t vvV* " 
Nature, like a tired child, seetffc, fa$t 
,./ ■ asleep, but during these quiet ho^ ^.e^ust 
prepare for the awakening whicn^ft^fc^ 
with returning spring. Busy hands are now arrangiiM seedf 
•and earing for bulbs arid plants, busy brains have been b^ung to’’ 
improve and make more perfect the Floral Guide witl£:v#kich 
our customers are so familiar. In this issue will be found 
■many valuable additions—new engravings taking the places of 
old, while a rarely beautiful cover has been selected from sfyeral 
designs prepared by competing artists. Practical experience ena$es,. 
us to give our friends much fresh information, and the careful rear¬ 
rangement of all departments will, we are sure, provide not only 
ple^»f$ but profit to every one interested in the cultivation of seeds 
'?;jffieafbo is not a real lover of earth’s beauteous blossoms may 
wonder why, our customers enjoy the Magazine and Floral Guide, 
but-J^a p^&Ctn who lives “near to nature’s heart” even the picture of 
a favMte flower will recall delightful and tender memories. The 
P'-W'ure, ever 
bountiful, is coii^fiflf^eldfen^n^ef and''j&ore perfect get^isv--'.%»• only in¬ 
crease tbe-A^fter o? our fifends w|en we'%come acquainted Avid* flowers 
is have beeniiink-nowiv, and, ufflike the human family, they sel- 
(hy>f f disappoint oui». fondest hopes. A few years ago the autumn 
Anemone was placed before us, and nqw what a strong hold it has 
upon our affection*. Tali in- your lia%l one of its blossoms, look 
.Carefully at its pifre white petals, so da^pty and delicate, the very 
emblem of a true, brave, honest character, and gazing earnestly into 
its golden heart you see nothing but beauty and goodness. Jack Frost 
has passed through your garden, touched with his icy fingers the loyal 
Coleus, the fragrant Heliotrope, the brilliant Salvia, and many others, 
but he appears almost afraid to approach the Anemone, its very purity 
