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 floriculture 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? What does the sense of proprietorship of the purchaser of flowers com¬ 
pare 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 sub¬ 
divided into Hardy, Half-hardy and Tender varieties of each class. 
Hardy Annuals are those plants which may be sown in the open air. They grow, flower, produce seed and 
then die. 
Half-Hardy Annuals are those varieties which require an even temperature of at least 60 degrees to germinate 
the seed, and will not stand frost; consequently they must not be sown in the open ground during the fall or 
winter months, and not in spring till April. A good rule for those to follow who wish to sow this class is to wait 
for the proper weather and season in which 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 Perennials are among the finest of our border plants. They do not usually flower till the second year 
after sowing, but may be relied upon to producelarger clumps of flowers year by year for many years. 
Hali-iiaray Perennials are those which require some protection during the coldest weather, as they will not 
stand frost. ’ J 
Tender Perennials are those species that require greenhouse or other protection during the greater part of the 
year as they are, generally speaking, natives of tropical countries. & F ' . 
t0 t ? 0W Hardy Annuals is in the fall months, as they will make much stronger plants and flower 
5 W t ei l wintered over. They may be sown in any finely-prepared shady border, and trans- 
eaeh seed its owrf ° are t( ? flower. Do not cover the seeds too deep. A good rule is to cover 
? fl e P th with soil, at the same time taking care to water carefully. Never water so much that the 
Tbev mav g alsn hp «nwn Ur f ted; ?. or ev A er . let tbe to P get dry. Most varieties will germinate within ten days, 
the young plants after transplanting”!'hT^eather Prmg " 10nthS SU ™ mer bloomin S’ eare bein S taken to shade 
»ho ™1° W “ in f P1 ' n # f l>f : dom ’ or in boxes - in March or earlier. If in boxes, they 
mav sow the seed in Febrnarv C ° V +£, du ^ m f tbe night-time and during heavy rains. Those who have hotbeds 
months on those who have not this g *j° W tbe P la ^ s ^ 3-inch pots for planting outdoors in April, thus gaining two 
If sl.wn “n boxesTheWe,making hotbeds in calendar of operations.) 
the box should be filled within an inr»h ° f Sod 0r grav(d at the bottom for drainage; the remainder of 
afte st\ntattho;m e b°e pe s n oir nd n ? iS weather pepmits ’ they should 
the bottom, then 2 inches of flnely T -sifted > °soii aS fimlvT 1 r : ess a d e ° r 6 ' in ? h flowerpot, put an inch of drainage in 
seed, and do not cover, but press into the soil ’ d ’ Wlt ? a s P? nklln ^ of sand on top. Then sow tb ® 
a sheet of glass. "Remove the e-lass for an ’hnlf / )T tb a J ery flne sprinkler, and cover the top of the pot with 
harden them off to the air. As soon as^thev can '-Y the damp ’ When seedlin S s appear, gradually 
necessary. S tbey can be handled > prick out into 2-inch pots, and shift again when 
next year. If sown in spr^g^he^wiH^notliower ru ^ ^ ep1 j ember< Many varieties,.if sown then, will flower the 
large enough, transplanted to where they are to remain'^ ater ‘ They may be S ° Wn in a shady bordpr ’ and ’ when 
Annuals till plants appear, sho^ldbe nHck^rf• Q 0xes ’ and treated as recommended for Half-hardy 
We have arranged our listof flo^er^sYed s^accordf n P ° tS ; and shifted af Awards when necessary, 
of Everlasting Flowers and Ornamental Gourds- Glimwf T ariou ® cla sses: Annuals, including separate lists 
Ornamental Grasses, Annual and Perennial ’ Climbers, Annual and Perennial; Biennials and Perennials; 
When no abbreviation is used, theY^rYetwwin^nrm/I ^ ni l ua ! or Perennial; T means Tender, Annual or Perennial, 
that it is useful for bouquets and cut-flowers, ^ e ardy in climate. The letter B affixed to a variety meau$ 
n 
