60 
L. L. MAY & CO., ST. PAUL, MINN. 
In the preceding years of our business in this department we endeav- 
ored to place before the public a comprehensive hst of all the best known 
flowers m cultivation, taking care to exclude all vile weeds known under 
high sounding names, and forming the filling-up matter of a great many 
catalogues in general, causing in the result to those purchasing them, 
great loss of time and bitter disappointment. Thus far we have steered 
clearof this rock, upon which so manvcatalogues have been shipwrecked, 
and again in this list for 1892, we are confident that its close scnitinj- 
will bring to us the reward for our carefulness in placing before our pa- 
trons and the general public, a list that is reliable and correct in its illus- 
trations and descriptions. 
In following closely the brief hints given below on sowingand cultivat- 
ing flowers, amateurs cannot but succeed well in raising flowers from 
our seeds to their entire satisfaction. One thing mustalwavs stand 
predominent in the minds of those who really want to be successful in 
their eflbrts to raise flowers, viz., the fact that all flower seeds must be 
carefully treated ,-iccording to the conditions of their nature; if this prin- 
ciple is rigidly adhered to, success will be assured. 
The Soil. — This is one of the most important things to be considered, 
and strict attention should be paid to its preparation. For flowers a 
light loam is best adapted, mixed with a small proportion of sand, suf- 
ficient to render it porous; it should be deeply dug and thoroughly pulver- 
ized, fertilizing it with an abundance of well-rotted manure, according 
to the character of the plant to be raised, some doing better in poorer 
soil ; but for the general run of flowers, well tilled and well manured soil 
brings the best results. 
Sowing:. — Too much attention cannot be paid to sowing seeds with 
proper care, for herein, in a great many cases, lies the secret of the suc- 
cessful gardener. Too light ortoo heavy a covering ofseeds often produces 
the most disastrous results. Forexample: a customerof ours, last year, 
complained to us that his lobelia seed failed to make even an appearance 
of growth ; upon inquiry we found that he had sown and covered it 
with two inches of soil ; we pointed outhiserror,andgavehimmoreseed, 
instructing him to scatter it merelv on top of soil, and to press smooth 
with someflat instrument. The result was just exactly what weexpccted. 
He wrote, stating that he never had such fi:ic growth in anything 
before. A simple rule to follow is, to never sow fine seed deeper than 
half an inch; extra fine seed on surface <mlv, pressing the soil firmly; 
coarse heavy seeds from one to two inches; water lightly and often, until 
seeds are started, then night and morning will be sufficient. 
Transplanting.— To procure strong and healthy plants, trans- 
planting IS a process which should never be neglected. It gives the plant 
strength, symmetry and beauty, and renews its life to a marked degree. 
Transplant from seed bed when plants are two inches high, into pots, 
boxes, or whatever place intended; if the plants seem to go back, and 
wither a little, don't think thev are about to die ; it is only the home- 
sickness, of a young life leaving the place of its birth. A few days will 
suffice for them to lift their heads, when attention and due care will do 
the rest. 
Hardy Annuals are raised in the open ground, bloom and die the 
first year. 
Half Hardy Annuals, require to be raised 
inside and transplanted into open ground when 
favorable weather sets in ; they bloom and die 
the first year. 
Hardy Biennials are sown in the open 
ground, flowering the second year only; except 
when sown early they often flower late in the 
first year; tbc3' also die in the second year. 
Half Hardy Biennials arc treated in the 
manner as II. H. A. 
Hardy Perennials usually bloom the sec- 
ond year from seed, find continue to grow and 
blossom for many years. Some will also bloom 
the first year if started earl^*. 
All flower seeds sent free by mail on receipt 
of jirice. Full cultural directions are given on 
back of each package, and, if such instructions 
are followed out, success isccrtain. See special 
club rates. 
ABKONIA. 
ABRONIA. 
(Annual.) 
Beautiful trailing plauts with prostrate branches several feet in length, 
and flowering in large trusses like the Verbena. Very fragrant ; .suitable 
for beds. rocK work or baskets. 
Abronia Arenaria. — Waxv lemon vellow. 10c. 
Abronia Umbellata— Rosy lilac, white eye 5c. 
ABROBRA. 
A rapid growing and very beautiful climbing gourd. Foliage delicate 
and of a very dark green; fruitoval and bright 
scarlet, forming a striking contrast with the 
glossy foliage. Half-hardy perennial. Start in 
hot-bed. 
Abrobra Viridiflora.— lOc. 
ACANTHUS. 
(Perennial.) 
Aoanthu Latifolius.— Stately foliage 
plants, suitable for specimens on lawns or in 
borders, presenting a rich tropical effect. The 
leaves on Corinthian columns were copied by 
the ancients from this plant ; height, 3ft. 3e. 
ACONITUM. 
(Perennial.) 
Aconitnm Napellus— ( M onk ' s H ood . )— 
Hardy, handsome plants, producing an abun- 
dance of dark blue flowers on long spikes. Suc- 
ceeds in beds or in partial shape; height, 4 ft. 
5c. 
ALYSSUM. 
,\CA.\TIiUS. 
!i 
ALYSSUM, MAY'S LITTLE BEArXY. 
Whether grown 
for summer-bloora- 
ingor for flowering 
in fall and winter 
in the parlor or 
green -house, its 
easy culture, and 
the delicate honey- 
like fragrance of its 
flowers, so much 
prized in bouquets 
and baskets, make 
this old favorite 
largely grown. 
Alyssum. Sweet. 
— Flowers white. 1 
foot. Hardy annu- 
al. 5c. 
Benthami Compactum. — This new sort never grows over six inches 
high, and is thickly studded with small flower spikes of pure white. lOc. 
Saxatile Compacta. — (Rock of Golden Alyssum.) — Show yellow, % 
foot; hardy perennial. 5c. 
Wiersbeckii.— White and yellow, l foot; hardy perennial. 5c. 
May's liittle Beauty. — (See cut.)— The finest Dwarf Alyssum grown; 
flowers white and very compact ; height, 6 inches. 10c. 
AGERATUM. 
(Annual.) 
Suitable for pot culture in winter or bed- 
ding out in summer; flowering continually 
and profusely. II. A. 
Ageratum. Blue.— 2 ft. 5c. 
White.— 2 ft. 5c. 
Lasseauxl.— Rose, 2 ft. oc. 
Tom ThuEib. Blue.— % 't. oc. 
White.— % ft. 5c. 
ADLUMIA. 
(Biennial.) 
Adlumia Cirrhosa,— ' Mountain Fringe." 
or "Allegheny Vine." ,\ cbanning climber, 
AGHkATUM. 
with feathery foliage and rose colored flowers. H. B. l."> ft. i See cut i loc. 
