D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
71 
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 uniform 
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. K 
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 POSTPAID ON RECEIPT OF PRICE 
Half ounces will not be supplied of kinds which sell for less than 30 cents per ounce. 
ArrnrlJrnum (■ Everlasting ) A very pretty, half hardy 
uuHHum 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. 10c. 
Roseum. Light rose. Oz. 20c. ** 10c. 
Mixed. Seeds of the above varieties mixed. < >z. 20c.. “ 10c. 
A beautiful, hardy annual of neat 
bushy habit. The attractive leatherv 
flowers borne in dense (dusters arc 
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. 10c. 
Imperial Dwarf White. Height ten inches. Oz. 50c... “ 10c. 
Tom Thumb Dwarf Blue. Foredging. Oz. 50c . “ 10c. 
Mixed. Seeds of the above varieties mixed . “ lOc. 
Ageratum 
very useful for bouquets. 
jk 1 The annual varieties can be g... 
lirCClltTI very readily either outdoors or in 
xm.1 V wO Ulll the house and by cutting back the 
y o 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 1 sown outdoors in fall. 
Sweet i 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. 30c.' Pkt. 10c. 
Little Gem < Maritimum Compaction. 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. 60c.. Pkt. 10c. 
A *1 These plants afford brilliant 
/\marantnus contrasts color, being useful 
_ .. „ for tall borders, groups and 
roll age 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. Deep eoppery red foliage: very hardv 
•annual ... p'kt. lOc. 
Tricolor. A hardy annual with leaves of red. yellow ami 
green: well known as “Joseph’s Coat.” Especially brilliant 
if grown in rather poor soil. Oz. 30c .pkt 10c 
