a et Se ae wee 
250 BRECK BLDG., BOSTON 10, MASS. 
Dear Fellow Gardener: 
Two of the gardening world’s best known (and friendliest!) rivals have 
joined forces. We speak, of course, of Breck’s and the Peter Henderson, 
Stumpp & Walter Company. These organizations, taken together, are 
almost three centuries old! And that’s an old age that lends wisdom! 
Already their combined experience has produced this Catalog—modestly 
suggested as a reliable, convenient guide to the best in gardening. 
Back in 1818, in the rural village of Pepperell, Mass., an earnest young 
farmer named Joseph Breck started selling his farm-grown seeds, roots 
and_ plants. Fired by a desire to share his knowledge and love for 
gardening with the community, he had already authored several books 
and had earned a reputation as a horticultural lecturer. It seemed right 
and fitting to young Joseph that he should expand his interests and 
become a merchant as well as farmer, lecturer and author. He combined 
business judgment with a love for growing things and a deep humility 
before nature's wonders. In those days, as today, Joseph Breck’s effort 
was known as a “just and wholesome trade.” 
Some years later, in 1843, young Peter Henderson came fo America 
from Scotland. After laboring 16 hours a day as a market gardener in 
Jersey, he opened his own seed store in New York City in 1865. Presently 
a bright youngster named Stumpp came fo work for him—later to start 
his own business and then to return by merging his Stumpp & Walter 
Company with that of Peter Henderson. 
Recently, in the Fall of 1953, all three firms were consolidated under 
Breck’s name, putting under one roof a combination of physical resources 
and_ horticultural skill unmatched anywhere at any time in America’s 
history. This consolidation puts af your disposal almost 300 years of 
horticultural experience and know-how, 160,000 square feet of ware- 
houses in Boston, eight modern garden-center stores in the metropolitan 
Boston and New York areas, and over 600 Breck’s Associated Stores in 
the six New England states. All mail order activities will be handled from 
Breck’s Boston headquarters. 
Between the covers of this book you will find a presentation of all that 
is best in seeds, bulbs, plants and gardening accessories—backed by the 
strongest and most unrestricted Guarantee in the world of horticulture, 
and shown in a way that makes it easy for you to find your needs. 
One of the pleasures of home gardening is the fireside planning of a 
winter's night. You'll make us all very happy if we may be included in 
your fireside gardening sessions for 1954. We look forward to hearing 
from you, and serving yOu, often! | 
Faithfully yours, 
President 
Od Gh dbs 
How to Advanc i 
Tees ne Ane Gardening Season 
Pages 5-7 
Wi 
indow and House Plant Accessories 
Pages 8-9 , 
How to Start Your Flower Seeds 
Page 10 
Select You 
r Flower S 
Color Pictures. SEE RENE 
Pages 11-12-21-22 
Complete Flower Seed List 
Pages 13-29 
How to Plan Your Vegetable Garden 
Page 30 
our Veg tabl ee from 
Choose Y e e S ds 
Seeds for Your Herb Garden 
Page 37 
Clovers, Grasses, Field Seeds 
Page 40 
How to Make and i 
Maintain a L 
Pages 46-49 a 
Soil Conditioners, Fertilizers 
Pages 47-49 
Plant Supports—Stakes, Trellises, etc 
Pages 50-52 rare 
Bulbs for Colorful Displays. 
Pages 53-64 
Misc. Gadgets and Garden Tools 
Pages 58-68 
Roses, Shrubs, Trees 
Pages 60-75 
How to Attract Birds 
Page 76 
How to Prot 
ect Your Gard 
Insects and Diseases eee 
Pages 77-81 
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