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Germain Seed Company, 326-330 South Main St., Los Angeles, Cal. 
Germain’s 
High-Grade Flower Seeds 
A FEW CULTURAL SUGGESTIONS 
The use and growth of flowers, especially, marks the progress of individuals and nations, 
the greatest nations of the earth being those with whom the love of Horticulture most prevails. To 
the lover of flowers, what can be more interesting than to sow the seed, water and otherwise 
care for the growth and development of the plant, and at last enjoy the expansion of the flower? 
'VVv^ cl< i eS mV 10 sensc of proprietorship of the purchaser of flowers compare to that of the grower 
of them. The latter feels that they are verily his own, the results of his fostering care. Among 
the flowers which may be grown with a minimum amount of care and expense are those varieties 
which reproduce themselves from seeds. They are classed as Annuals, Biennials and Perennials, and 
these are subdivided into Hardy, Half-hardy and Tender varieties of each class. 
Hardy Annuals are those plants which may be sown in the 
duce seed and then die. 
Half-Hardy Annuals are those varieties which require an even temperature of at least 60 
grees to germinate the seed, and will not stand frost; consequently they must not be 
open ground during the fall or winter months, and not in spring till April, 
those to follow who wish to sow this class is to wait for the proper weather 
to sow corn, melon or pumpkin seeds. 
Tender Annuals are those that require greenhouse protection, as Calceolaria, etc.: the seeds 
are usually very fine, and it requires skill and care to raise them. 
Hardy Biennials are those that flower the second year from sowing the seed and then die 
Hardy 1 ereunlals are among the finest of our border plants. They do not usually flower 
the second year after sowing, but may be relied upon to produce larger clumps of flowers 
by year for many years. 
Half-Hardy Perennials are those which require some protection during the coldest weather 
as they will not stand frost. 
open air. They grow, flower, pro- 
de- 
sown in the 
A good rule for 
and season in which 
till 
year 
lender Perennials are those species that require greenhouse or other protection during the 
greater Part or the year, as they are, generally speaking, natives of tropical countries. 
i he best time to sow Hardy Annuals is in the fall months, as they will make much stronger 
plants and flower much more abundantly when wintered over. They may be sown in any 
finely-prepared shady border, and transplanted when large enough, to where they are to flower. 
Do not cover the seeds too deep. A good rule is to cover each seed its own depth with soil at 
the same time taking care to water carefully. Never water so much that the soil gets “soggy” 
i. e., saturated; nor ever let the top get dry. Most varieties will germinate within ten days. 
they may also be sown at any time during the spring months for summer blooming, care 
being taken to shade the young plants after transplanting, in hot weather. 
Half-hardy Annuals ma y sown in April out-of-doors, or in boxes, in March or earlier 
If In boxes, they should be covered or removed under cover during the night-time and during 
heavy rains. Those who have hotbeds may sow the seed in February and grow the plants in 3- 
inch pots for planting outdoors in April, thus gaining two months on those who have not 
this advantage. (See instructions for making hotbeds in calendar of operations.) If sown in 
boxes, the boxes should have an inch of rough soil or gravel at the bottom for drainage; the 
remainder of the box should be filled within an inch of the top with sifted, light, rich soil fiVmlv 
pressed, and the seed should be sown, covered its own depth with soil, again pressed and watered. 
When the young plants are large enough to be handled, prick out into other boxes, planting 
them about 1 inch apart, and, when weather permits, they should afterwards be planted in the 
open ground in the place where they are to flower. 
Tender Annuals should be sown in pots as follows: Take a 5- or 6-inch flower pot put 
an inch of drainage in the bottom, then 2 inches of finely-sifted soil, firmly pressed, with a sprink¬ 
ling of sand on top. Then sow the seed, and do not cover, but press into the soil. Water with 
a very fine sprinkler, and cover the top of the pot with a sheet of glass. Remove the glass for 
an hour daily to dry up the damp. When seedlings appear, gradually harden them off to the 
air. As soon as they can be handled, prick out into 2-inch pots, and shift again when necessary. 
Hardy Biennials and Perennials should be sown in September. Many varieties, if sown then, 
will flower the next year. If sown in spring they will not flower till a year later. They may be 
sown in a shady border, and, when large enough, transplanted to where'they are to remain. 
Half-hardy and Tender Perennials should be sown in boxes, and treated as recommended for 
Half-hardy Annuals till plants appear, when they should be pricked into 2-inch pots, and shifted 
afterwards when necessary. 
We have arranged our list of flower seeds according to the various classes: Annuals, in¬ 
cluding separate lists of Everlasting Flowers and Ornamental Gourds; Climbers, Annual and Per¬ 
ennial; Biennials and Perennials; Ornamental Grasses, Annual and Perennial. 
ABBREVIATIONS. Hli means Hal f -hardy, Annual or Perennial; T means Tender, Annual 
or Perennial. When no abbreviation is used, the variety will prove hardy in this climate. The 
letter B affixed to a variety means that it is useful for bouquets and cut-flowers. 
