ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA. 
Vegetable Seeds 
THE HOUSE OF ABEL 
N SENDING- you this, our eleventh year 
Catalogue, we hope that it will serve as 
a guide for you in planning your gardens 
and outdoor work for spring. We also 
hope that you will find it valuable as a 
reference book and as a reminder of our 
assurance that you can always call on us for further 
advice and assistance. 
We emphasize the fact that we want our customers 
satisfied, and we are ready and anxious at all times 
to give absolute satisfaction. 
As we buy only the very best seeds, bulbs, and sup¬ 
plies from the largest and most reputable growers 
and manufacturers, you have their guarantee in ad¬ 
dition to ours. 
We thank our customers for the liberal support and 
patronage they gave us last year. We ask your con¬ 
tinued support, and will more than appreciate it if 
you tell your neighbors and friends about ABEL’S 
SEEDS and ABEL’S SERVICE. 
Sincerely yours, 
ORDER EARLY 
We will appreciate it if our customers will send 
us their orders for seeds, plants, bulbs, etc., during 
January and February. Your order can be filled at 
once and held for shipment when you wish same. No 
charge is made for boxes or packing, except for two 
bushel bags which are charged at cost and may be 
returned to us for credit. 
SHIPPING INSTRUCTIONS 
Always state by what method you wish goods for¬ 
warded, otherwise we will ship according to our best 
judgment. 
Due to poor crop prospects in growing sections the harvest of seeds 
were found short in many cases and for this reason prices are sub¬ 
ject to change without notice. 
HOW TO SEND CASH 
We prefer that you send either Post Office Money 
Order, check or Express Money Order for amounts 
above 50c and stamps. Money Order or check for less. 
NON-WARRANTY 
Wilbert N. Abel of Abel’s Seed House gives no 
warranty, express or implied, as to description, qual¬ 
ity, productiveness, or any other matter of any seeds, 
bulbs or plants they sell and will not be responsible 
for the crop. If the customer does not accept the 
goods on these terms they are at once to be returned 
and the amount paid for them will be refunded. 
Sow AbeVs Seeds and Reap 
the Profits 
Annual and Perennial Flower Seeds 
Among the flowers listed on the following pages 
will be found many annuals that bloom the first 
year from seed, but have to be resown the following 
year; some perennials that bloom the first year; and 
others that require a year’s growth before blooming. 
These are indicated in all instances. All three classes 
are needed to make up the attractive garden or 
border and help prolong the blooming season. The 
perennials increase in size and beauty from year to 
year and require but little attention. 
Flower Seeds Require Ideal Conditions for Germination 
The amateur gardener is frequently 
confronted with the fact that the flower 
seeds planted did not germinate and is 
unable to understand why. Many times 
the Seed House is condemned, but is this 
fair? 
If the gardener will visit the Seed 
House and present the true situation, 
proper information will be given so there 
will not be a repetition of flower seeds 
not germinating. Why not ask for this 
information when first purchasing flower 
seeds? 
Many flower seeds are exceedingly 
small and as they germinate slender 
shoots come forth which require deli¬ 
cate and gentle treatment. 
SNAPDRAGONS, for instance, in the 
cultural directions, require that “the 
seed should be pressed firmly into the 
top of well prepared soil and then cov¬ 
ered with a cloth or burlap kept damp 
until the seed germinates.” 
Many people are so enthusiastic about 
getting the seed into the ground that 
they fail to carefully consider these in¬ 
structions. When a good stand of plants 
fail to appear they are very much dis¬ 
appointed, and frequently condemn the 
seeds without considering the planting 
instructions. 
The fact that the seeds have been 
properly planted is no guarantee that 
the gardener will be assured of a goodly 
supply of plants. The elements must 
be considered. A sudden heavy thunder 
storm with its accompanying downpour 
of rain may tear the young tender plants 
to pieces, and they will not have a 
chance of becoming established. Next, 
the soil must be considered. Usually the 
soil is very hard and the effect of the 
rays from the hot sun tend to make it 
harder. This condition must be cor¬ 
rected by carefully loosening the soil 
and gently watering the plants, other¬ 
wise the tender surviving plants will 
burn off. 
Since so many factors enter into the 
successful growing of plants, the gar¬ 
dener, who has carefully observed and 
applied all the rules, will be best re¬ 
warded. 
Abel’s Seed House offers you the bene¬ 
fit of its experience in the planting of 
flower seeds. This service is free—ask 
for it when buying seeds. 
The above suggestions also apply in a 
general way to the planting of vegetable 
seeds. However, as vegetable seeds are 
more sturdy less difficulty will be en¬ 
countered. 
Page tour 
