GRAND RAPIDS GROWERS, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan 43 
ee one Nopids,; Michigan a AB 
Flower Seed Department 
We are convinced that many of the failures 
would be impossible in the space at our disposal in 
name for your guidance. 
Success With Flower Seeds 
For all flower seeds which should be started indoors, the 
best plan is to sow in earthenware seed pans or boxes 
(about 2 inches deep) which should be filled to the depth 
of an inch with any rough material that will furnish per- 
fect drainage. The upper inch should be nicely sifted soil, 
composed, if possible, of about one-third each of sand, leaf 
mould and light garden loam. Press firmly and evenly and 
water thoroughly the day before sowing. Sow the seeds thinly 
over the surface, cover about one-eighth of an inch and 
press firmly. When the seedlings are large enough to handle, 
they should be transplanted into similarly prepared boxes 
an inch apart each way, or put into small pots and kept in 
Same until time to plant out in open ground. At all times 
they should have an abundance of air, otherwise the young 
seedlings are liable to “damp off.” 
For most of the ordinary annual flowers, the simplest 
method is to sow directly out-of-doors when danger of frost 
is past in the space where they are intended to flower. The 
ground should be dug and raked fine on the surface, sow- 
ing the seeds evenly and thinly, covering not over four times 
their size, and firming the soil over them. Should they come 
up too thickly, as most of them are likely to do, thin out so 
that the plants will stand from 4 to 12 inches apart, accord- 
ing to the variety. 
How to Sow Flower Seeds 
It will prove quite an advantage to mix all small seeds 
with sand or dry soil and scatter broadcast. This separates 
the seeds and is quite an advantage in thinning out or 
transplanting the young plants as those that remain are 
undisurbed. A common mistake in sowing flower seeds is 
covering too deeply. The exception to this is the Sweet Pea, 
which is seldom planted deep enough. As a general rule, 
cover small seeds only to the depth of the thickness of the 
seeds; always press the earth after sowing all flower seeds, 
else there is danger of their drying up before the roots can 
get firm hold of the soil. Seed of the hardier annuals may 
be sown where they are to grow; but as a rule, it is prefer- 
able to transplant, as the plants are generally stronger and 
stand the drought better. During very dry weather, and 
when the seedlings are first set out, they should be watered 
frequently. 
Bt OP ay SSE Slag 
Alyssum Saxatile Compactum 
(Perennial) 
with flower 
-r seeds are due to lack of of proper conditions, and while it 
this catalog to give explicit directions for each and every variety 
which we offer, we feel sure that if the general directions given below are 
All of our flower seeds are listed by their common name in 
followed, success will be the rule. 
strict alphabetical order, together with the botanical 
The weeds should be kept down and the ground loosened 
often, so that the plants will receive the full benefit of the 
rains and dews, which they will not if the ground is al- 
lowed to become hard and baked. 
Annuals are those flowers which bloom and die the same 
year; grown from seed exclusively. 
Biennials bloom and die the second year from the seeding 
time. . 
Perennials grow the plant the first year but do not 
flower until the second year and then bloom every year. 
Ageratum, Midget Blue 
NUMBER OF SEEDS PER OUNCE UNDER ALL 
ITEMS ARE APPROXIMATE. 
(Sand Verbena). Pkt., L5c. 
Ageratum «) 
(FLOSSFLOWER) 
(214,000 seeds per oz.) 
One of the best summer blooming plants. They are rapid 
growers; early and constant bloomers. 
MEXICANUM TALL. 18 inches. Beautiful, soft lavender- 
blue, of free branching habit. Pkt., 10c; 14 02., 30c. 
BLUE CAP. Selected. 6 inches. Definitely more dwarf, more 
compact in habit with small leaves. Bright, deep, rich laven- 
der-blue. Pkt., 10c; 14 0z., $1.20; 1 0z., $3.50. 
BLUE BEDDER. Dwarf. Pkt., 15c. 
MIDGET BLUE, Dwarf, compact, 
1% o7., $1.50; 02., $5.00. 
Alyssum 
(SWEET ALYSSUM) 
(60,000 seeds per oz.) 
Very popular border flower. Dwarf habit, blooming until 
killed by frost. Fine for beds, borders and vases. 
LITTLE GEM. Erect; white. Pkt., 10c; 14 02., 25c; 1 02., 75c; 
4 o7s., $2.50. 
VIOLET QUEEN. Pkt., 10c; 44 072., 35c; 07., $1.15. 
CARPET OF SNOW. Pkt., 10c; 14 02., 30c; 1 02., 90c; 
4 o7zs., $2.75. 
ABRONIA. 
Ficieeplue- Pkt -10c: 
Alyssum () _ 
SAXATILE COMPACTUM., (Basket of Gold). 9 inches 
high. Blooms in May and June, producing masses of golden 
flowers very early. Pkt., 10c; 14 02., 30c; 1 02., 90c. 
