30 
CLIBRANS, SEED MERCHANTS AND NURSERYMEN. 
Clibrans’ Selected English and imported 
FLOWER SEEDS 
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES and EVERLASTINGS will be found under separate headings (see pages 74 and 75). 
Our “Selected” Strains. 
Nature is prodigal in the production of seeds of the large majority of flowering plants, and the 
ordinary grades of Flower Seeds can be produced in large quantities very cheaply, and sold at a low 
price. They are ORDINARY in every sense of the word, and cannot be expected to give the best 
results. 
In order to maintain a certain standard of excellence, a system of careful and continuous 
SELECTION by Skilled growers is absolutely essential; the best types must be preserved, and 
every plant which shows the slightest degeneracy must be rigorously weeded out. This involves the 
daily examination of the crop during the flowering period and naturally increases the cost of produc= 
tion, but the result is a strain of improved habit of growth, larger flowers, and richer colouring. 
This method of selection has made our strains of Calceolarias, Cinerarias, Celosias, Cyclamen, 
Primulas, 6c., noted throughout the country, and all the seeds we offer being produced by the same 
painstaking methods, may be relied upon to be as near perfection as it is possible for care and skill 
to make them. 
BRIEF DIRECTIONS AS TO SOWING, CULTURE, &c. 
The following hints may be useful to those who are inexperienced. Cultural directions are also 
printed on nearly all of our flower seed packets. 
HARDY ANNUALS. — These require no protection, and may be sown in the open borders, &c., from March till June for 
summer and autumn blooming, and the majority again in August and September for early spring flowering. They are usually 
sown where they are to flower, and are amongst the most easily cultivated of all plants, thriving in almost any ordinary 
garden soil, and if a little care is bestowed in their selection, and successional sowings made, they will yie d an abundance or 
flowers, and afford a magnificent display throughout the season. In sowing, the heights of the plants should be noted, placing 
the dwarf kinds in front of the beds or borders, and the taller sorts behind. The seeds should not be sown too thickly nor too 
deep, a covering of half an inch or thereabouts being quite sufficient, excepting in the case of fine seeds, which need only a very 
thin coating of earth. If the weather is dry, they should be watered freely. Commence to thin out early to avoid over- 
crowding and keep free from weeds, so that the plants may become robust and produce fine foliage and well-developed flowers. 
HALF-HARDY ANNUALS. — All in this section flower and mature their seeds in the open air. The seeds should 
be sown thinly during February, March or April, in pots, pans, or boxes, and placed in moderate heat. Provide ample 
drainage, and press the soil down firmly before sowing. Cover the seeds lightly and evenly with soil, and water carefully 
with a fine rose can. If pieces of glass or hand glasses be placed over the pots, &c., an even degree of moisture is ^ main- 
tained, but these should be removed immediately the young plants appear. As soon as the plants are large enough to hand e 
they should be pricked out into pans, boxes, &c., and placed in frames, then gradually hardened off and transplanted m May 
or the beginning of June. A mixture of loam, leaf-mould, and well-rotted manure, with a little sand, is the most suitable 
compost. Where heat is not available, sow in April, and place the pans, &c., under hand lights, or in a cool frame. Many 
kinds will succeed well if sown during May in the open border. 
TENDER ANNUALS OR GREENHOUSE PLANTS.— These comprise some of the most useful and popular 
plants, such as Balsam, Celosia, Cockscomb, &c., and richly deserve attention where facilities exist for their cultivation, the 
seeds should be sown from February to April in pans or pots, and placed on a hot bed; or, during the young state, they may 
be treated similar to half-hardy annuals. Good light rich soil, with a liberal quantity of sharp sand, is essential. I rick oil as 
early as possible into single pots, and repot into larger sizes as required. Great care must be exercised in sowing the seeds, 
especially the smaller kinds. Water very sparingly to prevent damping off. Occasional waterings with weak liquid manure 
will assist the growth of the plants, but this should be discontinued when the blooms appear. 
BIENNIALS AND PERENNIALS.— Many in this section are extremely handsome, but do not flower the first year 
from seed, and on that account are frequently neglected. The hardy varieties may be treated similar to hardy annuals, sowing 
the seed from May to July, if possible in showery weather, selecting a shaded situation in preference to one exposed to the sun. 
When the plants are large enough, transplant into the beds where they are intended to flower. Early sowing is the best, as it 
enables the plants to become strong enough to stand the severe weather in winter, and to bloom early and freely the following 
spring and summer. The half-hardy kinds may, in a general way, be treated as tender annuals. If sown in gentle heat in 
February or March, they will flower the same year. 
MANURES FOR FLOWERING PLANTS. — All flowering annuals love phosphate and potash. As almost every 
soil in the middle and north of England is deficient in phosphate, we strongly recommend the application of 2 ozs. of Clibrans' 
Phosphate Manure to the square yard all over the flower beds during the winter or the early spring. Clays and strong loams 
are, as a rule, rich in potash ; but light loams and sands are but poorly supplied with it. On such soils, therefore, we advise, 
in addition to the application of the phosphate, a dressing of 2 ozs. of Clibrans' Potash Manure to the square yard at the same 
time as the Phosphate Manure is applied. The two can be mixed together without injury. Clibrans’ Nitrogen Manure should 
be used on flowering beds at the rate of 2 ozs. to the square yard whenever it is considered desirable to stimulate the growth 
of leaves and stem. 
