Catalogue ok Hk;h-Class Seeds. 



7i 



Flower Seeds. 



PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTURE, TREATMENT, ETC. 



HARDY ANNUALS (hA). — Sow in April or May, according to the latitude, in shallow boxes or pots placed 



in a warm window, a hotbed, or, if possible, in a green- 

 house. A second sowing ought to be made from two to 

 four weeks after, for a succession, as well as to provide 

 against failure the first time. For sowing seeds In, there 

 is nothing better than shallow boxes from 2 to 3 inches 

 deep and of any convenient size. The most suitable soil 

 in which to sow seeds of all the smaller kinds is a very 

 fine, rich, sandy loam ; if some fine charcoal can be mixed 

 with it, it will be beneficial. The soil from old hotbeds 

 is excellent, or sods from an old pasture, piled up and 

 allowed to rot for two or three years, and then mixed 

 with a little old stable-manure and sand. The selection 

 of a proper soil in which to sow fine seeds is very impor- 

 tant, as upon this depends the success or failure of them. 

 After the seeds are up, care must be taken to give them 

 plenty of air and moisture, and yet not too much water, 

 or they will "damp-off." When the young plants are 

 well out of the seed-leaf, they must be transplanted to 

 new boxes. If pots 2 inches or more in diameter can be 

 had, set out from three to a dozen or more of the young 

 seedlings along the edges of the pot, so that as soon as 

 the ground is warm enough they may be easily turned 

 out and planted singly, as by that time they will have 

 made good roots. Where the pots cannot be had, boxes, 

 tin cans, etc., may be substituted ; or a cheap and effec- 

 tive plan is to take out the inside of a potato or turnip, 

 leaving a shell half an inch thick. After filling'these 

 with the compost above referred to, set out the seedlings 

 in them, and place the whole in boxes, filling in the 

 spaces between the potatoes or turnips with soil. When 

 the plants are ready to set in the open ground, it is an 

 easy matter to transplant them, and as the decay of the 

 turnips or potatoes affords nourishment to the young 

 plants, a double purpose is served in using them. Treated in this way, the seedlings receive no check in 

 growth, and require none of the extra care in watering or shading necessary with other methods. 



A common mistake in sowing flower, as well as other seeds, is in covering too deep. As a general rule, 

 cover only to the depth of the thickness of the seeds, or with medium-sized seeds, like Balsams, Zinnias, etc., 

 a half an inch or so is none too much. Such fine seeds as Portulacas need only to be pressed into the soil with 

 a piece of board or the palm of the hand. Always press the earth down firmly after sowing all flower seeds, 

 else there is danger of their drying up before the roots can get firm hold of the soil. Seeds of the hardier 

 Annuals may be sown where they are to grow ; but as a rule it is preferable to transplant, as the plants are 

 generally stronger and stand the drought better. During very dry weather, and when the seedlings are first 

 set out, they should be watered frequently. Provide some support for all such Annuals as require it, else the 

 plants become weak and straggling, and do not make the show they otherwise would. 



The weeds should be kept down and the ground loosened often, so that the plants will receive the full 

 benefit of the rains and dews, which they will not if the ground is allowed to become hard and baked. 



Seeds of Biennials and some Hardy Annuals maybe sown in September in boxes, and placed in cold- 

 frames. They will make strong plants by spring, and come into flower early. Do not put on the sashes until 

 heavy rains and frost render this necessary, and then always remove during the day, and whenever the tem- 

 perature is above freezing in winter. 



HARDY BIENNIALS (hB) and PERENNIALS (hP).— These require the same treatment as the Hardy 

 Annuals. In addition to the above, both Hardy Biennials and Perennials may be sown in the open border in 

 September; for if not sown until spring, the seeds of many Perennials require two years before they germi- 

 nate. In this case it is a good plan, at the commencement of frost, to cover them lightly with straw, leaves, 

 or any dry litter, in order to afford some protection from the extreme severity of the winter. As soon as the 



DOUBLE-FLOWERED BALSAM. 



