JAMES VICK , ROCHESTER , jV. K 
5 
tion. We thought that a view of our new building and a portion of our grounds might be 
welcome to our readers. We have also added several new greenhouses to the already large 
numl>er, which will enable us to furnish plants in the highest state of perfection, and these houses 
will be pleasant to visit even in the winter season. 
In addition to our home grounds, which are less than two miles from the center of the city, 
and reached by the East Avenue Omnibusses, which leave every twenty minutes, we have a large 
Seed Farm five miles North, on which are grown those Flower aud Vegetable Seeds which long 
experience has taught us can be produced better here than in other countries. Indeed, we have 
grown some kinds of Seeds and Bulbs to such perfection that any surplus we have more than 
needed for customers at home are eagerly sought by the seedsmen of Europe. Here may be 
seen at the proper season acres of Asters and Phlox and Petunias and Verbenas —more than a 
score of acres—a perfect blaze of brilliant colors. One of the engravings shows a portion of a field 
of Asters, with windmill for raising water, which is distributed by pipes through the ground, and 
also a slight view of pr< pi rating and drying houses, while the other view is of a beautiful little 
ravine which divides the F.ower and Vegetable seed grounds. On the latter we grow immense 
crops of Tomato, Onion, Cabbage and other of the choicest and best seeds. We thought it would 
not be unwise to show cur readers the facilities we possess for supplying them with the best 
seeds, plants and bulbs that can be produced. 
So anxious am I that my customers should succeed that I desire not only to furnish the 
newest and choicest seed that will be sure to grow with ordinary care, but I also wish them to 
procure those that will give the greatest satisfaction and pleasure. Those who have no experi¬ 
ence should select the kinds most easily grown,such as Asters, Balsams, Petunias, Zinnias, Dian- 
thus, etc., with only a very few of the more difficult. Great care should be had to select 
seed suited to the purpose for which they are designed. If we wish to cover a fence or 
verandah quickly, the Morning Glory or Nasturtium, or some of the free-growing, hardy 
climbers should be chosen. If the object is a showy bed on the lawn or the border, in addi¬ 
tion to the bedding plants, such as the Geraniums, the Petunias, the Phlox Drummondii, the 
Verbena, and such flowers as continue in bloom a long time and make a gay show of colors, are 
desirable. For taller flowers, as a back-ground in the garden, the Zinnia, Marigold, Gladioli, 
and flowers of this character should be selected. For cutting for small bouquets there should be 
some beds of Mignonette, Sweet Peas, Alyssum, and other Iragrant flowers, with the fragrant 
leaved Geraniums. For the house, of course, the choice must be different. I have arranged 
my Catalogue in Departments , showing the kinds that will flower the first year, and those that do 
not bloom until the second; the Climbers and Everlasting Flowers being in separate Depart¬ 
ments, as are also the Hardy Bulbs and Plants, such as the Lilies that will endure our winters, 
and the Tender Bulbs and Plants, like the Dahlias that cannot bear frost. With this arrange¬ 
ment no one need be mistaken. The arrangement is shown in Table of Contents on next page. 
Seed require warmth and moisture to make them grow. Some will grow with pretty bad 
treatment, but the smaller and choicest kinds require the best possible conditions. These are 
had to some extent in the garden, but it is sometimes necessary to sow them in boxes in the 
house, or in pots. It is best to cover pots with panes of glass to keep the moisture confined. 
Earth in pots dries rapidly, and so it is best usually to sow seed in shallow boxes. Sometimes 
POTS OF SHEI) SUNK IN MOSS. SEEDS STARTED IN A BOX. SEEDS GROWING IN POTS. 
we sow in pots and then put the pots in shallow boxes filled with damp moss. This keeps the 
sides of the pot moist and prevents the drying of the earth. Those who have hot-beds where 
the fermenting of the manure warms the soil and the glass keeps the moist air confined, of course, 
have no trouble, unless the hot sun scorches the plants, which is very apt to be the case unless 
the glass is shaded in sunny weather during the middle of the day. The cold-frame is merely 
the hot-bed frame, and sash placed upon a nice mellow bed. Of course, there is no bottom 
heat, but the air is confined and the sun warms the soil. It answers every purpose almost of the 
hot-bed, only cannot be started so early. In these seed germinate very freely. A common box 
with a light of glass laid on top is a great advantage in starting seed in the early spring. 
