D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
65 
A DESCRIPTIVE LIST 
= OF = 
CHOICE FLOWER SEEDS 
WITH GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTIVATION 
M OST flowering plants will live in almost any soil, but to give them a fair chance to develop, some care 
should be taken to make the ground suited to their needs. The soil best adapted for flowering plants 
generally is a light, friable loam, containing a sufficient amount of sand to render it porous. Many 
flowers are better if produced on plants of vigorous growth, hence a portion of the garden should be prepared 
by deep digging, thorough pulverization and liberal enriching with large quantities of well-rotted manure. 
Since some other varieties produce the largest and finest colored flowers when grown on rather light, poor 
soil, a portion of the garden should not be enriched. 
Cultural directions are given on the packets, and we urge purchasers to study them carefully. While 
some seeds need special treatment, the following general rules will apply to all. Make the surface of the soil 
as fine, smooth and level as possible; do not plant when the ground is wet; cover each lot of seeds to a uni¬ 
form depth, which should not be more than four to six times the diameter of the seed; press the soil firmly 
over the seed; plant in rows so that the starting plants can be seen easily; thin out the young plants to prevent 
crowding and keep entirely free from weeds. 
Very small seeds, such as Portulaca, Canterbury Bell, Foxglove, Petunia, etc., should be merely sprinkled 
on the surface of the ground, after making it quite smooth with the back of the spade, and barely covered with 
fine sifted, light, mellow soil and afterwards protected from the scorching sun and heavy rains by a cloth, mat 
or some green branches stuck around them. If the weather, after sowing, should be dry, it will be necessary 
to water the places, where the seeds are sown, with a fine spray, regularly, but slightly, every evening, as it 
is essential that the seeds, during the process of germination, should be kept constantly moist. From a neglect 
or oversight of this arise most of the failures. As the process of germination is shorter or longer in the 
different kinds of seeds, the patience of the cultivator is often sorely tried with the seeds of a slowly germi¬ 
nating character. 
Plants are usually divided into three classes, Annuals, Biennials and Perennials. Annuals are plants 
which normally live but a single season. Biennials are plants living two years; particularly those which do 
not bear flowers and fruit until the second season. Perennials tend to live from year to year. 
ALL FLOWER SEEDS SENT 
Send us $1.00 and select PACKETS to the value of.$1.15 
“ 2.00 “ “ 44 ** . 2.35 
" 3.00 44 “ 44 44 . 3.60 
POSTPAID ON RECEIPT OF PRICE 
Send us $4.00 and select PACKETS to the value of.$4.85 
“ 5.00 “ “ “ “ . 6.15 
4i 10.00 44 44 “ 44 .12.50 
These Rates apply only to Seeds in Packets, but not to Seeds by Weight. 
No discount can be allowed on Flower Seeds by Weight. 
Half ounces will not be supplied of kinds which sell for less than 30 cents per ounce. 
A _l; ; ( Everlasting) A very pretty, half hardy 
Acrocimium annual producing white and rose colored, 
double daisy-like flowers, about one and one-half inches in 
diameter. Each flower-head is borne singly on a very long stem; 
leaves small, narrow, alternate. These are ‘‘Immortelles” so 
desirable for wreaths and winter bouquets. 
Sow the seed in open ground early in spring, preferably in 
light, well prepared soil, and cover with one-fourth inch of fine 
soil firmly pressed down. Thin the young plants to four inches 
apart. Height fifteen inches. 
Album. Pure white. Oz. 20c. Pkt. 5c. 
Roseum. Light rose. Oz. 20c. 44 5c. 
Mixed. Oz. 20c. ‘ 5c. 
4 - A beautiful, hardy annual of neat 
A T11TT1 bushy habit. The attractive feathery 
flowers borne in dense clusters are 
very useful for bouquets. Very desirable for outdoor bedding 
and borders, being covered with bloom nearly all summer. 
Sow outdoors after danger from frost is over; or for earlier 
blooming start under glass and transplant. Cover the seed with 
one-eighth to one-fourth inch of fine soil firmly pressed down. 
Mexicanum. Light blue; about two feet high. Oz. 30c. Pkt. 5c. 
Imperial Dwarf White. Height ten inches. Oz. 50c- " 5c. 
Tom Thumb Dwarf Blue. Foredging. 5c. 
Mixed. Seeds of the above varieties mixed. 44 5c. 
a <■ The annual varieties can be grown 
yV l vrA Aiiw% very readily either outdoors or in 
IVSSIUXI the house and by cutting back the 
A ^ v ^ plants properly an almost constant 
succession of bloom may be had. Seed can be sown in open 
ground very early in spring, or may also be sown outdoors in fall. 
Sweet ( Maritimum ) This very hardy annual for borders, edg¬ 
ing or massing in small beds, comes into bloom early in the 
spring, covering itself with clusters or trusses of small, pure 
white cruciform flowers. They have a peculiar, delicate fra¬ 
grance and are useful in small bouquets. Usually not over 
eight inches high but spreading. Oz. 25c. Pkt. 5c. 
Little Gem {Maritimum Compactum, Carpet of Snow) A 
beautiful white sort for edgings, borders and rock work. The 
plants grow about six inches high, produce hundreds of flowers 
and form a compact mass of bloom usually fifteen to eighteen 
inches across. Hardy annual. Oz. 40c. Pkt. 5c. 
ANTIRRHINUM —(See Snapdragon) 
AQUILEGIA —(See Columbine) 
Amaranthus 
These plants afford brilliant 
contrasts of color, being useful 
for tall borders, groups and 
foliage effects. The leaves and stems are of different shades 
of red, blended usually with green; two to three feet high. 
Seed may be sown in open ground early in spring, covering 
one-fourth inch deep; thin two to three feet apart. 
Melancholicus ruber. 
nual. 
Deep coppery red foliage: very lmrdy an- 
.Pkt. 5c. 
Tricolor. A hardy annual with leaves of red. yellow and green; 
well known as “Joseph’s Coat.” Especially brilliant if grown 
in rather poor soil. Oz. 25c. Pkt. 5c. 
Anpmnnp Coronaria ( Wind Flower) Among the 
rTllClIIUIiv earliest of spring flowers. They are about 
two inches across, wit h blue stamens, resemble the single poppy 
in shape and come in several shades of color. The foliage is 
deeply cut. 
Sow from April to August. Succeeds well in rich, light 
loam, in a sunny situation. Plants taken up in the fall will 
bloom well in pots in the winter. Hardy perennial; outdoors 
about six inches high. Single Mixed.Pkt. 5c. 
A »•» Vtic Among the earliest blooming plants. Very useful 
r\i aUlo for rock work, edgings, etc. Sow early in spring. 
Some winter protection is advisable. Hardy procumbent 
perennial. 
Alpina. This sort has small pure white, cruciform flowers. 
Leaves rather slender, somewhat clasping, small-toothed and 
pubescent.. Pkt. 5c. 
4 The ornamental varieties of as- 
iJL V5I GT11Q paragus are highly valued for their 
* aOj^CAl LIO finely cut foliage. Doth the climb¬ 
ing and trailing sorts are exceptionally attractive. 
Soak seed in warm water before planting. When the plants 
are large enough to handle, transplant into rich, but open and 
friable soil. 
Sprengeri ( Emerald Feather) A most graceful house plant; 
valuable for hanging baskets. Sprays three to four feet long; 
light green. Oz. 75c. Pkt. 5c. 
Verticillatus. A beautiful climber with feathery foliage and 
scarlet berries which are quite ornamental. Sow early in 
spring. Hardy perennial; ten to fifteen feet high- Pkt. 10c. 
