JOSEPH BRECK & SONS 
_ (Corporation ) 
57 
BRECK’S HIGH GRADE FLOWER SEEDS 
Our carefully revised list of species and varieties of 
merit, contains chiefly those of comparatively easy cul¬ 
ture. A small sum expended for seeds of any of these 
plants will bring full measure of enjoyment and satis¬ 
faction to the purchaser. In general, the finest garden 
effects are produced by mass-displays, especially where 
the plants are set in borders or where the flowers will 
have backgrounds of shrubbery. The best use of indi¬ 
vidual specimens is in pot-culture. The present tendency 
in this country to bring hardy perennials into more gen¬ 
eral cultivation is encouraging, for it attests an increasing 
love of flowers among the people, but this trend should 
in no way cause annuals to decline in popular favor. 
Both groups are indispensable; the perennials for per¬ 
manent effects; the annuals for variety. 
HALF-HARDY PERENNIALS AND BIENNIALS.—It is 
usually best to start seeds of these plants indoors, but 
they may be sown in the open like those of hardy varie¬ 
ties. 
STARTING PLANTS INDOORS.—Any fine, sandy loam 
will answer, but if possible make a mixture of equal parts 
of light soil, leaf-mould and sand. Boxes, two or three 
inches deep, shallow pots, and seed pans,—filled to one- 
third their depth with small pieces of broken pots or 
other coarse material, to insure good drainage—are satis¬ 
factory containers; fill them within about three-fourths 
of an inch of the tops, pressing the soil down firmly, and 
water thoroughly a day before sowing. Distribute the 
seeds evenly but not too thickly, cover not over an eighth 
of an inch deep, and press the soil down upon them with 
the hands or a piece of board; then water with fine spray. 
It is a good plan to cover each seed pan or flat with a 
sheet of newspaper, until after germination, to prevent 
the soil from drying out too rapidly, but see to it that 
plenty of air gains admittance. Keep in a sunny window 
near the glass in a temperature of from 60 to 70 degrees; 
water carefully when necessary, and before the seedlings 
begin to crowd transplant into two-inch pots or set them 
an inch or more apart each way in other shallow boxes or 
pans. It may be necessary to transplant a second time 
before the weather is suitable for setting out. 
OUT-OF-DOOR CULTURE 
PREPARATION OF THE SOIL.—Needless to say, thor¬ 
ough preparation of the soil is the first essential of 
successful flower-culture. Choosing a sunny situation, 
dig the ground deeply and mix plenty of manure or fer¬ 
tilizer with the soil, raking out all loose stones and tufts 
of roots or grass. When the surface is smooth and firm, 
the bed is ready for planting. 
SEED SOWING. — Seeds should be sown in pulverized 
soil and covered lightly to a depth equal to about three 
times their diameter. Exceedingly small seeds often do 
not need covering; pressing them into the soil with a 
board is sufficient. 
SUBSEQUENT CARE. — After the seed is sown little care 
is required beyond occasional watering and weeding, with 
enough loosening of the soil so that the plants may 
receive the full benefit of rains and dews. 
HARDY ANNUALS.—Plants of this class are of the sim¬ 
plest culture. Seeds should be sown out of doors as 
early in spring as the ground can be prepared properly. 
Frequently a second sowing is made a week or two later, 
to insure a longer flowering-season. 
HALF-HARDY ANNUALS.—The seeds of these plants 
require a higher ground-temperature for germination 
than the preceding, hence they should he sown later, — 
usually during the latter part of May. 
TENDER ANNUALS.—These seeds are sown indoors 
about March 1st, and the plants set out in the garden 
when the ground is thoroughly warm and the weather 
settled. 
HARDY PERENNIALS AND BIENNIALS.—These may 
be treated like Hardy Annuals; or the seeds may be sown 
in July or August and the plants covered, after frost sets 
in, with a light litter of leaves or straw. 
