TAIT’S 
FLOWER AND BULB CATALOG IS ISSUED EVERY 
AUGUST, AND CONTAINS A SELECTED LIST OF 
PERENNIAL FLOWER SEEDS 
HYACINTHS 
CROCUS 
GIANT 
DARWIN TULIPS 
WRITE FOR YOUR FREE COPY! 
NARCISSUS 
PEONIES 
Gardeners in the Southern States who have been successful with vegetables, roses, shrubs or bulbous plants, often make a 
serious mistake when they begin the cultivation of flowers from seed. Instead of ascertaining the kinds best suited to the 
climate of the Southern States they are apt to make a selection at random from some comprehensive list which describes the 
flowers as they are in their perfection. Meeting with failure for this reason, they become discouraged, and perhaps abandon 
what might have become one of the most intense of their pleasures. In the arrangement of this list it has not been our en¬ 
deavor to secure variety at the expense of discrimination, but it will be found to contain most of those which are of real 
value in the South. 
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR SOWING FLOWER SEED 
SOWINGS IN THE OPEN GROUND 
Hardy.—The varieties designated as Hardy may be sown as early as the 10th of March, unless the season is backward. 
Half-Hardy.—Those which are Half-Hardy should not be risked until the ground becomes warm under the surface; about 
the middle of April in ordinary years. 
Tender .—A few are marked Tender, and they may be sown during May. 
In sowing flower seed a very common mistake is made in covering them too deeply. The seeds are, as a rule, extremely 
small, many almost as fine as dust, and a safe rule is to cover them their respective thickness. This is best done by simply 
pressing them into the soil, which must be finely pulverized, with the palm of the hand or a board. 
Some varieties have seeds large enough to produce a vigorous root, and such may be covered from one-quarter to one- 
half inch, according to their size. 
Never fail to press the earth firmly over the seeds, and a piece of bagging laid on the bed will prevent excessive evapora¬ 
tion or damage from washing rains while the seeds are germinating. As a general rule, it is unwise to water the earth in 
which seeds have been sown until the plants appear. If, however, the earth is watered, it should be done with a very fine 
hose that will make a mist. 
Hardy annuals may be sown where they are to bloom, but, unless otherwise cautioned, it is always preferable to trans¬ 
plant. 
The height which each variety may be expected to attain is included in the description as a guide to the most effective 
arrangement when different kinds are placed in the same bed or border. The taller flowers should be placed in the rear to 
avoid the choking of the smaller and less vigorous kinds. 
INDOOR SOWINGS 
For those who have neither greenhouse nor conservatory, and desire early flowers, we advise shallow boxes filled with 
rich, loamy soil, and placed in a warm window as the best method of starting flower seeds. The boxes should be covered 
with panes of glass until the seeds have germinated, to prevent evaporation. As the plants grow, give plenty of air and sun¬ 
light and avoid excessive watering. When large enough to handle, transplant into new boxes or pots, so as to have strong 
plants ready to go in the garden when danger from frost is past. 
ANNUALS attain full growth from seed, flower and die in one year. 
BIENNIALS grow from seed one year, bloom and die the next. Some varieties bloom the first season when sown early. 
PERENNIALS last for several years, blooming annually after the first season, though some varieties will bloom the first 
year if sown early. 
SEE FLOWERS THAT PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT, PAGES 64 AND 65 
Remember we deliver free at catalogue prices—except where noted. Write for special prices in large quantities* 
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