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THE BEST FLOWERS FOR YOUR OWN GARDEN 
As you read through the following flower seed pages 
choosing the different kinds you want to have this summer, 
there may be some with which you are not familiar and do 
not know the proper time for sowing the seed. 
In such cases you can refer back to these pages and find 
the general method of sowing described below. These dif¬ 
ferent paragraphs are referred to directly under the head¬ 
ings of the different varieties such as “Culture A.” 
A section of one of our many greenhouses 
showing how we make soil tests in addition to 
those made in the electrical tester. This gives 
us a double check, so you know the seed is good. 
Sow seed evenly as shown on the right, not in 
bunches as on the left. 
A tray of different kinds of seed as it is re¬ 
moved from the tester for counting the per¬ 
centage which has sprouted. This is the per¬ 
centage which is put on every package. 
The box on the right shows the results of sowing 
just a little bit too deep. Both boxes were 
sown the same day. 
ANNUALS 
Culture A 
Flowers under this classification can be sown outdoors in the spring 
as soon as the weather and soil becomes warm. This is usually the last 
week in May and the first week in June in this location. Although any 
of these varieties may be started earlier indoors and later transplanted, 
if it is more convenient for you, it is not necessary if the seed is sown 
in good soil and a suitable location. 
Culture B 
A few flowers are much more satisfactory if the seed is sown real 
early. They need to get off to a good start before the hot weather. 
Such sowing can usually be done here about April 15th. If the seed is 
not sown until later, they will grow and bloom, but not as well. Flow¬ 
ers coming under this class can usually be sown in the early fall in well 
drained and well protected situations. 
Culture C 
It is really necessary to sow only a very few kinds of annuals in¬ 
doors in order to get good results. There are a few others that are 
usually more satisfactory to sow indoors if bloom is wanted all sum¬ 
mer. If you are not interested in having them bloom until early fall 
they could well be sown outdoors as in Culture A. 
Culture D 
Most annual vines can be sown outdoors in the early spring al¬ 
though some varieties do better if started earlier indoors. 
HARDY PERENNIALS 
Culture E 
All varieties of hardy perennials, except a few with very small seed, 
can be sown outdoors where the plants are to remain or sown sepa¬ 
rately in a seed bed and transplanted later. The sowing can be done 
any time from May until September 1st. We recommend spring sow¬ 
ing as the plants obviously will be larger and in better shape to go 
through the first winter. They will also flower more abundantly and 
earlier the next summer. 
Culture F 
When sowing varieties with very small seed, the new kinds, and 
those where you have only a very small amount of seed, it is usually 
more satisfactory to sow the seed in well prepared boxes or pots where 
it can be carefully watched and later transplant them. 
HARDY BIENNIALS 
Culture G 
With the exception of Culture G, the treatment is the same as for 
Hardy Perennials. 
Beilis, Forget-me-nots, Pansies and some other kinds seem to be 
the most satisfactory when the seed is sown in late July or early 
August for flowers the following spring. Pansies can be grown as 
annuals by sowing the seed in the spring for late summer bloom. 
HOUSE PLANTS 
Culture H 
So-called “house-plants” are those varieties generally used to add 
a most welcome cheer to the home during the long winter months. 
Such plants of your own growing also make ideal gifts. The seed is 
started indoors and grown on in pots. 
Cultural Directions With Every Order 
Very complete instructions for seed sowing are given on our special 
cultural leaflet that is included with every flower seed order. 
Directions for sowing are also printed on all flower seed packets. 
One of our electrically heated germination 
testers showing a tray of Sweet Pea seed 
being tested. 
A greenhouse box or flat sown with different 
flower seeds for a soil test. This is the same 
way in which seed is sown for growing plants. 
Notice how shallow and how evenly it is sown, 
with every row labelled. Over this is sprinkled 
a very thin layer of fine soil. 
This photograph will give you an idea of the 
comparative depth to sow seed. If sown in a 
trench like this, just roll a little of the soil in 
over the seed. 
“J have found your seed very satisfactory and lake 
pleasure in recommending it to my customers.” James D. 
Mahoney, Rockland, Mass. 
“ Have had very good luck with your flower seeds.” Mrs. 
Edward Rogers, Pennsgrove, N. J. 
“7 had splendid germination from the seeds I ordered 
from you last year.' 
Miss H. M. Davis, Horn Lake, Miss. 
“Other perennial seed received a few weeks ago are all 
germinating in good shape.” 
Lester S. Chilson, E. Boston, Mass. 
“ The seeds I ordered from you last year did very fine, 
almost every one I planted came up.” 
Mrs. V. D. Barbour, Dorset, Vermont. 
“I want to thank you for the excellence of your seeds. I 
have had excellent success with them. All you advertise 
Harry H. Galland, Chicago, III. 
“The seeds I got from you last year were truly wonderful: 
it seemed every seed germinated. The white Petunias were 
bells of glistening while and the Carnations such thrifty 
plants.” Mrs. F. J. Bliven, Crookston, Minn. 
“All your seeds came up beautifully, but I failed to pro¬ 
tect the double Nasturtiums. They were afoot high when 
the late cold snap caught them.” 
Mrs. A. Hardaker, New Orleans, La. 
OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE GOOD RESULTS WHEN THE SEED IS SOWN RIGHT 
and then better still.” 
