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IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 29.

[image] IMPROVED CHICAGO PICKLE.

CUCUMBER.
One ounce will plant 50 hills; two pounds will plant one acre.
Cucumbers succeed best in a rich, loamy soil. For first early, sow in hotbeds, in berry boxes, or in small flower pots, six weeks before they can be set out in open ground. When danger of frost is over transplant in hills four feet apart each way. For general crop, plant in open ground in May, about twelve seeds in a hill. When danger of bugs is past, thin to four strong plants in a hill. For pickling, plant in June. Sprinkle vines with plaster or air- slaked lime to protect from the bugs, or Slug Shot will kill the bugs. We are the largest growers of cucumber seed in this part of the country. Our sales one year amounted to 9,675 pounds of the three leading varieties, all of our own growing. At two pounds to the acre this quantity would seed 4,837 acres. A very reasonable estimate of the yield would be $225.00 per acre, making a total cash value of product $1,088,325.00, grown from our cucumber seed in one year. What firm in America can equal this record?
WESTERFIELD'S IMPROVED CHICAGO PICKLE.--Mr. Westerfield, having been engaged in growing pickles for Chicago pickle factories for many years, and also in supplying them with seed for other growers, has watched carefully and selected his seed stock from the most prolific and early maturing vines having the most desirable shaped cucumbers for pickles. Consequently his strain is now considered by all growers in that vicinity to be the best stock to grow. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
EARLY CLUSTER.--Grows in clusters. Productive and of good quality. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c.
BOSTON, OR JERSEY PICKLE.--Is used almost exclusively by the market gardeners near Boston for pickling. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c.

IMPROVED LONG GREEN.--Old standard sort; crisp, tender and of good flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
SNAKE.--A remarkable and very interesting curiosity. Cucumbers grow curled up like a snake with the head protruding, and sometimes are six feet in length. Although attaining great size, the quality is only fair. Grown chiefly as a curiosity, and to exhibit at fairs. Packets only, 10c, 3 for 25c.
NEW ASTRO.--A rare novelty, sure to excite the curiosity of your neighbors. With common outdoor culture it will grow fifteen to eighteen inches in length, with very few seeds. Excellent for slicing. Flesh white and crisp. More fully described with novelties. Per pkt. 10c, 6 for 50c.
NEW JAPANESE CLIMBING.--This may be described as the sensational novelty of Europe. The seed was originally brought from Japan about five years ago, and has proven thoroughly adapted to open air culture throughout Europe and America. The vines are of healthy, vigorous growth, with rich, dark green foliage, and throw out strong, grasping tendrils, which enable it to climb trellis, wire netting, brush or any other suitable support. It clings so tightly that it is not prostrated by heavy storms of wind or rain. It comes into bearing quickly and continues to set fruit abundantly throughout the season, while the climbing habit of growth enables the hanging fruit to grow perfectly straight. Of large size, from 12 to 16 inches in length; cucumbers thick, exceedingly tender, of delicate flavor, cylindrical shape, flesh pure white, skin dark green, turning to brown and netted when ripe; of excellent quality for slicing, and when young make attractive pickles. They made a grand crop on our place this year. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.

July 25, 1895.--The seeds we purchased from you last spring were far ahead of any we ever used. The New Astro cucumber far exceeds all expectations and we now have several specimens over 26 inches in length.
N. W. HICKLIN, Boone Co., Iowa.

[image] NEW CLIMBING JAPANESE CUCUMBER

EARLY FRAME, OR SHORT GREEN.--Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c.
GREEN PROLIFIC.--Splendid pickling sort. Very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
NICHOL'S MEDIUM GREEN.--Fruit of medium length, nearly cylindrical, very uniform in shape, and of good color when young. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 70c.
WHITE PEARL.--In habit of growth it is entirely distinct, setting the cucumbers very close around the stem, and maturing these early, then afterward the vines continue to run and bear freely throughout the season. The cucumbers grow so thickly together that they actually lie piled one upon the other. The skin is very smooth and entirely free from spines. In color they are a beautiful pearly white; even the young fruits are of a very light color, nearly as pure white as when ready for use. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.00.
WEST INDIAN GHERKIN, OR BURR.--Makes a handsome pickle of first class quality. Be sure and try it. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c.

[image] ASTRO

[image] PERFECT WHITE SPINE. (From a photograph taken on our Adair County Seed Farm.)

IOWA SEED CO.'S PERFECT WHITE SPINE.--Prominent horticulturists and experienced market gardeners pronounce this variety to be undoubtedly the best strain in existence. For 15 years we have been growing and improving this variety on our seed farm and as a result we offer to our customers this improved strain, pronounced by good judges superior to either Peerless or Arlington. Fruit of even and good size, straight, well formed and symmetrical. When small it is deep green in color, and of uniform shape, making it unexcelled for pickling. When of usual size for slicing it still holds its color, shading to a light green at blossom end. As it matures it turns to a clear white, very showy for market. Immensely productive, and keeps longer solid and crisp than any other variety. Outyields any other for pickles. Crop was large this year and we have made price low. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c. By express, 5 lbs. or more at 45c per lb.