1861.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST, 
5 
rather delicate appearance, but hardy and desirable. 
Flowers fascicled (in bundles or clusters), tubular, borne 
on stalks 10 to 12 inches High. Continues in bloom until 
frost. Sow in early Spring and thin to 6 inches. 
No. 164. Sweet Scented Ageratum. — {Ageratum Mex- 
icaiium.) —A pale blue or white annual, desirable for bed¬ 
ding or massing. The plants may be taken up in Autumn 
and put in the conservatory or hot-house where they will 
continue in bloom during Winter. Sow in early Spi ing. 
No. 165. Cob<ea Scandens. —Coming from Mexico, this 
rampant perennial climber is not sufficiently hardy to en¬ 
dure our climate without the protection of a gteen-house, 
where it is more appropriately at home, and will run 200 
feet in a single season. Flowers bell-shaped ; large and 
of a purple color. Sow in the house, or in a hot-bed, in 
March or April, and plant out when the weather is settled. 
It will then flower freely during the Summer and Autumn. 
No. 166. Lobelia Gracilis.— A dwarfish perennial of 
4 to 6 inches in hight, with blue flowers. Of the same 
family as Cardinal Flower. The gracilis is little known 
in this country. Sow early in May. 
No. 167. Grand Flowering Malope. —( Malope Gran- 
dijlora.) —A fine annual, 2 to 3 feet high, with large rosy 
crimson flowers, blooming from June to October. Sow in 
a hot-bed and plant out in May, one foot apart, in rows 2 
feet distant. They will bloom later in the season when 
sown in the open ground in early Spring. 
No. 168. Swan River Daisy. — (Bracliycome iberidifolia.) 
—An annual of dwarf habit, growing 6 to 8 inches high, 
with dark blue, pink and white flowers which open from 
July to September. Suitable for massing. Sow in early 
Spring. 
No.*169. Beautiful Clarkia .—{Clarlcia pulchella.)— 
A hardy Rocky Mountain annual, of decided beauty, 
growing 1 foot high. Flowers light purple, opening from 
June to September. Sow last of April or first of May. A 
good border flower. 
No. 170. Evening Primrose. — (CEnothera biennis, ma- 
crocarpa, etc.) —Biennials of marked beauty, but not suf¬ 
ficiently known. Most of the species are low growing, 
with yellow flowers, some of which are 4 or 5 inches in 
diameter, and expand in the evening, whence the name. 
Sow in May, and transplant in October or November, set¬ 
ting 1 to 2 feet apart. Some species give a white bloom. 
Others assume a perennial habit. 
No. 171. Forget-Me-not.— ( Myosotis pahistris, arven- 
: is, etc.) —Low growing perennials with delicate flowers of 
light blue color, with white or yellow eyes. Blooms in 
spikes or clusters, frequently the same season of planting. 
Sow in early Spring. Grows 6 to 9 inches high. 
No. 172. Honesty ( Limaria biennis.) —A biennial, flow¬ 
ering the second season from seed. Remarkable chiefly 
for the transparent, oval, and thin seed covering, which 
remains a long time upon the plant, and, on account of 
its singularity, is much used in bouquets or collections of 
everlasting flowers, grasses, etc. Its flowers are large, of 
a purple color, and open early in the season. Sow in May. 
No. 173. Mixed Larkspurs ( Delphinium consolida ).— 
Annuals of white, rose, pink, blue, and variegated colors, 
growing from 2 to 3 feet high. Some of the species are 
double and very pretty. Flowers in spikes, for a long 
time in succession. Sow at any time in May or earlier, 
as they are very hardy. 
No. 174. Mixed Pansy ( Viola tricolor.) —“Heart’s 
Ease,” or “ Lady’s Delight ” is an old favorite. They 
are perennials, but when sown quite early, often bloom 
the first season. Some of the newer varieties are very 
large and pretty, with their variegated, violet striped, yel¬ 
low and pink flowers. In our latitude many of them are 
biennial, dwarf, and adapted for massing. 
No. 175. Mixed Salpiglossis ( Salpiglossis atropur- 
purea, atrococcinea, azurea, etc.)—Originally from Chili, 
where they are perennials, but with us they are biennials, 
or even annuals when sown early in frames, and after¬ 
ward planted in the open ground. They grow from 1 to 
2 feet high. 
No. 176. Tom Thumb Nasturtium ( Tropwolum na- 
num.) —Similar in flower and foliage to the Tropceolum 
majus, or large nasturtium, except in their dwarf habit, 
and compact bush form. Gay scarlet flowers, open from 
July until killed by frost. The seed capsules are used for 
pickling. Sow at any time in Spring, in rows 2 feet apart, 
and thin to 1 foot in the row. Annuals. 
No. 177. Quaking Grass ( Briza gracilis.) —Anamiual 
of 3 feet high, the nodding panicles of which are very cu¬ 
rious, much resembling the rattles of a rattlesnake, and 
when dried are handsome ornaments with other grasses 
or flowers. Seed may be sown in Autumn, or safer in 
early Spring. 
No. 178. Everlasting Pea ( Lathyrus latifolius.) —A 
perennial red flowering pea, growing 6 feet high, and re¬ 
quiring a trellis or other support. As the roots run deep 
in the ground, it is better to sow seed where it is to re¬ 
main. Blooms the second season. Some varieties have 
white, others dark red flowers. Sow at any time in 
Spring. It is ver> pretty. 
No. 179. Everlasting Flower (Xeranthemum annuum) 
—Annuals, some with purple, others with white flowers. 
Grows 2 feet high. The dry leaves of the calyx retain 
their form and color for years, like the globe amaranth. 
Sow in early Spring. Makes a fine border plant. 
No. 180. Centaurea ( jtmc.ricana .)—Purplish pink, or 
blue annuals, 2 feet high, discovered bv Nuttall on the 
Arkansas river. Flowers large, and quite pretty. Sow 
in April, and thin to one foot, in two feet rows. 
No. 181. Jacob’s Ladder. — (Polemonium album, cceru- 
leum, etc.) —Called Jacob’s Ladder from the leaflets upon 
each side of a common stem, suggesting a ladder. Grows 
1)4 to 3 feet high, with white and blue flowers. The ter¬ 
minal flowers are quite pretty, as they nod gracefully with 
every breeze. Sow in early Spring. They are perennials. 
No. 182. Sweet Alyssum. —( Alyssum maritimum.) — 
An annual,nearly 1 foot in hight, flowering in long racemes, 
from June to November, or until killed by frost. While 
and fragrant. Sow in early Spring and thin to 1 foot apart, 
unless massed, for which it is well suited. 
No. 183. French and German Asters.— Superb an¬ 
nuals, partly from varieties on exhibition at the Agricul¬ 
turist office as described on page 309, Vol. 19, (October 
No.) Some idea of their value may be gained from 
the fact that we paid $100 for three pounds of seed. As 
seed could only be had in limited quantities at any price, 
our packages will necessarily be small, as we wish to 
make 50,000 to 75,000 packages of them. Our collection 
includes 138 of the finest varieties, a considerable number 
of which will be found in each package given out. Sow 
at any time in May, in rows 18 inches apart, and thin to 6 
inches in the row. Flowers of nearly every shade : dwarf 
and giant, and )4 to 1 foot high. 
Seeds for Free Distribution in 1881. 
[S$?*See Remarks on Page 3.] 
Each subscriber for the twentieth volume of the American 
Agriculturist (1801) is invited to select four or floe parcels of 
seeds from the list given opposite—provided the following 
conditions be noted and complied with. 
A. It is of absolute importance that the following direc¬ 
tions he strictly^ carried out, even to the minutest particulars. 
IVe have 77 distinct varieties of seeds, to be distributed 
among 100,000 or more persons scattered all over the country, 
which at the best will involve immense labor, and occasional 
mistakes must unavoidably occur, unless each subscriber 
take special pains to facilitate the work. 
B. The seeds can be called for at the office, (after Feb. 20,) 
or be sent by express, or in ready prepared envelopes fur¬ 
nished by the subscribers, as described (E.) below. 
C. Subscribers at different points can estimate whether 
they can receive their seeds cheapest by Mail to separate in¬ 
dividuals, or in a package to the whole Club by Express. 
D. If to go by Express, no envelopes will be needed. In 
that case, simply send us a written list of the names, marking 
against each name the kinds of seed desired, using the num¬ 
bers in the Catalogue. Keep a copy of the list sent, and give 
particular directions on each list, how the package is to he 
forwarded, and to whom directed. 
E. If to go by mail, the applicant will (of course) furnish 
prepaid envelopes, of ordinary size, which should he prepar¬ 
ed as in the engraving here given—that is : Put the figures 
corresponding to the Catalogue 
plainlyonthe upper left hand of the 
envelop, and put all the postage 
stamps upon tire right side of the 
envelop, — one above the other, 
when two or more are needed, as 
shown in this pattern. Arranging the stamps thus, will 
prevent the seeds being crushed in the stamping process 
in the Post-Office. One ordinary ^envelop will generally 
hold the amount of seed - packages carried by two or 
three stamps. UST’ The amount of stamps can be calculated 
from the Catalogue. Single 1 -cent stamps on letters are of no 
value, unless there be even threes of them, as letter postage is 
rated by the half ounce. 
P. Let all letters referring to seeds, be as brief as possible, 
and yet plain. All such communications are referred direct¬ 
ly to the clerk superintending that department. It is espe¬ 
cially desirable that whatever relates to seed should he on a 
slip of paper, separate from subscriptions and other mattgr. 
(We shall probably distribute over five hundred thousand 
packages, and a minute’s time saved on each of these would 
amount to 833-working days—or nearly three years ! 
G-. Canada subscribers will need to substitute IT. S. 10- 
cent stamps (or money) in all cases where 3-cent stamps 
are named in the catalogue. When several persons send to¬ 
gether, it will usually be cheaper to receive seeds by Express 
(Postage is not necessarily prepaid here, on Canada letters.) 
H. Always put the stamps upon the envelopes, and not 
drop them loosely into the enclosing letter. 
I. It is always better to send envelopes of the ordinary 
size, and made after what is called the “Government pat¬ 
tern,”—that is, those in which the back comes fully up under 
the piece lapping over ; these seal up more firmly. This point 
is not essential, however. 
31 John Smith, K 
Albicc 
MonroeCaunty. 
Iowa. 3 > 
J. Usually, tlie lighter the envelop the better, that more 
seeds may go under the same stamps, 
K. Send only the number of stamps required for postage 
on the seed. 
B. Those forwarding unpaid envelopes, will, of course, not 
be disappointed if they do not return. We offer seeds free, 
hut can not, in addition, afford to pay postage also. 
M. All seeds sent by mail are put up at our country resi¬ 
dence, and eaclv package is there mailed direct, to avoid its 
being overhauled at the Distributing offices. 
N. S3?”We shall take time to mail all the seeds carefully 
and regularly. This will occupy the entire months of Janu¬ 
ary, February, and March. Those going to distant points, 
and where the seasons are earliest, will he mailed first. 
Seeds to California, Oregon and Washing¬ 
ton Territory.—The same regulations apply here as in 
the Eastern States. The postage will be only 3 cents per half 
ounce, as we shall send all such envelopes to he filled by a 
friend in California to whom all the seeds will he forward¬ 
ed by express, in bulk, in sealed tin cases, thus ensuring 
them safer carriage over the Isthmus, and saving postage to 
the recipients. 
LIST OF SEEDS. 
[Descriptive Notes upon these seeds are given in the 
preceding pages. The figures denote the order in which 
the seeds have been added to our Free Seed Catalogue. 
These numbers are upon all packages, seed drawers, etc., 
and are used in place of the names of the seeds.] 
Field Seeds. 
140—Imported Giant Wheat, requires X of a 3-cent stamp 
for postage on each package. 
3—Improved King Philip Corn—Single, double, or triple 
packages, as desired, requiring one, two, or three 
si amps. 
3—Stowell’s Sweet Corn.Same packages as No. 2. 
141—Darling’s Early Sweet Corn_Same packages as No. 2. 
143—Yellow Stone Turnip. y of a 3-cent stamp. 
143—Waite’s Eclipse Turnip. y, of a 3-cent stamp. 
98—Long Red Mangel Wurzel.One 3-cent stamp. 
101—Improved Long Orange Carrot. y. of a 3-cent stamp. 
Vegetable or Garden Seeds. 
8— Daniel O’Rourke Pea.Packages same as No. 2. 
9— Champion of England Pea.do. do. 
58—Napoleon Pea.do. do. 
130—Great Eastern Pea.One 3-cent stamp. 
13—Green Kohl Rabi..One-tliird of a 3-cent stamp 
13—Enfield Market Cabbage.do. do. 
145—Flat Dutch (Winter) Cabbage.do. do. 
14G—Early Battersea Cabbage.do. do. 
147— Neapolitan Cabbage Lettuce.do. do. 
148— Long dark Blood Beet.do. do. 
149— Extra early Bassano Beet.do. do. 
74—Solid White Celery.do. do. 
150— Early Paris Cauliflower.do. do. 
151— Yellow Danvers Onion.do. do. 
95—True Hubbard Squash.do. do. 
153—Fine large Cheese Pumpkin.do. do. 
153— Large Red Tomato.do. do. 
154— Ice-cream Watcr Melon.do. do. 
70— Skillman’s Netted Musk Melon. .".do. do. 
103—Sage.do. do. 
155— Long Cayenne Pepper.do. do. 
156— Summer Savory.do. do. 
157— Long Prickly Cucumber.do. do. 
17—Red Strap-Leaf Turnip.One. half of a 3-cent stamp. 
71— Long White French Turnip. .One 3-cent stamp. 
107—Giant Asparagus.do. do. 
Flower, Fruit, ancl Ornamental Seeds. 
89—Cotton Plant (2 kinds, mixed).one 3-cent stamp. 
Ill—Castor Oil Bean (Ornamental). y of a 3-cent stamp. 
On an average about five of the following varie¬ 
ties will go under a 3-cent stamp. 
160— Raspberry Seed.(for Experiments.) 
161— Currant Seed.do. do. 
163—Gooseberry Seed.do. do. 
163—Strawberry Seed.do. do. 
33—Mignonette, (a.) 166—Lobelia gracilis, (a.) 
35—Mixed Nasturtium, (a.) 
37—Extra Cockscomb, (a.) 
39—DoubleBalsams mix’d(o) 
30— Tassel Flower, (a.) 
31— Chinese Pink, (a.) 
33—Portulaccas, mixed, (a.) 
33—Cypress Vine, (a.) 
43—Foxglove, (b.) 
49—Candytuft, (a) 
51—Phlox Drummondii, (a.) 
86— Euphorbia, mixed, (a.) 
87— Coreopsis, (a.) 
133—Mixed Canterbury 
Bells, (b) 
133— Gilia nivalis, (a.) 
134— Whitlavia, (a.) 
136—Long-tubed Centran- 
thus, (a.) 
164— Sweet scented Agera¬ 
tum, (a.) 
165— Cobcea Scandens, (p.) 
a, annual— b, biennial—)), perennial. 
167— Malope Grandiflora, (a.) 
168— Swan River Daisy, (a.) 
109—Clarkia pulchella, (a.) 
170— Evening primrose, (6.) 
171— Forget me not, (p.) 
173—Lunaria biennis, (6.) 
173— Mixed brandling Lark¬ 
spur, (a.) 
174— Mixed Pansy, (p.) 
175— Mixed Salpiglossis (a.) 
176— Tom Thumb Nastur¬ 
tium, (a.) 
177— Ornamental Grass, (a.) 
178— Lathyrus latifolius, (q.) 
179— Xerantliemum annum, 
(a.) 
180— Cents urea Americana(a) 
181— Jacob’s Ladder, (p.) 
183—Sweet Alyssnni, (a.) 
183—Mixed Frencli and Ger¬ 
man Asters, (a.) 
Germination of Seeds. —It is stated by M. Andrft Le¬ 
roy, that seeds, naturally protected by a fatty or oily 
pulp, may be readily made to germinate by crashing the 
pulp in potash water, and then rubbing the seeds in fine 
sand. Those of Magnolias, Hollies, Yews, and the like, 
which will often lie in the ground for a couple of years 
without growing, while the outer pulp is decaying, are 
said to come up readily after having been thus treated. 
