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Dorr's Iowa Seed Manual. 17

Flower Seeds.

The soil, best adapted for most flowers is a deep, rich, mellow loam, containing a liberal amount of sand or muck, so that it will not bake after hard rains. Be sure that the garden is well drained, that no water may stand near the surface. Clay soils are much improved by being broken up in the autumn and left as rough as possible, working in well-rotted manure, sand or road dust. If this is not done the Fall, be careful not to work it while too wet in the Spring; use sand freely if to be had; sod with leaves well rotted, and ashes make a good manure, and will improve heavy soils. There are very few flowers that will not do well in sandy soil if it is rich. Select such varieties as are suited for the places and purposes for which they are designed.
Under proper conditions and treatment, flower seeds will grow and thrive as readily as vegetable or field seeds. But most of them require careful handling, this is especially true of the finer sorts.
A proper degree of heat, moisture, and a sufficient amount of covering, are necessary to secure germination each one of these conditions needs attention. Where no hot-bed can be had, the following directions may be observed for starting plants in the house: Sow seeds in shallow boxes about two inches deep and of convenient size to handle, filled with prepared soil, which should be gently pressed down and perfectly level. No better general rule can be given than the old one of covering seeds about twice their depth, although something depends on
what the covering consists of; one-fourth of an inch of leaf-mould would be no more than equivalent to half that amount of common soil, and it is best to use it whenever it can be obtained, as it holds moisture well and does not bake, rendering it the least possible obstruction to the tender shoot. Muck from swamps, or old rotted manure mixed with sand, is also good. The covering should never be allowed to become dry, as nothing is more fatal to seeds than to allow them to become dry after having commenced to germinate; still, care should be taken not to keep them too wet.
As soon as the plants can be handled, they should be transplanted into similar boxes from one to two inches apart, where they are to remain until time to transplant to permanent beds. Never pull, but always lift them with a trowel or some other implement.
Whether sown in hot-beds, boxes, or open ground, the same conditions should be secured as nearly as possible.

Annuals.-An annual is a plant that flowers the first year, then dies, root and all, after ripening its seeds.
To the large and cherished list of annuals we are indebted for most of the rich beauty, charming grace and delicious perfume of our flower gardens. No class of
plants are as easily cultivated, and attended with as little expense and full satisfaction. By the out-lay of a few cents and the exercise of a little labor, which to all lovers of flowers, is but a delightful pleasure, an abundance of beautiful flowers may be had from early Summer till frost cuts them down, late in the fall.
Some of the colors are unsurpassed for richness and dazzling brilliancy. Most of the beautiful grasses, climbers and everlastings are among the annuals. The hardy annuals may be sown in the open ground, in this latitude, ordinarily, about May 1st: but much time will be saved by starting those which can be transplanted, a month or six weeks sooner, in the house. A little more time must be given for the ground to become thoroughly warm, before sowing the half hardy and tender sorts.

Biennials, grow the first season, without blossoming, survive the winter, flower, then die, root and all, after ripening their seeds. These may be sown the same time as the annuals. Keep them well hoed and free from weeds during the summer. Care must be taken to give them plenty of room, so the plants will not crowd each other. Some of our best flowers are of this class.

Perennials live and blossom year after year but annually die down to the ground. The hardy varieties remain out all winter, in safety, while the more tender ones require protection, or must be taken indoors.

Shrubs are perennial plants with woody stems, which live and grow year after year; differing from trees only in their size.
The seeds of these require careful treatment and should be protected by partial shade.

Ornamental Climbers.-There is no other class of plants more subject to complete control than the climbers. They are Nature's drapery and are inclined to furnish us with decorations of exquisite beauty and rare grace.
From the most delicate to the very vigorous growing varieties, all are desirable, and have many places to fill, from the covering of the low screens, trailing from
pots and baskets to the clothing of arbors, fences, and even buildings and huge tress with habiliments of verdure.

Everlastings.-The everlastings are not very attractive in mid summer, when our gardens are gay with Flora's very choicest treasures.
But after King Winter takes possession, and spreads his carpet of snow over "God's foot stool," and we are wondering where Summer has gone, and dreaming of the beautiful flowers that were so much loved, and such agreeable companions, the Everlastings are welcome inmates of our homes. It is then that they are arranged into Winter bouquets and various ornamental designs for the parlor, dining room or chamber. They are becoming justly popular in all parts of the civilized world.
For mottoes, monograms and emblems of many designs, the Everlastings are utilized. When Brother comes home; you are arranging for Sister's wedding, and a thousand other joyful occasions, not forgetting Christmas-that day of all days-we are prone to add cheer and strengthen love's chains, by appropiately decorating our homes and churches.
Flowers should be gathered just before fully expanded, tied into small bunches and hung up to dry Gomphrenas must be fully developed before picking.
The Everlastings readily thrive with kind treatment.

Ornamental Grasses.-These are used with Everlasting flowers for decorative purposes, winter bouquets, wreaths, &c., &c. There are many curious and pretty varieties of the grasses, which are easily cultivated.
They should be cut just as they are coming into flower, and dried in small bunches.
They are frequently dyed bright and showy colors.
In France this is quite an extensive business, and large quantities are annually exported to this country.

Seeds for the Greenhouse.-For Florist and Amateurs. Imported from the best European sources. These require extra care, especially the Calceolarias.

Good Seeds.-We take great pains in growing and importing the choicest flower seeds, and are confident that none better can be had from any source. We have hundreds of flattering testimonials, from our customers, as to the superious quality of ours seeds.

Important.
The figures at the right of the column indicate the price per packet. Our packets are liberally filled with fresh seeds.
The figures at the left of the columns, are the number of the variety of seeds. All flower seeds being numbered for convenience in ordering. Please order by numbers and not names; it will save you labor in writing, and sasist [assist] us in filling the orders. Write the numbers Plainly.