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MAY'S CATALOGUE OP NORTHERN GROWN SEEDS, BULBS, PLANTS AND FRUITS. 
A WORD ABOUT OUR FLOWER SEEDS 
All flower seeds sent free by mail on receipt of price. Full cultural 
directions are given on back of each package, and if such instructions are 
followed out, success is certain. 
^^'""""y y'^-n's C'^Vricncc in )n-owing ami handliiiK flower seeds, 
m wliicli tune we liavc tested tllousands of varieties, discarding a great 
many as wortliless, wc_prcsent lierewitll a list of clioice varieties suchi as 
we know are of easy culture and well fitted for successful cultivation by 
amateurs Each year we add new varieties and discard old ones, and 
by this selection keep constantly before our customers choice stocks 
uur seeds are all tested and we are positive that none but those of liigh 
germinating qualities go to our patrons. 
For the information and guidance of our customers we have plainly 
marked the class to which each variety belongs, so that at a glance any- 
one can tell whether they are annuals, biennials or perennials. 
Annuals bloom and die the firstseason fromsccd. Biennials are varieties 
which produce leaves the first ycanand bloom the following season- 
however, a large number, if the seed is sown early, will produce an 
abundance of flowers the first season. Perennials are varieties that last 
year after year and blossom annuallv. 
CULTURAL SUGGESTIONS. 
rjclow on sowing and cultivating flowers, amateurs cannot but succeed 
well in raising flowers from our seeds and to their entire .satisfaction. 
One thing must always stand predominant in the minds of those who 
really wi*nt to be successful in their eflforts to raise flowers, viz: the fact 
that all flower seeds inustbe carefully treated according to the condition 
oftheir nature; if this principle is rigidlv adhered to. success will be assured 
..„ 1 "S"" ofthemostimportantthingsto be considered 
and strict attention should be paid to its preparation. For ilowcrsa 
light loam IS best adapted mixed with a small proportion of sand, 
suflic.ent to render it porous; it should be deeply dug and thoroughly 
pulverized, fertilizing it with an abundance of well-rooted manure? ac- 
cording to the character of the plant to lie raised, some doing betterin 
poorer soil, but for the general run of flowers, well tilled and well 
manured soil brings the best results. 
Sowing. Too much attentioncannot be paid to sowing seeds with 
proper care, for herein, in a great mr ny cases, lies the secret of the.sue- 
eessful gardener. Too light or too heavy a covering of seeds ofttn pro- 
duces the most disastrous results. For example: a customer of ours 
comijlamed that his Lobeliaseed failed tomakeeven an appearance of 
grow;th; upon inquiry we found that he had sown and covered it witli 
two inches of soil; we pointed outhis error, and gave him more seed 
instructing him to scatter it merely on top of the soil, and to press 
smooth -with some flat instrument. Theresult was just exactly what 
we expected. He wrote, stating thathe never had such a fine growth 
in anything before. Asimple rule to foUowis, never sow fine seeddeeper 
than half an inch; extra fine seed on surface onlv, pressing the soil firm- 
ly;coarse, heavy seed from one to twoinches;w"ater lightly and often 
unW the seeds are started, then night and morning will be sufficient. 
. I ransplanting. To procure strong and healthy plants, transplanting 
IS a process which should never be neglected. It gives the plant strength 
symmetry and beauty, and renews itslifc toamarked degree. Trans- 
plant from seed bed when plants are two inches high, into pots, boxes 
<";y:'';=itS">'^'',P'a9« .intended; if the plants seem to go back, and wither 
a little, don t think they are about to die; it is only the homesickness 
of a young life leaving the pl.aee of birth. A few days will suflice for 
them to lift their heads, when attention and due care will do the 
READ THIS! 
AkjkoKllA. (Sand Verbena 
Ll^J; 1^ !J r<-mitt ng tl.oo may stleci flower seeds in packets at catalogue pr ces amount ng to Si jo 
Purchasers remitting $2.00 m.iy select flower seeds in packets at catalogue prices amount nf to si'rto 
PURCHASKKS remitting $3.00 may select flower seeds in packets at catalogue pr ce.s mnoimtini to lloo 
PURCHASERS remitting $4.00 niay select flower seeds in packets at catalogue prices SmounUnf ^o sl'to 
Tins ihscouiit docs not apply to any of our Special Offers. 
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. . Annual. Pretty trailing iilants prod uc- i'kt A'lfljl\l. 
ing clusters ol sweet scented Verbena like flowers especially fr.agrant $ 
toward evening and lasting in bloom a long time. 
Arenarla. Yellow 
VS.'^S-'.'.'**- "'"'h white eve'.'..'...'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.".'.'.'!.'.'.'.'.';.';;.'.'."" 
ABUTIUON. (Chinese Bell-Plower or Flowering Maple.) Tender 
Perennial. Elegant flowering shrubs of strong growth and easy cul- 
tivation, frec-flowcring, with various colore.!, beautiful, drooping 
bell-shaped llowers. . 1 i*. 
Fine Mixed. Of choice varieties and colors 
Boule de Nelge. Pure white 
ACANTHUS LATIFOLIUS. Hardy Perennlai. Fine '■sta't'eiy "ifoUAge 
A,l'i!/!i"J r.'^y ""'omental leaves, and long spikes of bloom... 
AcniULkA. (Sneezewort.) Hardy Perennial. Double wrhite flowers 
. }.'2I"S. Pr'rfU'-'ely during the summer ,0 
Aa)NITUM, NAPELLUS. (Monk's Hood's or Wolfsbane.) Hardy ' 
Ai^oJSI". ■2V.„,?P'¥'' <^"rio"sly shaped white and blue flowers os 
•/fx.,' Annual. Lovely white or rosy-pink flowers, which, 
111 the hud state, can be dried and used in wi-.tcr bouquets. 
Album. White 
Roseum. Bright rose, 
nixed All colors ... , 
(Hoss Flower.) Annual. FrcTTlooJ^Trng annualsk^kt 
bearing clusters 01 round, tassel-like flowers in great abundanee.$ 
JnDnSTcS'j^y'Vn' 5c; Lasseaux, Rose.pkt. gc; Hixed, pkt. sc. 
AQROSTEMHA. (Rose of Heaven.) Annual. Popular flowers 
growing about 15 or 18 inches in height. Colors range from 
crimson and deep roscthrough the shadesof pink to almost white. 
Mixed colors 
ALYSSUn. Annual. Pretty littie 'plants' 'for 'bcds',''v'a^^ 
edgings or rock-work. 
Little Beauty. (See cut). Of dwarf. 
Annual. Very stately upright-gro'wing"ornal 
.05 
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The flowers $ 
ADLUMIA CIRRHOSA, 
(Mountain Fringe, Alle- 
Pheny Vine, or Climbing 
umitory.) Hardy Per- 
ennial. A graceful climb- 
er, with feathery foliage. 
arc tube-shaped, and flesh colore<i.... 10 
ADONIS. (Pheasant's Eye.) With pretty, 
finc-cnt foliage, and dark crimson 
flowers, with a light center 
Aestivalis. Annual. Scarlet blossoms 
Vernalls. Perennials. Fine yellow blos- 
soms 
ALONSOA. (Mask Flower.) Handsome- 
bedding plants, producing scarlet and 
white flowers in great profusion 05 
ANEMONE. (Windflower.) Hardy Peren- 
nial. Hardy, flowering plant, easilv 
grown from seed. 
Coronaria. Poppy Anemone. Mixed all 
colors 
Japonica. Mixed all colors..., 
St. Brigld. A beautiful v.-irietv. producing 
single, semi-double and double-flowers in 
an endless variety of colors, measuring 
irom ;! to .T inches in diameter . 
Sylvestris. White. Vcrv beautiful.... 
, . . ■ comp.-ict habit, seldom at- 
taing a height of over 8 inches, and literally covered with pure 
white blossoms 
Sweet Scented. 
AMARANTHUS. 
mental plants. 
Caudatus. (Love Lies Bleeding.) Blood-red, drooping- .3 feet os 
Salicifolius. (Fountain Plant.) Of pyramidal, drooping habit, 
branching close to the ground 05 
Tricolor. (Joseph's Coat.) Leaves red, yellow and green; a ftei;.. !os 
Tricolor Splendens. An improvement on the old sort, of more 
brilliant coloring; a beautiful ornameiital jilant .05 
Mixed. All the above and many others ok 
AMPELOPSIS VEITCHI. (Japan or Boston Ivy.) Perennial." "X ' 
valuable llardv climber 10 
AUCHUSA CAPENSIS. ( African Forget-me-not '.V Anniiai; 
Introduced into this country from South Africa .and resembles 
greatly in shape and color offlower our well known Forget-me-not 
Pkt, 
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ALYSSUM, Lll li.^ bcAllTY, 
