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[ AABLING ^^n^OYCEl 
SEED JJ OO. J 
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Fertilizers 
TREATMENT OF FLOWER SEED 
There are no more satisfactory flowers than those grown from seed, especially the easily grown 
and brilliant flowered annuals. The beautiful shrubs and lilies, of course, have their place, but are 
far more expensive than a paper of seed which will furnish a large number of plants with usually 
enough for one’s garden and some to spare. 
Aim to have your garden one artistic unit, with some flowers in bloom at all seasons, with colors 
which harmonize, and plants in size grading from the dwaft borders, to the bedding annuals, and 
then to the taller plants, which usually should stand next to the house or other conflnes of the garden 
or lawn. A garden carefully thought out and planted gives very much more pleasure than a hap- 
hazard one. 
A perfect garden could not be made from seed alone; the grounds must have some shrubbery for 
its permanent character. We have a nursery department, which supplies every need for private 
grounds of all dimensions; see our list of trees and shrubs in the succeeding pages of this guide. 
On the other hand no garden would be pretty or satisfactory which did not have a good number of 
flowers from our flower seed list most carefully chosen and placed in the garden. 
WHEN TO PLANT FLOWER SEED 
Perhaps you have noticed that many of the descriptions of flowers contain the words ’’annual,” 
“hardy annual,” “tender annual,” “perennial,” “tender perennial,” etc. These may have seemed to you 
tiresome descriptions, but properly understood they tell much about planting. 
KAIiP HABDT means the plant will stand any light frost, but needs protection against very cold 
weather. These should be planted in the spring (March and April), not in the fall. 
HARDY means the plant will stand considerable frost, or practically all we have on the Pacific 
Coast. "These may be planted in the fall or in the spring (October to May). If sown in the fall they 
will come into bloom earlier than if sown in spring, even if the plants do not make much progress 
during the cold weather. 
AHHUADS are plants that bloom the first year from seed, and the plant dies after one season. 
Tender annuals must be sown in spring (April to June) and hardy annuals may be sown In either 
spring or fall (October to May). 
BIEITNIADS are plants that bloom the second year from seed, and the plant dies after the second 
year. On the coast many of these will bloom the first year if sown eafly. Sow under same conditions 
as perennials. 
FERENHIADS are plants that bloom the second year from seed, and the plant lives and blooms 
during successive years. If sown in early spring (February to April 15) many perennials will bloom 
the first year from seed. Tender and half-hardy perennials are best sown in spring after frost is over 
(April 15 to June). Hardy perennials are best sown in the late summer and early fall (July to 
October) for next year’s fiowers. 
HOW TO SOW FLOWER SEEDS 
The success from sowing seeds depends upon three things, the right amount of water, of air. and 
of heat, which means practically have your soil right as to moisture and texture, your seed sow’n at a 
proper depth and where the sunshine can furnish the heat. Soil that is hard and going to bake is not 
right to start seeds in. Take such soil in the fall and spade in manure or leaf mould and let it rot 
for several months and then work up fine. In thespring add to a heavy, that is clayey, soil peat or 
decayed leaf mould, and sand (sharp, fresh-water sand), so that there is one-third loam, one-third 
sand, and one-third leaf mould. This makes an excellent soil for starting fine .seeds. For potting 
add a small amount of old sheep or cow manure. 
SEED IN THE OPEN 
Seeds of hardy annuals are sown directly in the bed where they are to remain, or they may be 
sown in boxes and transplanted. Have the ground well worked up and mixed with leaf mould, if needed. 
The soil should be well moistened, not wet and soggy, and not, by any means, dry when the seeds 
are sown. Put all medium-sized seeds at a depth of one-quarter to one-half inch. Sw’eet Jeas 
should go deeper. Very fine seeds should be pressed into the soil and a little sand sifted over them. 
Water more frequently if the seed is close to the surface, and if necessary protect with cheese- 
cloth while w'atering. Always press or fire the soil after sowing any seed. These seed are best 
.sown in the open so as not to be transplanted, Eschscholtzia, Nasturtium, Poppy ,also very many 
others, may be profitably so sown. 
If the seed be sown directly in the garden, it should be sown in the spring after the soil is well 
worked and when in moist condition. A slight depression should be made w'ith a stick, the seed sown, 
and w’hen covered w’ith sandy loam about twice the depth of the diameter of the seed. The seed will 
prevent the crusting over of the soil after watering. 
When up, the plants must be thinned from two to twelve inches, depending on the variety, other- 
wise they w'ill be w'cak and spindling. It is a common mistake in the garden to leave plants alto- 
gether too thick. Always keep the weeds out. 
SEEDS IN BOXES 
Always use care in getting a good loam as described. Use no manui’e in any seed box. Boxes 
4 inches deep and 18x24 inches is the usual size. See that the good drainage is provided by boring holes 
in the bottom, fill with the fine prepared soil which should be moist, but not wet enough to stick to- 
gether when squeezed with the hand. Sow the seed about one-quarter inch deep except fine seeds. 
Water, so as to keep the soil always just moist. Water carefully and regularly. A pane of glass over 
the box adds more heat, protects from draughts, prevents drying out, and is not necessary except for 
difficult seeds. 'The box should be in the sunlight. When the plants are in third or fourth leaf they 
should be picked out and reset in another box with plenty of room, for it is important that the plant 
be of god size, strong and sturdy, when finally transplanted in the garden. 
Another mistake in sowing flower, as well as other seed, is 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. Zin- 
nias, etc., one-quarter to one-half inch is the proper depth. Such fine seeds as Portulacas, Nicotiana,' 
etc., need onl yto 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 hdler annuals may be sown where they are to 
grow; but. often, it is preferable to transplant. Wwhen the seedlings are first sot out they should be 
watered fr'equently and should be protected from too much sunlight and from heavy rains. Provide 
some support from all such annuals as require it. 
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