BECKERT'S SEED STORE 



I 



The Successful Flower Garden From Seeds 



The growing- of flowers from seeds is not difficult, pro- 

 vided a few simple facts are borne in mind. In the first 

 place remember that none of the flower seeds, with com- 

 paratively few exceptions, sprout as strongly as vegeta- 

 ble 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 gen- 

 eral 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 well-rotted manure, 

 peat moss, or humus, and, should the soil be a heavy clay or 

 of similar stiff character, add sand or ashes. 



Lay out your beds in straight rows rather than by scat- 

 tering 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 V 2 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 in- 

 dicate 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 

 on this page a selection of Annuals and Perennials which, 

 will give satisfactory results, and which we can heartily 

 recommend for the various purposes. 



Abbreviations Used in Flower Descriptions 



HA. HARDY ANNUALS. 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 in shallow boxes indoors, the combining of the 

 two methods being advisable, thereby providing for a succes- 

 sion of plantings. Seed sown under glass will also produce 

 earlier-blooming plants than seed sown outdoors. 



HHA. HALF-HARDY ANNUALS. These mav be 



HUB. HALF-HARDY BIENNIALS. sown indoors as 



HHP. HALF-HARDY PERENNIALS. above directed 



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

 Some of the Biennials and Perennials will bloom the first 

 season if sown early indoors. 



HB. HARDY BIENNIALS. Can be sown outdoors as 



HP. HARDY PERENNIALS. | soon as the soil is in good 

 tillable condition. If sown early indoors, some 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 Biennials 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. 



TA. TENDER ANNUALS. I These can be sown in 



TB. TENDER BIENNIALS. March in the greenhouse 



TP. TENDER PERENNIALS. | or in hotbeds or in shallow 

 boxes indoors. Transplant later to secure sturdy plants, which 

 can be placed outdoors after danger of frost is over, about 

 May 15. 



ANNUAL FLOWERS FOR CUTTING 



Ageratum 



Larkspur 



Antirrhinum 



Lupinus 



Arctotis 



Marigold 



Aster 



Mignonette 



Calendula 



Nasturtium 



Calliopsis 



Nigella 



Candytuft 



Pansy 



Carnation 



Pinks 



Centaurea 



Phlox 



Cosmos 



Poppy 



Chrysanthemum 



Salpiglossis 



Didiscus 



Salvia 



Everlastings 



Scabiosa 



Gaillardia 



Sweet Peas 



Gypsophila 



Verbena 



Hunnemannia 



Zinnia 



DWARF ANNUALS FOR EDGING 



Ageratum 



Alyssum 



Brachycome 



Candytuft 



Dianthus (Pinks) 



Eschscholtzia 



Lobelia 



Nasturtium (Dwarf) 



Petunia 



Phlox 



Portulaca 



Tagetes 



ANNUAL VINES FROM SEED 



Balloon Vine 5 to 10 feet 



Canary Creeper 10 to 1 5 feet 



Cardinal Climber 10 to 20 feet 



Cobaea Scandens (TP.) 30 feet 



Cypress Vine 15 to 20 feet 



Dolichos 10 feet 



Gourds 15 to 20 feet 



Humulus 20 to 30 feet 



Moonvine 20 to 30 feet 



Morning Glory 8 to 10 feet 



Scarlet Runner Bean 10 to 15 feet 



Wild Cucumber 1 to 30 feet 



POPULAR 



Anthemis 



Aquilegia 



Campanula 



Candytuft (Iberis) 



Centaurea, Montana 



Coreopsis 



Delphinium 



Digitalis 



Gaillardia 



Gypsophila (Hardy) 

 Hollyhock 



HARDY PERENNIALS 



Lupinus 

 Phlox 



Physostegia 

 Pinks 



Poppy, Oriental 



Platycodon 



Pyrethrum 



Scabiosa, Caucasica 



Stokesia 



Sweet William 



Viola, Odorata 



To quickly find description of any of the above, refer to 

 complete index in back of catalog. 



ORDER FLOWER SEEDS BY NUMBERS SHOWN IN THIS CATALOG 



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