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22. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] NEW CLIMBING JAPANESE CUCUMBER

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 the vines with platster or air-slacked lime to protect from the bugs, or use Slug Shot to kill the bugs.
NEW ASTRO.--A rare novelty, sure to excite the curiosity of your neighbors. With common out-door 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.
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. 20c, lb. 50c.

[image] IMPROVED CHICAGO PICKLE.

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, tender, of delicate flavor, cylindrical shape, flesh pure white, skin dark green, turning to brown and netted when ripe; of excellent quality for slicing. They made a grand crop on our place last year. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.20.

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

EARLY CLUSTER.--Grows in clusters. Productive and of good quality. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.
EARLY FRAME, OR SHORT GREEN.--Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.
GREEN PROLIFIC.--Splendid pickling sort. Very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.

WHITE PEARL.--Bears freely throughout the season, and 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 a white as when ready for use. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25[c], lb. 75[c].
IOWA SEED CO.'S PERFECT WHITE SPINE.--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. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c. By express, 5 lbs. or more at 35c per lb.
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.
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. 50c.
IMPROVED LONG GREEN.--Old standard sort; crisp, tender and of good flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
NICHOL'S MEDIUM GREEN.--Fruit medium length, nearly cylindrical, very uniform in shape, and of good color when young. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50[c].
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 for exhibition. Pkts. only, 10c each.

GOURDS.
The following varieties will be found quite serviceable in any household. No one would think, without having tried them, of the many uses they can be put to. Cultivate as cucumbers; or they may be trained over lattice work, fences, etc.
JAPANESE NEST-EGG.--Grows almost uniformly to the size, color and shape of a hen's egg. The shells are hard and durable and make the very best nest eggs; as they do not crack. The largest ones, when sawed in two, make excellent pots for starting tomato, strawberry and other plants. Pkt. 5c, oz. 20c.
DIPPER.--Makes a more light and convenient dipper than can be bought. Dippers of various sizes, of a capacity of from a pint to a quart and a half, can be had from a few vines. Pkt. 5c, oz. 15c.
SUGAR TROUGH.--Very convenient for buckets, baskets, nest boxes, etc. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c.
LUFFA, or DISH CLOTH.--The peculiar lining of this fruit, which is sponge-like, porous, tough, elastic and durable, makes a natural dish-cloth or sponge. The seed should be started early in a hot-bed or in the house. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 40c.
HERCULES CLUB.--Grows to immense size--sometimes 4 to 6 feet long. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.
MIXED UTILITY GOURDS.--Seeds of the above varieties mixed. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.

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