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FLOWER SEEDS.

Our Floral Beauties comes in for their full share of attention and in fact we have this year given them more time and space than ever before on our grounds. We have in our employ an experienced specialist in this line who, under our supervision, attends to growing whatever can be grown to advantage in this country, tests all novelties offered in this country or Europe, and is constantly striving, by selection and hybridization, to improve the leading varieties, and make our CHOICE IOWA FLOWER SEEDS just what we are striving for--the BEST IN THE WORLD. All who truly love the beautiful, and prize all things new and valuable in the Floral Kingdom, will be interested in the following pages, and also in looking over the varieties named in our novelty list.
Our Flower Seeds are all fresh, and we know they are unsurpassed. Quality is always the first consideration. Our mixtures are mainly made up by ourselves from named varieties, or from growing a large number of the best named varieties together, and will be found to yield a better variety than is commonly found. We aim to sell seeds at five cents per packet in every case where it is possible to give a satisfactory quantity for that price.
To insure success, the conditions and requirements of the several species as to soil, moisture, heat, light, etc., should be studied and then observed in culture. Below we give a few general directions for their culture, though more complete directions will be found printed on most of the seed packets.
The soil best adapted to most flowers is light, rich loam, containing enough sand to make it porous. If there is some clay with it the colors will be brighter. Make the surface as smooth and fine as possible, sow seed in rows, covering each sort of seed in proportion to its size (a good general rule being to cover twice the diameter of the seed) and press the soil down firmly over it. Do not plant any seeds when the ground is wet. Many varieties should be sown early in shallow boxes in the house, in soil consisting of equal parts of fine sand and rich mellow loam, well mixed together and sifted, to remove all gravel and lumps. Sow as before directed. Covering the box with glass helps to retain the moisture and keeps the temperature even. Be careful not to keep them too wet, and as soon as they are large enough to handle, transplant into boxes, from one to two inches apart, where they are to remain until time to transplant to permanent beds. We will always be glad to answer any questions from our customers, relative to the cultivation of any kinds of plants.
ALL FLOWER SEEDS ARE SENT FREE BY MAIL ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, and as an inducement to the formation of clubs, and to those who buy a quantity, we will send seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35 for $1, or $2.75 for $2.

ANNUALS.
To the Annuals we are indebted mainly for our brightest and best flowers, which gladden the hearts and cheer and brighten the lives of all.
Under this heading we include not only true Annuals--that is, those plants which grow from seed, blossom and die the same season--but also some Biennials and Perennials, such as Pansies and Daisies, that flower the first season, and then live on for a year or more.
The figures at the right hand of the column show the price of seeds per packet, postpaid.

[left column] Abronia--Trailing habit, similar to Verbenas, bearing clusters of sweet-scented flowers. Effective for bedding in masses:
--Umbellata--Rosy lilac... 5.
--Grandiflora--Pure rose... 5.
Adonis Aestivalis--Brilliant scarlet, blossoms throughout the season, succeeds well in the shade... 5.
Ageratum--Very desirable for bouquets; a profuse bloomer throughout the season.
Mexicanum--Blue... 5.
--Albiflorum--White... 5.
Asperula Azurea Setosa--A hardy, dwarf-growing little annual, producing an abundance of small, light blue, sweet-scented flowers; fine for bouquets.... 5.

[right column] Antirrhinum--(Snap Dragon)--Those who [image] have cultivated only the old fashioned, faded Snap-dragons, have no idea how bright and beautiful these new and improved varieties are. They are easily raised from seeds, make a gorgeous bed on the lawn, and if freely cut, they bloom incessantly throughout the season. If severly cut back early in autumn, the plants will endure the winter, and bloom well the following season. Our mixtures contain all the new and choice colors, including the beautifully striped, variegated and margined.

Remember that $1.00 pays for seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35, and to deduct 10 cents per lb. if you have seeds sent at your expense.