KEY TO SYMBOLS 
Perennials. 

Pe 
MARKING THE ROWS 
sees 

FIRMING THE SOIL 
VN ‘ 
7, 
in considerable detail the methods of starting flower seeds which 
are available to the amateur without a greenhouse, ana which 
cover well the needs of an outdoor garden. In thé flower seed section 
~ in the case of each flower listed, information is given as to the cultural 
_ methods which can be used for that subject. 
y [is FIVE paragraphs below, designated A, B, C, D and E, we cover 
aay 
- 
“Sow in the bed, border or row where the plants are to 
erow The soil should be loamy, with well pulverized surface. 
ith heavy soil inclined to cake and crack, it is usually best to 
_ grow plants in a seed bed (B) and transplant to the permanent place. 
_ Loosen the soil where seeds are to be sown, with the trowel, or hoe, 
4 several inches deep. Rake smooth. Broadcast small seeds and cover 
- them lightly four or five times their diameter. Very small seeds may 
_ be merely pressed in. Larger seeds may be planted singly, well covered, 
_ but more thickly than plants are wanted. Firm the soil well over the 
__ seed.. Watering now becomes of great importance. At no time should 
_ the-soil be allowed to become hard and dry, yet excessive watering 
_ may cause the seeds to rot, sour the soil, or cause ‘“damping off."” When 
the plants appear, thin them out, allowing each to grow singly, without 
- crowding. The distance between them is governed by their ultimate 
size and spread. Excess plants may usually be moved to a new location. 

B Sow in outdoor seed bed, tobe transplanted. The seed bed 
_above the surrounding surface, and preferably surrounded by a 
-. wooden curb, to prevent rain washing across it. It should not be wider 
_ than four feet, so it can be worked easily. Shelter from high winds is 
_ valuable, but damp and shady corners are not desirable. Full sun is 
_ advisable when seedlings are up, while shade when needed, as in mid- 
~ summer for perennial seedlings, is best supplied by a lath or cloth 
_ canopy, which can be removed in damp and cloudy weather. Sow the 
seeds in rows which may be as close as five inches. Sowing and water- 
ing are the same as described in “A” above. Seedlings may be trans- 
planted when they make true leaves, the second pair of leaves to 
appear; or they may be left until larger before being moved to their 
- permanent location. Perennials should be moved from the seed bed 
to a nursery row, to grow until fall before being moved to the border. 


CUES eS es eg aT eg 
method is applicable to slow germinating subjects, some of 
which may take a year to germinate. Fill the receptacle with 
-potting soil as described in “’D,”’ firm the soil and broadcast the seed, 
- covering four or five times their diameter. Place the receptacle in a 
_ shaded location, where there is free air circulation. During the spring, 
_ summer and fall, water often enough to prevent soil from drying out. 
S Sow in flat, pot or pan outdoors or in a cold frame. This 


>. 
oT 
+ Greenhouse Plants. 
in the open should be of loose, mellow loam, raised slightly - 
+House Plants. mbing Plants. Rock Garden Plants. 


SOWING THE SEED 
SOWING SEEDS IN THE INDOOR BOX 
FLOWER SEED CULTURES—HOW TO SOW 
COVERING THE SEED 
While our cultural instructions are definite, detailed and exceptionally 
thorough, they should be supplemented by reading in good gardening 
books and by obtaining, at first hand, advice from successful gar- 
deners in your neighborhood. Success in gardening requires study, 
and the opportunity for enlarging one’s information and trying out 
new things is one of the most fascinating features of gardening. 

A mulch of peat moss will help retain moisture. In winter, place in a 
protected place outdoors and cover with leaves. Have patience with 
slow germinating subjects; do not disturb too quickly. Any live seed 
will eventually grow if given time enough, provided soil, moisture sup- 
ply, etc., are right. When seedlings appear and make true leaves, 
transplant to pots, nursery row or permanent location. If moss forms 
on soil surface, sprinkle fresh earth over top. 
followed where there is a window facing south, enjoying sun- 
light most of the day.. Use a:standard florists’ pot or pan 
(shallow pot) or a “‘flat’’, whichis a shallow box, with holes bored in 
the bottom for drainage. Cover the drainage holes in pot or box with 
broken pottery; fill with potting soil. This is a mixture of half sand 
and half black loam. It may be obtained from florists. Firm the soil, 
and sow the seeds in rows, marking each row to identify the sowing. 
Water by setting the box or pot in water, so that it soaks up from 
below, or use.a fine spray which does not wash the soil. Place in a dark 
place, covered with a wet newspaper blanket until the seeds sprout. 
As soon as sprouts appear bring into full light. Cover the box or pot 
with glass to check evaporation, but when moisture collects on glass 
wipe it off, and prop up one end of the glass to allow air to circulate 
during the sunny part of the day. A temperature not below 50 degrees 
at night, or 75 degrees by day, isbest. Donot allow the soil todry out. 
When the seedlings have made true leaves (the second set), they should 
be transplanted to other flats, giving at least two inches of space apart; 
or they may be moved to small pots or to an outdoor seed bed 
or border. 
E Sow in a hot bed or cold frame. A cold frame or a hot bed 
D Sow indoors in a box, pot or pan. This method may be 
heated by manure or other means may be used. The best 
method with flower seeds is to sow seeds in flats, which are 
placed in the frame. With manure heated beds, seeds should not be 
sown until the temperature of the newly made bed has dropped to 
90 degrees. Watering and ventilation are important. On sunny spring 
days, always prop up one end of the sash to prevent overheating, 
which may occur quickly and cause spindly growth. Do not allow the 
soil to dry out. When the seedlings have made true leaves, they should 
be transplanted to other flats, spaced two inches apart each way; or 
to the soil in the hot-bed, or to an outdoor location, if late enough. 

~ COMMERCIAL FLOWER FORCING. By Laurie 
and Poesch. The object of this concise treatise is 
to cover the fundamentals involved in the growing 
of various flower crops used for commercial pur- 
4 poses and deal with them from the viewpoint of 
: practical culture. The treatments recommended 
follow the routine practice of the better growers, 
supplemented by a vast volume of experimental! 
work done under the experienced supervision of 
the authors. 49 illustrations. 519 pages. $4.50. 
_ FIVE ACRES AND LEE ENDEDES:, By M. < g 
Kains. A practical guide to the selection an 
oenabenent of the small farm. The author's de- ull of garden books. 
tailed advice and explanation on every topic treated 
leaves little chance for even unskilled persons to go 
wrong. This book contains 77 illustrations and 
diagrams. 401 pages. $2.50. 
‘GARDEN CLINIC—CARE AND CULTIVATION 
OF GARDEN FAVORITES. By Laurence Blair. 
This attractive yet practical manual is different 
GARDEN 









D. Seymour, B. S. 
tion, $3.50. 
GARDEN GUIDE. 
home grounds. 
559 pages. $2.00. 
Gardening Books 
We find it impossible to catalogue our complete line 
of books, but should you be interested in any horti- 
cultural subject not covered, write for our book list. 
ENCYCLOPEDIA, AN ENCYCLO- 
PEDIA OF GARDENING. Written by a group of 
American horticultural experts and edited by E. L. 
A. A single big volume that 
ives you the scope and contents of a whole shelf 
1,380 pages, 750 illustrations, 
including 250 photographs. 
Amateur Gardeners’ Hand- 
book. Deals thoroughly with most effective hans 
dling of every growing thing in the garden and 
300 photographic 
PROPAGATION OF PLANTS. By Kains and 
what the name implies—first steps in farming. It 
promises neither independence, fortune, security, 
nor success. The Farm Primer promises you work 
but shows you how to work in ways and with 
knowledge that bring tangible results and lasting 
satisfactions. Whether you farm, or plan to farm, 
backyard or acreage—whether you farm to help 
your country or yourself—in war or peace—for 
freedom, health, profit, or pleasure, The Farm 
Primer will guide you aright. Illustrated, 266 
Pages. Price, $2.50. 
THE FOOD GARDEN is a how-to-do-it book. The 
twenty double-page spreads of line drawings with 
instructions show in detail the various steps in the 
cultivation of each crop and pine) ae orks prob- 
lems of each that beset the gardener. The text 
gives full explanations of the drawings and further 
cultural directions. 148 pages with 40 full-page 
drawings, size 814 x 1014 inches. $2.00. 
VICTORY GARDEN MANUAL. By James H. 
Burdett. This intensely practical book embodies 
ictory Garden Edi- 
illustrations. 







— 
_ shrubs, vines and 2In é 
..dn text he gives step-by-step methods of cultiva- 
_~ tion. 145 pages. $2.00. ; 
- from other gardening books since it is a pictorial 
_how-to-do-it book. The double-page spread of line 
_ drawings with caption copy, shows the various 
»".’steps in the cultivation of each plant and the par- 
ticular problems of each that beset the gardener. 
The text amplifies the drawings. Mr. Blair has 
chosen about. one hundred garden favorites—in- 
cluding annuals, perennials, bulbs, evergreens, 
owering trees. In pictures and 
McQuesten. A complete guide for professional 
and amateur growers of plants by seeds, layers, 
grafting and budding, with chapters on nursery 
and greenhouse management. In direct, simple 
-language it discusses all phases of the subject, 
explains technical and scientific terms and tells 
clearly the how and the why of all processes. 639 
pages. $3.50... 
THE FARM PRIMER. Here is a practical manual, 
handbook, and reference book for the beginner and 
part-time farmer. The Farm Primer is exactly 
the experience of the first Victory Garden year, 
and gives complete instructions for planning, plant- 
ing and maintaining a Victory Garden which will 
supply food in profusion but without waste, and 
of maximum nutritive value. Simple direct instruc- 
tions are given for applying in your garden the 
latest discoveries of science. Fifty graphic illustra- 
tions, 4 color plates, 128 pages. $1.75. 

Vaughan’'s Seed Store 65 
