzia, the big yellow Tulip 

 Dwarf French Marigold. Dwarf Nasturtiums in many 

 Petunias, colors and mixtures. Phlox Drummondii, all 

 Portulaca, single and double. Verbenas in many colors and 



In the following pages we offer a carefully chosen list of Flower Seeds, in which no want of the flower-garden has been neglected, the 

 numerous varieties insuring a wide range of color, form, height, habit and season, thus permitting selection for any purpose. 



Please use the Order Sheet that is enclosed in catalogue; by so doing, the filling of orders is speeded, and the chance of errors lessened. 

 Order by number and name, or by number only. 



THE SUCCESSFUL FLOWER GARDEN FROM SEEDS 



The growing of flowers from seeds is not difficult, provided a few 

 simple facts are borne in mind. In the first place, please remember 

 that none of the flower seeds, with comparatively few exceptions, 

 sprout as strongly as vegetable seeds. For this reason it pays to 

 take particular pains in preparation of the soil, since even the smallest 

 lump may cause the tiny seedlings to be smothered. Most people 

 make the mistake of covering seeds entirely too deeply. As a general 

 rule, remember that all fine seeds should not be covered any more than 

 just sufficiently to keep them in place and to prevent the wind from 

 blowing them away or the birds from eating them. 



Soil Preparation 



If possible, the ground where the flower-garden is to be should be 

 dug the preceding fall, since the alternate freezing and thawing 

 during the winter will do a great deal to put soil in mellow condition. 

 Incorporate lots of well-rotted manure, compost, or humus, and, 

 should the soil be a heavy clay or of similar stiff character, add lots 

 of sand or ashes. 



Lay out your beds in straight rows rather than by scattering seeds 

 at random. It is much easier, then, to discover the seedlings, and 

 it is but little trouble to transplant them where they are wanted 

 when they become large enough. 



Sowing Fine Seeds 



It pays, in connection with the more expensive varieties and 

 strains, to exercise particular care and to sow seeds in flat wooden 

 boxes, commonly called "seed-flats." These are made up of wooden 

 boards and may measure approximately 12 by 18 inches, with a depth 

 of 4 inches. This sort of flat is filled to within inch of the top with 

 finely sifted soil, and the seeds are then sown in shallow furrows about 

 4 inches apart, with a label at the head of each row to indicate where 

 the seedlings should appear. At first these seed-flats should be kept 

 covered with glass or moist paper to prevent too rapid evaporation 

 of moisture. Give seedlings plenty of fresh air. 



Cultivate Patience 



In connection with many Biennials and Perennials we must urge 

 you to exercise patience. All Perennials, with the exception of a very 

 few, are of slow germination. We give herewith a selection of Annuals 



yellow 

 colors. 

 Poppy 

 colors, 

 colors. 



color combinations. 



The Most Useful Annuals for Cut-Flowers 



Antirrhinum, or Snapdragon, in a wonderful assortment of colors. 

 Asters of all kinds and colors. Calendula, or Pot Marigold. Calliop- 

 sis in many colors. Celosia plumosa. Magnificent. Centaurea 

 cyanus of many kinds. Centaurea imperialis and Sweet Sultan. 

 Chrysanthemum, with many bicolor flowers. Cosmos, both early- 

 and late-flowering. Dianthus, or Pinks. Everlastings for winter 

 decorations. Helianthus, or Sunflowers, especially the Cucumeri- 

 folius type. Larkspur of several types, in many shades. Mignonette, 

 Nasturtiums, Nigella, Salpiglossis, Scabiosa, Sweet Peas, and Zinnias. 



Most Easily Grown Perennials or Old-Fashioned 

 Hardy Plants 



Aquilegia, or Columbine. Candytuft, gibraltarica and sem- 

 pervirens. Carnations. Centaurea americana and montana. Core- 

 opsis, or Harvest Moon. Delphinium. Dianthus, or Hardy Garden 

 Pinks. Scotch Pinks, and Feather Pinks. Digitalis, or Foxglove. 

 Gypsophila paniculata, or Baby's Breath. Lupinus. Platycodon, or 

 Chinese Bellflower. Hardy Phlox. Scabiosa, or Mourning Bride, 

 Japonica and Caucasica varieties. Stokesia Cyanea, or Cornflower 

 Aster. Viola cornuta. 



Note — To quickly find any or all of the above flowers, consult 

 complete index on last page. 



Explanation of Abbreviations Used in the Descriptions 



HARDY ANNUALS, HA. These should be sown outside in April or May, 

 according to season, latitude, and condition of soil; or they may be sown at a 

 somewhat earlier date in a hotbed or greenhouse, the combining of the two 

 methods being advisable, thereby providing for a succession of plantings if both 

 sowings prosper. Seed sown under glass will also produce earlier-blooming 

 plants than seed sown outdoors. 



HALF-HARDY ANNUALS, HHA, HALF-HARDY BIENNIALS, HHB, 

 and HALF-HARDY PERENNIALS, HHP. These may be sown indoors, as 

 above directed, from March to May, and outdoors after the middle of May. 

 Many of the Biennials and Perennials will bloom the first season if sown early. 



HARDY BIENNIALS, HB, and HARDY PERENNIALS, HP, can be 

 sown outdoors as soon as the soil is in good tillable condition. If sown early 

 indoors, many of them will bloom the first season. Sowings made from July to 

 September will produce well-established plants for the next season. These 

 should be somewhat protected during the winter. Many seeds of Hardy Bien- 

 nials and Hardy Perennials are of very slow germination, and seeds of such 

 should not be condemned as bad if a quick germination does not show. 



TENDER ANNUALS, TA, TENDER BIENNIALS, TB, and TENDER 



PERENNIALS, TP, can be sown in March in the greenhouse or in hotbeds in 

 shallow boxes. Transplant to secure sturdy plants, which can be placed out- 

 doors after danger of frost is over, about May 15. 



HHA, HHB, and HHP designate Half-Hardy Annuals, Biennials and Per- 

 ennials. 



HB and HP designate Hardy Biennials and Perennials. 

 TA and TP designate Tender Annuals and Perennials. 



Any species or variety to which no letters are affixed are to be considered as 

 Hardy Annuals. 



Cultivate the habit of keeping records of what you are doing in the garden. 

 Garden records consist of plans, planting notes, and individual wooden labels 

 with which each row should be marked. By means of these records it is possible 

 to determine just which varieties of vegetables or flowers are best suited to your 

 locality. In connection with all rows of flower seeds, and especially where seeds 

 are sown in seed-flats, as illustrated above, we feel that 4-inch wooden labels 

 are amply large enough to mark the rows. On these labels should be written 

 the name of the variety and the date when the seeds were sown. For the con- 

 venience of our customers we provide 4-inch painted wooden labels for this 

 purpose at 35 cts. per 100, postpaid* 



All Flower Seeds in Pkts., by the Oz., or Lb., are Sent Postpaid at Catalogue Prices 

 ORDER FLOWER SEEDS BY NUMBER and name. It is sufficient to order by number only 



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