ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA. 
Vegetable Seeds 
THE HOUSE OF ABEL 
3^ IME marches on. For twelve years we have 
TO been issuing this catalog for your help and 
guidance in selecting your spring and fall 
plantings. Each year we not only endeavor to list 
the new offerings in the seed world, but to include 
information which will be of assistance to the 
planter. 
As part of our service, we extend to each and 
every customer the privilege of calling upon us with 
their planting problems. We endeavor to solve all 
the problems presented, regardless of how difficult 
they may be. Should we be unable to supply the 
information immediately, it is ever our pleasure to 
do some research work for the benefit of our cus¬ 
tomers. All of which is offered FREE. 
Our aim has always been, and always will be, to 
serve well all those who help to contribute to our 
success—our customers. All orders, and all re¬ 
quests, large or small, receive our very best atten¬ 
tion. 
In SEEDS, BULBS, and SUPPLIES, we offer you 
only the highest quality obtainable, because we only 
deal with reputable growers and manufacturers, so 
that their guarantee augments our own. 
Thanks to all our customers for their liberal sup¬ 
port and patronage, for they have made possible 
this twelfth catalog. If you have been well served 
by the HOUSE OP ABEL, your neighbors and 
friends will welcome a word from you not only 
about ABEL’S QUALITY SEEDS but also about 
ABEL’S SERVICE. These two, quality and service, 
we have united for better business through you. 
Accept, please, our grateful appreciation. 
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 mSTRUOTIONS 
Always state by what method you wish goods forwarded, 
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 50e 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, quality, 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. 
SNAPDRAGIONS, 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 carefuUy 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. 
P»g» four 
