Historic, archived document Do not assume content reflects current scientific knowledge, policies, or practices. thy pL ua site R ee ia The first requisite for seed beds and boxes is preparation of the soil, which should be : mellow and friable, a mixture of loam, sand and thoroughly rotted manure.or leaf mould. _ Annuals such as Eschscholtzias, Poppies, Migonette, Centaureas, Candytuft, Calliopsis, Zin- nias, Marigolds, ete., should be planted where they are to grow, and thinned out when two — or three inches high, so each plant may- have more room to develop. Cosmos can be — planted the same way and transplanted if too thick. , Pv ~ Petunias, Pansies, Stocks, Asters, Carnations, Dianthus, Daisies, Brnvatlia, Dahlias, Se 1 ¥ PGeraitunis: Heliotrope and many others are best sown in carefully prepared seed beds or - 2 hae eold frames, and transplanted when two or three inches high. Choose the afternoon of a_ cool day; have the soil moist and mellow, so that.it crumbles fine in the hand. Do. not allow the air to dry out the fine roots, cover them with paper or cloth, as a moment or two of exposure may cause loss. See that the soil comes in between the roots,—use the fingers. — for this,-do not pack them down all together. Itis most important that the soil should be _ pressed down firmly after setiing out; so as ‘to hold plants sey in athe Sr ane also to eee out sun and air. — oc Water carefully and deep, and when the ground settles, draw dey earth over ier oe ground to prevent soil from packing. The next day examine the condition of plants, * and if neeessary press the soil down firmly with the toe, as evaporation often leaves. it~ loose and porous. These directions apply to setting out any plants, large or ‘small. In California, late autumn and early winter are most favorable for sowing Pansies, Bor pies, Nasturtiums, Eschschotzias, Stocks and most perennials, as they love the cool weather for developing their roots, though they may be planted at intervals, most of the |]. ~ year and Lees on in succession. The most unfavorable time is any ae and ‘Sep- tember. ; eS eae ei Sweet Pens and all large deeds should pes sown two or three inches eee other evade cover. about their own depth. Press soil down firmly with a board. Water with a fine spray al-— lowing it to soak in well. It is a good plan to cover seed beds witha light shading s pro- ~ teet them from the hot sun and drying winds. until the plants are well up. Bee a _ Fine seeds, like begonias and greenhouse plants, can be sown in cigar boxes with holes in the bottom, which cover with gravel, or broken pots for drainage. Cover with: soil, eS carefully prepared, press down level, and sow seeds on surface, sift the lightest covering . 1 of sphagnum moss oyer them. Water from below by holding box over a pan of water, al- lowing the soil to absorb it. Cover with a piece of glass and keep in the shade; trans- ~ plant when second or third leaves appear where plants are to grow. Shade till well es- tablished. Ipomea and Dolichos should not be planted till April. Petunia seed, though fine, does much better if sown in seed beds in a sheltered place in the garden; they require the lightest covering possible and the watering must be done with a fine spray, so as not to dislodge the seed. Plants grown this way are much more — vigorous and not apt to damp off, as those grown in boxes. A cold frame, whichis a small — seed bed with a frame around it, and a covering of cloth, is very suitable, where one has |{ — e ‘but few seeds. Petunias transplant well when two or three inches high. Watch out for slugs. They are death on young vegetation, and do their mischief =! } night. They leave their shining trails in greenhouse and gardens. ‘They will often de- i stroy an entire bed of young plants in a single night, and do the most damage in late win- S ter and spring. ‘They are from a half inch to five and six inches long, the small ones are = i equally mischieyeous. Set trapsof carrots and cabbage leaves, or any succulent vegetable, — “ OF whieh they are very fond ; look out for them in the early OrERE or at night, To kill them “hes them in dry salt or salt and water. My : be sash pit rs THEODOSIA B. SHEPHERD. MRS ‘To Customers and Friends: (y" send you most cordial greeting and will be pleased to receive your usual orders for plants etc. We feel sure you will be pleased with our new plants and seeds. We have enjoyed their daily companionship long enough to know their merits. HEN ordering please observe carefully directions for ordering seeds and plants. Always send a 2nd choice list, as we may be short of some varieties. Ask questions on a separate sheet of paper leaving space for answers. Enclose stamps when wishing a reply to letters. ANY of the plants offered in our catalogue are grown only in conservatories or the house in /£ climates where winter prevails, but in Southern California, especially on the coast and a few miles back, most of the plants, bulbs and seeds we offer, can be grown in the open gronnd all the year. “Many plants that attain great proportions in Southern California, never grow more than the height of a few feet in pots in the east We would suggest to our Eastern customers that they give tender plants, especially begonias, the benefit of open ground culture, partial shade in sum- mer, and before frost to cut them back a little and remove them into pots, thus insuring stronger growth for winter. Much can be learned by experimenting. When we first began to grow tender plants in California we were told they would not grow outside, but we experimented, sometimes losing them, but trying again, till we learned their requirements in this climate. (UY supply small plants of many of the common varieties of begonias at $1 per dozen, but we advise all customers sending from a distance to order larger plants and have them sent by express. The stems of young begonias are succulent and watery, and are easily injured and fall apart when packed in close quarters. If they are hardened and fibrous their powers of resistance to heat and cold are very great, which makes it possible to ship them as far as Europe or Asia with safety. A well established begonia will soon recuperate after a long journey even if it loses all its foliage, while a young plant would perish. We will make special prices on large collections of begonias, cactus, ete Weare prepared to furnish fine specimen begonias of various sizes. Prices on application. We make a specialty of hanging baskets. THEODOSIA B. SHEPHERD CoO. HOW VENTURA IS SITUATED. Ge... RA is the county seat of Ventura County with a population of 3000 inhabitants. It lies in a semi-circle at the base of the foot-hills, with the ocean directing in front. East of the town, it widens into a broad fertile valley. Its proximity to the ocean and the protection of the hills north and west, give ita warm sheltered situation, that protects. it from frosts or heavy winds. It is on the main line of the coast road, between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, the former seventy miles south, the latter thirty miles north. Visitors at either place can visit our gardens and return the same day. Intending purchasers will be greatly assisted in making selections of plants by a visit to the gardens, where many fine specimens and varieties of all classes of plants are to be seen growing in the open air. 2 THeEoposta B. SHEPHERD CoMPANY’S CATALOGUE DIRECTIONS FOR ORDERING. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SENDING ORDERS. Our catalogue is free to all customers. The price is ten cents to new applicants, which amount will be added in seeas to the first order amounting to 25 cents. Write name and address plainly. We sometimes receive orders with the address omitted. Send money by Express, Postoffice Money Order, Bank Draft, or Registered Letter. We can- not be responsible for money lost in the mail. Stamps can be sent for small orders amounting to less than one dollar. Customers may select seeds to the value of 20 cents additional for each one dollar of their orders. We will send twenty 10 cent packets of seeds for $1 25: ten 15 cent packets for $1.25; twenty 5 cent packets for 75 cents, postpaid Ti plants or seeds arrive in bad condition, report must be made within ten days, and we will replace same; but can pay no attention to complaints made after some time has elapsed. We will be pleased to receive expressions of satisfaction from purchasers regarding our plants and seeds. We fill no plant orders for less than $1.00, unless 10 cents extra is sent for postage and packing. Always send a second choice list, or state whether money shall be returned if we are out of varieties. We are often put to much unnecessary correspondence, and orders are delayed, by fail- ure to comply with this, our frequent request. Mail orders. We send only the smallest plants by mail postpaid. Purchasers may select 10 cents worth of plants extra on each dollar of order No premiums on plant orders for less than $1.00. No premiums allowed on plants by the dozen, or on new and rare plants. Express orders. All plants with soil, and the larger sizes, also all heavy bulbs, and cactus> will be sent by express or freight at customer’s expense : We will send 20 cents worth of plants extra, our selection, on each dollar, where orders are sent by express. . Write questions or requests for any information on a separate sheet of paper, leaving blank space for 1eplies. TREATMENT OF PLANTS ON ARRIVAL. Plants shipped by express or freight suffer little, if any, as the roots get disturbed but very little if taken out of pots. Some water and shade for a few days will re-establish them. With plants received by mail more care and precaution have to be taken on arrival. On all plants to be shipped by mail the soil has to be removed from the roots in order to lessen the weight, and damp moss and paper take the place of the soil If the plants are the least wilted on arrival, put them in lukewarm water in a shallow pan, for about one hour, leaving the paper and moss undisturbed. This will soon restore their vitality. In potting the plants. after removing moss and paper, use clean pots and loose, fine soil. Take pots only one size larger than the one the plant has grownin. Press the soil well down aiter placing the roots in a natural position, leaving half an inch empty space above the soil for the pot to re- ceive the water. Water should be applied until it runs out at the bottom of the pot. : Keep shady and from the wind or draught for four or five days. Sprinkle the leaves every day, but take care not to wet the soil in the pot too much, which would make the rvots-rot. In any ease avoid extremes in watering or drying out. If the plants are to be cultivated in pots, most of them will be ready to be shifted into larger sized pots in from two to four weeks, according to nature of plants. Bedding plants can be set out at once in the open ground by observing the above rules about watering and shading, provided there is no danger of frost, ete. Tnroposia B. SHEPHERD CoMPANY’S CATALOGUE 3 Cheodosia B. Shepherd Company VENTURA-BY-THE-SEA, CALIFORNIA Novelties and Specialties in Flower Seeds New Sempertlorens Begonias Mrs. Shepherd’s “Good Venture” Mixture Grand new mixture of twenty-five or more varieties from Mrs. Shepherd’s many named and unnamed new seedlings and some new varieties from other sources. Sure to give a great variety of beautiful flowers, pure white, blush, pink and rose, deepest red, and with foliage equally varied. They are easily grown from seed and managed, blooming when only three inches high and contin- uing indefinitely. When the branches have bloomed themselves out after some months, they can be cut back and at once new stems will start up from the roots bringing their bright flowers as they come. They continue on in this way several seasons forming large clumps that can be divided again and again and used for low hedges and borders. 15c pkt. Mrs. Shepherd’s Two New Double Calliopsis Lanceolata Grandiflora, “Golden Fleece’”’ A charming new variety with deep rich golden flowers that measure three inches across. The flowers have 14 to 16 deeply lacinated petals and five or six strap-like petals around the center. Its soft fluffy appearance suggests the name, ‘‘Golden Fleece.’’ 15c pkt. hanceolata, ‘“‘Rosa de Oro” This very pretty variety bears numerous dainty golden flowers with 18 to 20 regularly toothed petals; they are prettily cupped and resemble miniature roses which gives its name, ‘‘Rosa de Oro”’ or ‘‘Rose of Gold.’’ 15c pkt., 2 for 25c. New Chrysanthemum “Storm Petrel’’ A hardy perennial with very fine cut fern-like foliage and dwarf habit. It blooms the first year from seed, and is a profuse and perpetual bloomer. For a pot or basket plant it is very effective. The flowers comes in sprays on long stems, and are very double, snow white, an inch or more across, resembling immense double daisies. 10c¢ pkt. Giant Flowered Dolichos Hyacinth Bean A very showy and beautiful annual climber. The large sweet pea shaped blossoms are. bright scarlet and pure white, and grow in long spikes ten to twelve inches long. It is especially valuable in dry climates, where other vines grow with difficulty ; it makes a dense shade, completely cover- ing verandas and screens. The scarlet variety bears bright, purple pods, which are very orna- mental. Separate or mixed. 10c pkt. . Imperial Tree Dahlias These superb and stately plants bloom from seed the first season. They are of the type of Maxmillian and Imperialis, attaining the height of 8 or 10 feet; they bear great panicles of large, single, drooping lily-like flowers in shades of blush, white, pink, mauve and violet and make very striking and beautiful specimens. They can be growa in tubs outside in the east, should be brought in the house to bloom, after which they can be wintered in the cellar. 15¢ pkt. 4 TuHeoposta B. SHEPHERD ComMPANy’s CATALOGUE Luther Burbank’s Improved Shasta Daisies The seeds we offer are fresh from the gardens of Mr. Luther Burbank, who has been working for the improvement of the original ‘‘Shasta,’’ and who claims that the new sorts are much more beautiful with larger, broader petals and smaller finer centers. 25c pkt. Mrs. Shepherd’s New Climbing Heliotrope “Royal Highness” A magnificent new heliotrope of wonderfully rapid growth, forming immense plants that spread and climb to the height of 10 or 12 feet. It has splendid large trusses of rich purple flowers -and is a most profuse bloomer. Asa covering for walls or bay windows, or hedges, or asa pot plant itis invaluable. 15¢ pkt. © New Yellow Ipomea Chrysantha A magnificent variety from Fernando Po, which has blossomed for us the first time this season. It is the most luxurious and rapid growing vine we have eyer seen, sending out numerous branches 15 to 20 feet long, bearing at the axils of the leaves, clusters of bright, golden yellow flowers, con- volvolus in shape, measuring 24% to 3 inches across. The foliage is very handsome, the leaves being deeply divided into seven lobes The largest at the base of the branches measure nine inches across, while many are about one-half that size. It is a rare and unusua! climber, very orna- mental and useful even without the flowers. Seeds 15¢e per pkt. Cannot supply this until April 1905. Dessecta A very rampant grower, native of India. The leaves are large and finely cut, dark green in color, shaped very much like the old rose geranium The flowers are rather small, 144 inches across, white, with pink throat; the seed vessels are large and shiny, so that they look almost like plums ata distance. Seeds 15c pkt. Mrs. Shepherd’s New “Marvelous” Double Petunias We offer for the first time this superb mixture of double petunias, which in all the years of our experience, we have never seen equaled in great size of flowers, beauty of form, exquisite colors and markings. The flowers measure 3/4 to 5 inches across, colors, snow white, cream, pink, mauve, pure violet, lavender beautifully veined a darker shade, deep purple with exquisite white borders, white delicately edged lavender, red, white and metalic purple. So many and varied are Mrs. SHEPHERD’S New Marvetous DousueE PETUNIAS Trroposta B. SHEPHERD ComMPANY’S CATALOGUE 5 Mrs. SHepHerD’s New Marvetous Dovusie PETuNrAs the colors, it is impossible to do justice to them all. The flowers are frilled, fringed, lacinated and plain edged, the shapes of many are original and unique Our flower loving friends, who plant these seeds of petunias, and watch for their growing and blooming, can understand our deep inter- est and pleasure as each new flower comes forth, showing the result of our summer’s hybridizing: 50c pkt. Mrs. Shepherd’s Petunias “Fairy Frills” A new strain of the fringed hybrid type. The daintiest and prettiest petunias yet introduced. The plants are low spreading and round, about one foot high. The flowers measure from 2 to 244 Mrs. SHEPHERD’S Petunia, ‘‘FArry FRILLS,”’’ 6 THEoposra B. SHEPHERD Company’S CATALOGUE inches across; colors, mostly shades of pure pink and mauve or white veined mauve, while some are white stained with mauve or pink. They are exquisitely dainty in form, and are beautifully ruffled. The under side of the ruffled edge of the pink ones is faced with pinkish mauve, the mauve ones faced a lighter shade and as it frills over makes a charming contrast to the brighter eolor above. Fine for baskets and very effective for bedding; the colors harmonize well with other flowers. 20c pkt. Petunras, DovusLeE Frincep Hysprips—Flowers 33 to 4 iehes aeross GENERAL LIST OF FLOWER SEEDS AGATHEA Coelestis. Blue Daisy. A lovely perennial, bearing numerous sky blue flowers always in bloom, fine for bedding and also for pot plants. 10c pkt. ABUTILONS, California Bells. This mixture is saved from choice named varieties Flowers all colors and shades.- All graceful and artistic. 10e pkt. AGAPANTHUS Umbellatus. Blue African Lily. Two varieties separate. Blue and white. 10c eaeh pkt. PAG ANTIGONON Leptopus. A magnifieent elimber. The flowers exquisite pink, foliage very handsome. 10e pkt. ALOES, Splendid Mixed. Very handsome and interesting. 1(Ce pkt. : AGAVE Filamentosa. A splendid variety, resembling a huge rosette, very rare. Seeds are seldom offered. 10e pkt. ARCTOTUS Grande. A very pretty margnerite-like annual. Flowers two inches aeross, white with blue center. 10c¢ pkt. ASPARAGUS Sprengerii. panicles cf small pure- white flowers, have an airy fairy-like look that is enchanting. 25c to 50c¢ each. Viaudi. A cross be- tween Pictavense and Duchartrei but more vigorous. Theleaves are large dark green, thick and velvety, dark red underneath. The creamy white flowers which rise on long strong stems, are adorned with bright red silken hairs, the buds resembling little bulls of red chenille. 35e¢ to 75c. Martiana. A very rare and distinet tuber- ous begonia from Mex- ico. Dormant in winter, but comes up in the TRAILING BEGONIA, SCANDENS ‘‘W HITE Fatry.’’ spling, with beautiful glossy, round leaves, and sends up a main stein with side branches, bearing close to the stem (like balsam or hollyhock) fine, large, clear pink flowers; In April 1905; 25e, 5%c. TuHeovosia Bb. SHEPHERD CoMPANY’S CATALOGUE 23 Vesuve, A beautiful variety of the Chas. Roocker type, but of more bushy habit. It is a perpetual bloomer and bears showers of drooping red starlike flowers. 15c to 25e each. Magnifica. A charming plant from Europe, of compact habit, small beautiful, bright red leaves and stems, and bright red flowers. An exquisitely bright little thing. It grows about twelve inches high. 25c to 50e each. Gracilis. Resembling the above but with a more spreading habit, small green leaves and innumerable bright pink flowers, charming. 15c to 25c. Large Leaved Begonias. A class whose natural habit is to grow prostrate with heavy stems that root along the ground, and send up branches with numerous stems, and very long stemmed leaves and flowers. Ricinifolia. A fine tropical looking plant with large ricinus-like leaves, 12 inches or more in diameter, on long stems; deep velvety green above, and purplish red underneath. The flower stems rise three or four feet, or more above the foliage, bearing aloft fine, large, airy panicles of beautiful pale pink flowers. The stems grow along the surface of the ground. It makes a fine pot plant, and grows very large when planted outside. Small plants 20c; large sizes 30c, 50¢ and $1.00 each. Ricinifolia Maculata. A beautiful and rare variety having very large deeply lobed leaves with ruffled edges. The color is a rich yellowish green, stained and veined with lighter and darker shades. The flower stems are long; the flowers in spikes, and a beautiful pink, shaded light pea green; they are very pretty and keep well; a winter bloomer. 50c each. Ricinifolia Nigricans. A variety with very beautiful foliage of the ricinifolia type. The lustrous dark green lobed leaves have a greenish black tint around the lobes, pretty white flow- ers are shaded green; very rare and beautiful. 50c¢ each. Rubella. A very popular variety with leaves somewhat smaller than the two above. They are a pallid, shining brownish green, spotted with numerous irregular dark brown spots; pale pink flowers on rather Jong stems. 1d¢ to 50e each. - Carolinafolia.