SWEET VIOLET SEED. 
Many persons write us for Violet seed, thinking they can obtain seed that will grow the double 
fragrant violet, so desirable in the spring. The truth is, the double Violet bears no seed, and 
plants must be procured by those who wish to possess this flower. The single Violet gives seed, 
but even this must be sown about as soon as ripe, or it will not grow. It is quite common to see 
Violet seed advertised, and we believe it is usually kept for sale at the stores which take seeds on 
commission, to be returned if not sold. Not one seed in a bushel, however, will grow, and if by 
accident one should germinate, the possessor would be sorry when he saw the flower. When 
persons, therefore, order Violet seed, we often reserve the order until the proper season and for¬ 
ward a few plants. The following letter from Mrs. Adams, of Keyterville, Mo., is about like 
several hundred more that we found in our letter basket, when examining our correspondence 
with a view to answering inquiries in the present number: 
Jas. Vick — Dear Sir : — I sent to you for seeds some time ago, and among other kinds, sent for Siveet Violet 
seeds, although they were not advertised In your catalogue. I had bought seed, so called, out of the stores, but 
could not get them to grow. The seeds came, all but the Violet seeds, but on referring to the catalogue, I found 
that I had got more than my money's worth, and was very much pleased. Judge of my delight, and of my two 
little boys, when yesterday a package was brought to us from Jas. Vick, containing some beautiful Violet plants, 
and if you could have seen the thankful and happy faces there were around that cluster of sweet Violets, you 
would realize the old, true saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive." Accept, therefore, many thanks 
for your kindness. — M. C. A. 
Readers will please not mistake the Pansy for the Violet, as the Pansy grows freely from seed. 
The Sweet Violet is Viola odorata , while the Pansy is Viola tricolor. 
The Italian Onions in the South. —When traveling in the south of Europe during the 
summer of 1871, we first saw the magnificent new Italian Onions, and our first thought was that 
they would prove a great blessing to the Southern States of America. We at once engaged all 
the seed obtainable, and for trial sent it free to many persons in every Southern State, asking only 
a report of success or failure at the end of the season. As we anticipated, the reports were favor¬ 
able, so that the next season we felt justified in adding these to our list of valuable seeds. We 
have had enthusiastic letters from hundreds of our customers every year, and as a sample, give 
one received from L. S. Marshall, of South Bend, Ark., about the first of July last: 
Mr. Vick: — The Italian Onion seed purchased of you last fall has done well. I have Onions now that beat 
anything I ever saw of the onion kind, and they arc drawing a great deal of attention from the people in this part 
of the country. People come here and get them and carry them to Little Rock and many other places. Since 
writing the above, I have been to my Onion bed and pulled one Onion that measures seven inches across and 
weighs three and three-quarters pounds, and I do know that I have had this year those that would have weighed 
four pounds. — L. S. M. 
Large Balsams. —Wc like to have our customers make a specialty of some flower, and the 
Balsam is a beautiful subject. S. T. Brosius, of Missouri, writes, Aug. 4th: 
Mr. Vick : — I wish to thank you for the packet of “Spotted German Balsam " seed you sent me last spring. I 
planted them May 1st in the seed bed and transplanted about June 1st, and they are now just past the “biggest 
point" in blooming. Every one votes them the finest Balsams they ever saw, and they are fine. I gave away 
about twenty, and they are every one double, and some very double ; counted twenty-four leaves or “petals" on 
one flower, and one I measured, and it was three and one-eighth inches across, by the square —the largest Bal¬ 
sam I ever saw, and as double as any rose. Think I will invest some money in Balsam seed next year. I never 
took much interest in flowers until this summer.— S. T. B. 
The Petunia in Texas. — Mr. G. Onderdonk, after relating his unexpected success with 
the Dahlia in the warm climate of Texas, says, in a recent letter : “ My Petunias, the seed of 
which was sown in November, 1873, stopped blooming a few weeks last winter, but are still 
spreading and blooming away. I tried a cutting last winter. The plant it made covers six feet 
of ground, while the plant from which it was taken now covers from sixteen to eighteen inches 
of space, presenting constantly a dense mass of flowers.” 
The Saratoga Window Garden. — The window garden at Saratoga, an engraving of 
which we gave in our last number, belongs to M. R. Patrick, whose residence is on Regent 
street, near Filon. We have had several letters from persons visiting that popular watering place 
who wished to see this tasteful specimen of window gardening, but of course such a winter garden 
would present no attractions in the summer season. 
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