ss 
JOSEPH BRECK & SONS 
(Corporation). 
dry litter. When the frost is out of the ground in spring remove the covering, loosen the soil around the 
plants, and when large enough transplant them to where they are permanently to remain. 
Half-Hardy Biennials (hliB.) and Half-Hardy Perennials (hhP.).—These may be sown in the open 
border as directed for hardy Annuals, but, when practical, it is generally better to start them in-doors, as 
recommended for half hardy Annuals. 
Tender Biennials (tB.) and Tender Perennials (tP.).—Accord these the same treatment as recom¬ 
mended for tender Annuals. 
Those to whom a greenhouse or hot bed is not available will meet with good success by placing 
the boxes or pots in the open sunlight in the windows of the dwelling house, and keep the temperature 
from 65 to 75 degrees during the day and 10 degrees less at night. If the soil was in proper condition at 
planting time, a slight sprinkling once a week will be sufficient until the plants begin to grow nicely. 
Greenhouse Seeds.— Some of these may be sown at almost any season of the year. Leaf mould, or 
peat, with some fine sand added, is the most suitable soil, and the shallow pots or boxes before recom¬ 
mended can be used. The smaller seeds of greenhouse plants are somewhat difficult to germinate unless 
extra care be taken with them ; they require to be slightly watered occasionally, and sheltered from the 
hot sun until large enough to transplant. Press the soil firmly down into the pot or box and make per¬ 
fectly level, so that no unequal settlement takes place through watering. The seeds should be sown thinly 
and covered very lightly with finely sifted spaghnum moss. A pane of glass placed over the pot or box 
until the little plants get well started is of decided benefit, but care should be taken to air occasionally, 
when excessive moisture is shown by water globules on the under side of the glass. When the young 
plants have two leaves they should be transplanted into a similar soil, in other pots or boxes. To do this 
do not pull them out one by one, but, if in a pot, remove the entire contents and break up gently ; if in a 
box, loosen by running a trowel around the side and take out a mass at a time, thus preserving the little 
roots which are so essential to their future welfare. After transplanting, keep in a shady part of the 
greenhouse and water sparingly until established, when they may be removed to the light. 
It is well to know that Poppies delight in a rich, sandy loam, that Eschscholtzias will do best in a 
poor soil ; or of Pansies, give them abundance of old manure, the richest earth you can find, plenty of 
water and partial shade ; that you need not be anxious if it is not convenient to carry water for Nastur¬ 
tiums in a dry time, for their habitat is dry Chili, and they will thrive in a dryer soil and atmosphere than 
almost any other plant; or that Zinnias like a heavy, cool clay ; Sweet Peas a deep, rich soil and plenty of 
water, while such gross feeders as Roses, Sunflowers, Hollyhocks, Dahlias and Asters cannot be planted in 
too rich a situation ; yet, 
"To raise your flowers, various arts combine, 
Study these well, and fancy’s flight decline; 
If you would have a vivid, vigorous breed, 
Of every kind, examine well the seed; 
Learn to what elements your plants belong; 
What is their constitution, weak or strong; 
Be their physician, careful of their lives, 
And see that every species daily thrives; 
These love much air, these on much earth rely; 
These, without constant warmth, decav and die; 
Supply the wants ot each, and they will pay 
For all your care through each succeeding day.” 
EXPLANATORY. 
Our General List of Flower Seeds, it will be found, is divided into the following groups, viz. : An- 
nualii, Perennials and Biennials; Climbers; Greenhouse Plants; Everlastings; Ornamental Grasses, etc. 
The botanical and common names are arranged in alphabetical order, and a very complete index will be 
found in front of book. The dash (—) designates the repetition of the name above it as applying to the 
variety to which the dash is prefixed ; the first column , following the name, denotes hardiness and dura¬ 
tion ; the second column , height in feet; the third column , color, or predominating colors; the fourth 
and fifth columns show the price per ounce and packet respectively; the sixth column gives brief descrip¬ 
tions or special notes on culture. To this arrangement and the following abbreviations we have given the 
most careful attention, and we trust that their simplicity will not only find favor with our customers, but 
prove valuable to them as a handy reference. 
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS. 
HA designates Hardy Annuals—Lasting but one year. 
hhA " Half Hardy Annuals—Lasting but one year. 
tA " Tender Annuals—Lasting but one year. 
hB " Hardy Biennials—Lasting two years. 
hhB " Half Hardy Biennials—Require protection during winter. 
hP “ Hardy Perennials—Lasting three or more years. 
hhP “ Half Hardy Perennials—Require protection during winter. 
tP “ Tender Perennials—Lasting three or more years, but require greenhouse protection during winter, 
t “ Biennials or Perennials that, if sown early, will bloom the first year. 
Trai., " Trailing Habit; and Var., Various. 
The abbreviations of colors are— 
bik,—black. crim.—crimson. var.—variegated, 
br.—brown. sul.—sulphur. scar.—scarlet, 
tri.—tricolor. lav.—lavender. spot.—striped, 
car.—carmine. pur.—purple. ver.—vermilion. 
In some instances when the flower is of two colors, these are indicated by the initial letters only,—for example, b&xv —blue and 
white; s&y—scarlet and yellow; w&p—white and pink. 
For Flower Seed Novelties, see colored pages. 
