ELLIS BBOTHEJtS’ CATALOGUE. 
47 
plovjL/er Seed. 
Our address books show customers that have steadily purchased their seed of us 
for ten, fifteen and twenty years. Surely this is a better recommendation than any 
puffy words of ours for the quality of the stock we sell. We are situated in northern 
New England. Seeds (and plants) which we can call hardy will prove so in nearly 
the whole country. It has also been proved that as a rule, northern stock can ^e 
carried south with improved results, while the reverse is the case when southern 
stock is brought north. We would also call attention to the fact that with our green- 
house facilities, we are enabled to test the germinating qualities of each variety, so 
that we know before placing any in packets that it will under fair conditions give to 
the buyer perfect satisfaction. To the many who will see our seed list for the first 
time, we would mention that the seed business is no new experiment, that we have 
dealt in seeds for twenty-seven years, and have a very large list of patrons over the 
entire United States and Canada. We would respectfully request a trial order. 
HOW TO SOW FLOWER SEED 
A shallow box is best to sow flower seed in. Make two or three holes in the bottom 
for drainage and fill nearly to the top with rich loam, witkout manure. Sow the seed 
evenly. Take two parts of pure sand to one of loam, and mix well. Place a small 
quantity of this in a fine sieve (it will not hurt your flour sieve if you have no other) ; 
do not shake it, but take one hand and rub the dirt through, watching the box, so as 
to cover it evenly. Small seed, like Petunia, Cineraria, etc., should be but slightly 
covered, while the larger ones, like Asters, Verbenas, etc., will do better if one-eighth 
of an inch of this fine covering material is used. Sprinkle after covering. Cut or 
fold a piece of cloth or paper the size of inside of box, wet, and lay directly on the 
earth ; this should remain till the seedlings are seen breaking through the ground, 
when it should be taken off, the box placed in a sunny window; not kept too wet, or 
they will damp off (rot at top of ground). As soon as the second leaves are well out, 
they should be transplanted into pots or boxes. Small quantities of weli decayed 
manure should then be used. Small seed sown in open ground should be covered but 
one-fourth to one-half inch deep ; sprinkle surface well after covering seed. Then 
cover entire surface of bed with old hay, grass, newspapers, or any covering material 
at hand ; leave it on bed till young plants begin to break ground, to come up. 
COLLECTION PACKETS. 
Our collections, if bought in separate packages, each kind or color by itself, would 
cost customers, at lO dts. per paper, from $i.ooto $2.50. We know of no other method 
by which so large a quantity of first-class seed can be sold for so small an amount of 
money. Each year we have sold more of these collections than on the preceding 
season, and at this time our sale warrants us in the assertion that there is not a more 
popular form of selling choice seed now in use in this country. Large quantities are 
sold to amateurs in every state, also in Canada, and besides this their reputation has 
brought us many florists as customers. Immense quantities of poorer seed are sold, 
/>ui none better. New customers are requested to give this class of seed a trial. 
