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Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa.

Flower Seeds.

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I love flowers. Don't you?

Our floral beauties come 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 flower plant and bulb lists.

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 yield a better assortment than is commonly found. This year we list all the varieties alphabetically together. Annuals, biennials, perennials, climbers and everlastings but mention in the description what class they belong to if they are not annuals. The ornamental grasses are listed separately. This will make it easier to find any sort named.

Our Prices.--The cost of raising the various sorts of flower seeds varies greatly from such as mignonette, which we can grow a hundred pounds of at but comparatively only a few dollars expense, up to double petunia, which costs us over one hundred dollars per ounce, and some other kinds which are still more expensive. There are but few who care for more than one good sized bed of any sort, therefore we have filled our packets with a sufficient amount and made prices as low as possible, some being only two or three cents each, and we are certain customers will be well pleased with the quantity they contain.

Discounts.--In spite of our very low prices by the packet we still offer flower seeds in packets only to the amount of $1.25 for $1.00. This discount does not apply to collections of seeds nor to seeds by weight or measure.

Directions for Sowing, etc.--To insure success the conditions and requirements of the several species as to soil, moisture, heat, 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 many 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, such as pansy, verbena, daisy, hollyhock and the fine greenhouse plant seeds, 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 kind of plants.

Novelties.--Our list contains all of the most desirable novelties, but instead of separating them we have placed them in alphabetica order with the others, and we believe our customers will find it more convenient for them in ordering. We have this year carefully revised all the descriptions, changing some of them after comparing with the flowers in the field, and we believe no more correct or complete list of desirable sorts can be found in any catalogue.

A nice lawn is easily obtained by sowing our Central Park or Evergreen lawn grass seed. It is vastly cheaper than sodding, and you are not bothered with weeds, which are in the sod. See price in grass seed department.

All flower seeds are sent free by mail on receipt of price.

Grandmother's Collection.
(Col . No. 7.)

Consists of 10 packets of the old-fashioned favorite flowers, our selection of varieties. Many of these are now beginning to come into favor again and will please young and old. Price 25c.

Gem Collection.
(Col. No. 8.)

Consists of 10 packets of the latest flower novelties. Our selection, but very desirable and everybody will want them. Try this grand collection and you will be pleasantly surprised at the result. Price 50c.

Children's Collection.
(Col. No. 9.)

Of course the children will want a garden and we desire to encourage them and so offer 6 packets of easily grown flower seeds blooming the first year, our selection of sorts for only 15c.

These collections are put up ready for mailing and cannot be changed or divided. We will furnish all three collections for 85c. They do not duplicate with each other.

Abronia.

Trailing habit similar to verbenas, bearing clusters of sweet-scented flowers. Effective for bedding in masses, and very desirable for rock work or hanging baskets. In beds sometimes one plant covers a yard square and is full of bloom. Best colors mixed. Pkt. 3c.

Abutilon.

A handsome greenhouse plant. Fine mixed. Pkt. 25c.

Adlumia.

(Mountain Fringe). A beautiful hardy perennial vine, with fern-like foliage of a pale green color, with pretty flesh-colored blossoms. It is also called Alleghany Vine. Pkt. 10c.

Acroclinium.

Elegant summer flowering annuals, forming plants about one foot high, bearing quantities of large double flowers of white, rose, etc., 1 to 2 inches across. Splendid everlastings for winter bouquets. Mixed colors. Pkt. 3c.

Ageratum.

Mexicanum.--Very desirable for bouquets; produces a great many blue flowers, and blooms a long time; largely used by florists; start seed early. Pkt. 4c.

Albiflorum.--Like above, only white. Pkt. 5c.

Adonis.

Aestivalis.--Brilliant scarlet. Blossoms throughout the season. Foliage is graceful and feathery. Height one foot. Pkt. 3c.

Agrostemma.

A very hardy plant introduced from Russia, suitable for border plants.

Coeli Rosa.--Perfectly hardy plants, producing pretty, pink-like blossoms on long slender stems. Very useful for cutting for bouquets, and pretty in masses in beds. Also known as Rose of Heaven. About 1 1/2 feet high. Deep rose color. Pkt. 3c.

Alba.--White; fine for cemetery. Pkt. 5c.