m 1 3 ,933 
UBR. A ny 
new y c , 
botanical 
o+R&ais 
The first number of the Florae Guide for 1876 we present to our 
readers with a good deal of pleasure. We have made an important change, 
and one we think greatly for the good of our readers, and yet perhaps all will 
not agree with us. For many years the first number of the Guide has been 
almost entirely made up of descriptions of flowers and vegetables, with their 
prices. This was repeated every year, with such alterations from time to 
time as experience taught us to be necessary. Such a course seemed unwise, 
as we felt quite sure we could occupy the space much more profitably with 
fresh matter, than by telling the same old story annually. In view of the 
change then determined upon, last year we made, at very great labor and 
expense, an entirely new arrangement of matter in the first number of the 
Guide, as all our readers must have observed. The priced list of seeds, etc., 
was separated from the descriptions, and the first hundred pages made in fact 
a book on Flowers and Vegetables , and we flatter ourselves as plain and 
instructive and interesting and truthful as any book to be procured, even at 
ten times its cost. Its teachings and descriptions will be good for years, so 
that all who have this number will not need a duplicate copy, and would not be benefited should 
we send them another, even with a new date. These numbers are preserved everywhere, as they 
should be. A list of prices for the present year, of all seeds, bulbs, etc., with brief descriptions, will 
be found at the end of this number, and called our Priced Catalogue. 
There are, however, a few persons in the world who have not taken the Floral Guide, and 
know nothing of its merits. This will be rather startling news to some of our old readers, but we 
can assure them that we are serious in the remark, and that it is true, to the best of our knowl¬ 
edge and belief. For the benefit, then, of those who have thus far so forgotten their true interests 
as to neglect to read the Guide, we have enlarged and improved the first number of last year, 
added four beautiful new chromo plates, being groups or bouquets of flowers representing the 
different classes, as a group of Annuals , Perennials , Flowers of Tender Bulbs and of Hardy 
Bulbous Flowers, making four elegant and truthful groups of flowers. The whole book makes 
about one hundred and fifty pages, and we sell it in paper covers at 35 cents, and in fine cloth 
covers at 65 cents. We call it Vick’s Flower and Vegetable Garden. 
The Floral Guide is published as usual, at 25 cents a year, and free of charge to customers 
who trade with us to the amount of one dollar or more. 
The Priced List is sent free to all who apply, and a copy is attached to both the Flower 
and Vegetable Garden, and the first number of the Floral Guide. 
1 
