PALMER SEED COMPANY, ST. LOUIS, MO. 
PALMER'S GUIDE TO PLANT CULTURE 
In order to insure the best success in growing plants from seed, you must have some 
knowledge of the varied cultural requirements of the differnt classes of plants. By 
following the PALMER CULTURAL CODES you may readily know just how and when 
to start any seed listed in this catalogue. These cultural codes have been adopted to 
furnish our readers with more detailed information on cultural requirements of plants. 
When referring to the cultural codes care must be taken to distinguish between the 
words “and” and “or”. If the code reads “Cultural Code A or C” it means that you 
have the choice of using either of the two methods described, or both. In most cases, 
if you use both methods you can materially prolong the blooming season of one type of 
plant by starting the seeds at different times. If it reads “Cultural Code A and L,” 
both methods must be used to have the best success with the plants. 
The keys to the following cultural codes may be found immediately under the 
heading of each type of flower seed listed in this catalogue. 
CULTURAL CODE A 
Plant seeds in the hotbed, greenhouse or indoors in February or early March. Most 
seeds planted at this time will require one transplanting before setting in their per¬ 
manent positions in the garden. As soon as the first true leaves appear on the seedlings 
they should be transplanted into boxes or pots to give them more space to develop. 
These plants should again be transplanted into the garden in May, when the ground 
warms up. 
CULTURAL CODE B 
Same as in “A” except that the seeds should be sown in early April. In this case 
the seedlings can be transplanted, directly from the seed bed to the garden as soon as 
the soil warms up. A coldframe may be used in place of a hotbed in which to start the 
seeds at this time. 
CULTURAL CODE C 
These plants do not respond to transplanting, so must be planted in May, where 
they are to grow in the garden. After the seedlings are up thin them out to allow 
each plant plenty of room to develop properly. Plants other than Portulacca, Alyssum, 
Lupine, Poppies and Climbers may be transplanted. 
CULTURAL CODE D 
The general cultural conditions are the same as in “A” except that extra precau¬ 
tions should be taken in handling extra fine seeded plants. In most cases the seed is 
broadcast lightly over the surface of a light sandy loam. As the fine seed is apt to be 
smothered with a covering of soil it is best not to cover the seed at all, but to cover 
the box or pot with a piece of glass to keep sufficient moisture about the seeds. The 
glass covering should be raised slightly from time to time to allow some air to circulate 
about the seeds and to prevent attacks of fungus diseases. As the seeds begin to germi¬ 
nate more air can be given them until the glass can be removed permanently*. Special 
care must be taken in watering the tiny seeds, for the strong spray of a sprinkling 
can might wash them out of the seed bed. Watering is best done with a rubber bulb 
sprinkler with a fine rose or by immersing the pot, if a pot is used, partially in a pan 
of water until the soil is saturated. 
CULTURAL CODE F 
Seeds are sown late in the summer (August or September) for the plants to be used 
as winter house plants. Care must be taken at this time to protect young seedlings 
from the hot sun by shading them somewhat during the heat of the day. 
CULTURAL CODE G 
Annual vines grow best when the seed is sown in a warm, light soil. They prefer 
a situation in full sunlight, and require little moisture. They will thrive in ordinary 
to poor soils. 
CULTURAL CODE H 
Same as in “C” except that the seeds can be sown in the garden in April or May. 
—-4 —- 
