40 GRAND RAPIDS GROWERS, Inc., Grand Rapids, Michigan 
FLOWER SEEDS 
We are convinced that many of the failures with flower seeds are due to lack of proper conditions, 
and while it would be impossible in the space at our disposal in 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 
followed, success will be the rule. 
All of our flower seeds are listed by their common name in strict alphabetical order, together with 
the botanical name for your guidance. 
Success With Flower Seeds 
For all flower seeds which should be started in- 
doors, 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 perfect 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 sow- 
ing. 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 pre- 
pared 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 
én abundance of air, otherwise the young seed- 
ings 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, sowing 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, according to the 
variety. 
Ageratum, Midget Blue 
aoe 
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 undisturbed. 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 gen- 
eral 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 preferable 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, 
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 allowed 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. 
NUMBER OF SEEDS PER OUNCE UNDER 
ALL ITEMS ARE APPROXIMATE. 
ABRONIAS (Sand Verbena) . 
Pkt., 20c. 
Ageratum () 
(FLOSSFLOWER) 
(214,000 seeds per oz.) 
One of the best summer blooming plants. 
growers; early and constant bloomers. 
MEXICANUM TALL. 18 inches. Beautiful, soft lavender- 
blue, of free branching habit. 
Pkt., 10c; Ya oz., 30c. 
BLUE CAP. Selected. 6 inches. Definitely more dwarf, more 
compact in habit with small leaves. Bright, deep, rich laven- 
der-blue. 
Pkt., 10c¢; 1% oz., $1.20; 1 oz., $3.50. 
BLUE BEDDER. Dwarf. 
Pkt., 15¢. 
MIDGET BLUE. Dwarf, compact, 
Pkt., 10c: 1% oz., $1.35; 
They are rapid 
rich blue. 
1 oz., $4.00. 
