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J. M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John St., New York. 



EXPLANATION OF THE FLOWER SEED 



CATALOGUE. 



We have endeavored to make our flower seed department as complete in detail and easy of reference as 

 possible, and instead of the usual description, have adopted a 

 system of classification in columns, using simple abbreviations to 

 denote the various characteristics of the varieties in regard to 

 color, time of flowering, hardiness, etc. 



The first column gives the number, by which the different 

 varieties may be ordered, without writing out the whole name. 



The second column gives the botanical name, in Roman 

 characters, and the following additional information : 



The asterisk (*) designates ornamental-leaved plants ; these 

 plants are grown for their foliage. 



The dash ( — ) designates the repetition of the name above it 

 as applied to the variety to which the dash is prefixed. 



in vars. designates in varieties, or in mixed colors. 

 Jl. pi. designates flore pieno, or double flowered. 



The third column gives in figures the comparative time of flowering. As it 

 is impossible in our varied extent of climate to state the exact month any plant may flower 

 in, we have adopted the simple plan of classing the different varieties into early, inter- 

 mediate and late flowering sorts. Thus : 



1 designates early — blooming in spring and early summer. 



2 " intermediate — blooming in midsummer. 



3 " late — blooming in late summer and autumn. 



The fourth column gives the duration or character, and hardiness. 



A represents Annual — lasting but one year, and producing flowers and seed the 

 same season. 



B Biennial — lasting two years, and generally blooming during the second season. 



P " Perennial — lasting three or more years. 



E " Evergreen — retaining foliage the entire year. 



S Shrubs— plants of bushy habit. 



g greenhouse plants — such as do best when kept under glass, 



bu " bulbous plants— plants forming bulbs or bulbous roots. 

 . . designates, in every case, repetition. 

 But as a large number of Biennials and Perennials, if sown ear'y, flower the first season, this distinguish 

 ing mark (f) is affixed to such. 



The hardiness is denoted by the following abbreviations, but it should be understood that this is intended 

 to apply to the climate of the Middle Atlantic states, and further north or south these designations apply onlv 

 in a comparative way : 



h represents hardy — plants for open border. 



hh " half-hardy— plants that require to be forwarded in pots or frames, 

 t tender — requiring protection. 



The fifth column gives the color in full, except as abbreviated below : 



carnation, cha- 

 baud's perpetual. 



ap. for apetalous 



blk. " black . . . 



br. " brown . . 



tri. " tricolor . . 



bff. 

 car. 

 cr. 

 sul. 



for buff. . . 

 " carmine 

 " crimson 

 " sulphur 



lav. for lavender . 

 ptd. " painted . 

 pur. " purple . . . 

 var. " variegated 



scar, 

 spot, 

 stri. 

 ver. 



for scarlet. 

 " spotted. 

 " striped. 

 " vermilion. 



trai. 



The sixth column gives the height in feet to which the plants grow under ordinary cultivation 

 signifies trailing; cr. stands for creeping. 



The seventh column shows the price per packet at which the flower seeds will be delivered by mail to 

 any postoffice. 



The eighth column gives brief observations respecting the various classes of plants catalogued, with 

 special directions respecting their culture, where required. As these notes have been very carefully prepared, 

 their suggestions are worthy of attention. 



