1889

34. Seed Catalogue and Garden Guide.

[left column] [continued from previous page] as some other varieties, but its handsome appearance makes it thebest selling variety for market men; per 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Deacon- This is one of the dark green, thick leaved sorts, nearly all of which are of good quality. Head compact, roundish or a little flattened when of full size, in some plants measuring fully five inches in diameter. Outer leaves few in number, which with the perfectly defined head give the plant a very distinct appearance; 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Oak Leaved Lettuced- The distinguishing feature of this new variety of Lettuce is in its oak shaped leaves, the broader part set to stem and pointed at the tip, thus giving it a very unique, handsome and attractive appearance. It is of quick growth and possessed of fine flavor and extreme tenderness; per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz, 20c. ... 5.

Golden Heart-Produces heads of very large size, firm and solid and grows quickly. Outer color dark green, leaves delicately curled; within the heart is a beautiful, rich golden yellow; quality excellent; 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

New Tomhannock- This forms a beautiful plant 10 to 12 inches high by 9 to 10 inches across. The edges of the outer leaves are of a glossy reddish bronze handsomely wrinkled; within the leaves are almost white. In our test it made large heads quicker than any other variety, but the leaf stalks are too large and cumbersome; per oz. 25c. ... 5.

Burpee's Hardhead - Very large, dark brownish green, forms good solid heads of good quality. Grows slowly and stands heat well; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ...5.

Brown Dutch- Head of medium size. Very hardy, and the leading variety for winter use; per 1/4 lb. 35c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Curled India- Resembles Drumhead, but later; of fine quality; per 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Paris White Cos- Tender, brittle, mild flavor, very superior quality; must be tied up or blanched under pots to develop its good qualities; per 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Mixed Varieties- Seed of about twenty early, medium and late sorts mixed together, thus giving Lettuce for the table during the entire season, and giving an opportunity to examine all the leading varieties with but little expense; per oz. 20c. ... 5.

LEEK- Ger. Lauch. One ounce will sow 100 feet of drill.

This is a branch of the Onion family, and is preferred by some to the Onion. Sow early in spring, and when plants are three or four inches high, thin to eight inches apart. Hoe the earth well up to the stalk to blanch it.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, two leeks with roots.]

London Flag- Very hardy; per 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Large Rouen- A favorite variety with market gardeners. Largest and most uniform of all; per 1/4 lb. 75c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

[right column]

Martynia-(For Pickles.) One ounce will plant 1000 hills.

Plant in May, in hills four feet apart. The seed pods which are used quite largely for pickling, should be gathered when they are green and tender; per 1/4 lb. 75c; oz. 25c. ... 10.

Melon- Musk--Ger. Melone.

One ounce will plant about 80 hills; two pounds to the acre.

The soil best adapted to the culture of Melons is a warm, rich, sandy loam. Plant in hills five or six feet apart each way, ten to twelve seeds in each hill. When they begin to vine, thin out, leaving only four of the most thrifty. As Melons are very sensitive to cold, they should not be planted till the settled warm weather sets in, in this latitude about tbe middle of May. Cultivation should commence as soon as the plants appear above the ground, and be kept up once a week until the vines interfere too much.

Improved Early Hackensack- See novelties, page 5; per lb. $1.50; 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 10.

Emerald Gem- A splendid novelty. See description on page 5; per lb. $1.75; 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 10.

The Princess- See description with novelties, page 6; per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 10.

Osage- See novelties, page 9; per oz. 35c .... 10.

Jenny Lind- A small, very early Melon of most delicious flavor; almost round, flattened at the end; distinctly ribbed and finely netted, green fleshed. (See cut.) Per lb. 90c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, Jenny Lind melon.]

Golden Netted Gem - A very early, rather small round Melon, with thick light green flesh of luscious flavor. Very productive, of a handsome appearance and very uniform in size; keeps well after picking; per lb. $1.00; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Orange Christiana- One of the earliest and most delicious of all varieties; per lb. $1.00; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Miller's Orange Cream- A splendid novelty of 1887. Entirely different from any other Melon on the list; shallow ribbed, thin rind, finely netted; the flesh varies from a light green to a rich salmon in color, owing, we believe, to its being a hybrid; flavor is very sweet; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 10.

Skillman's Fine Netted - Flesh green, sugary and excellent quality; per lb. 90c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Green Citron- Per lb. 90c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Green Nutmeg- Fruit oval, good size, rich, exquisite flavor; a general favorite; per lb. 90c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Bay View- This variety which is so rapidly growing in favor is of large size, deliciously rich, sweet and luscious. Our crop of this did magnificently, and our seed cannot be excelled; per lb. 85c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa. 35.

[left column] Casaba- One of the largest and best Musk Melons in cultivation. Flesh green, very sweet, melting and delicious; per lb. 85c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Improved Cantelope- Large size, flesh light green, most delicious flavor, superior for market or private gardens; per lb. 90c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Surprise- Thin, cream colored skin, thickly netted; flesh deep salmon color, very thick and highly flavored; surprisingly productive; per lb. $1.00; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Bird's Cantelope- Early, large size, fine flavor, and good keeping qualities. The flesh is thick, light green in color, and of fine quality. They have been grown to weigh 22 pounds, measuring 34 by 38-1/2. inches; per 1/4 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

New Banana- Attain a length of from 18 inches to three feet three inches, and are from two to four inches thick. Flesh very thick, of a salmon color; in flavor simply remarkably delicious, and equal to any melon you have ever eaten.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration of Banana Melon. Overprinted text- Banana Melon.]

It looks almost like an over-grown banana, and, moreover smells like one, hence the name. You will regret it if you do not include the "Banana" in your order. It is not only a curiosity, but in flavor unquestionably fine. Per 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Turk's Cap, or Hackensack- Large size, deeply ribbed and netted; flesh green, thick and of delicious flavor; per lb. 80c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz.10c. ... 5.

Montreal Market- Uniformly of large size, averaging from fifteen to twenty pounds in weight. Flesh very thick and of fine flavor; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Melon- Water- Ger. Wasser-Melone.

One ounce will plant about 60 hills.

It is of the utmost importance that all Melon growers should have the very best of seeds, and those who have given our seeds a trial in the past are so well pleased that they continue to use them. It pays to have the best.

Plant in hills eight feet apart and cultivate same as Musk Melon.

STOKES' EXTRA EARLY- This new melon is, without doubt, the earliest of all. Our illustration, made from a photograph, shows their shape, which is nearly round, dark green skin, slightly mottled with white. The flesh deep scarlet, remarkably solid, and in delicious sugary flavor is unsurpassed. Their average weight is about fifteen pounds. The seed is very small, being only about half the size of other melon seeds; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 10.

[right column]

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, vine, split melon, full melon. Caption-Stokes' Extra Early.]

Vick's Early- A new variety of medium size; flesh bright pink, solid and sweet; said to be the earliest variety in cultivation; per lb, $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Phinney's Early - Flesh deep red, superior quality, early and productive, valuable market variety; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Peerless, or Ice Cream-(White-seeded) Of unquestionable quality, medium size, thin rind, flesh bright scarlet; lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz.10c. ... 5.

True Dark Icing, or Ice Rind- There are two distinct types of this melon; this one, which we consider the best, is known as the dark icing. It is a very solid sort with a thin rind, and possesses a most delicious flavor; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Omeler's Triumph- It is a variety originated in Central Asia, of medium size, dark glossy green color, and the sweetest of any variety we know of. Flesh is dark red, mottled with yellow, very early. The seeds are so small that they can be swallowed without the slightest inconvenience, being only about one-ninth the size of ordinary melon seed. Per oz. 25c. ... 10.

Long Light Icing- This strain of the Icing Melon, while not as well liked here as the Dark Icing, is still very popular in some sections; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

True Georgia Rattlesnake, or Gipsy- Fruit large, oblong, striped; flesh red, of fine quality. An excellent variety for market; lb. 80c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Haskell's Excelsior- Flesh bright red; very superior quality, large size, frequently weighing over 40 pounds; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Mountain Sprout- Lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Monntain Sweet- Lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

36. Seed Catalogue and Garden Guide. [left column]

Kolb Gem- The Kolb Gem Melon grows of

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration of a Kolb Gem Melon, A. Blanc, Phila.

a more uniformly large size, opens up better, ships, keeps better, is more prolific and sells for nearly double the price in all the markets of the country than any other variety. They are suited for the North, South, East or West, near by or far away markets. In short, they are perfection, and fill the bill in every particular. Every melon grower should get them at once; per lb. 80c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Johnson's Christmas- A most valuahle, new and distinct variety. They have been kept in a cool cellar for over four months, and cut open as fresh and delicious as the day they were picked. Their valuable keeping and shipping qualities are due to a peculiar, hard tenacious coating or outside enameling of the skin, which also gives them an exceedingly handsome and fresh appearance, even after being kept for months after ripening. The flesh is of a beautiful rich scarlet, very solid, and of delicious, sugary flavor; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 10.

Orange- A curiosity. The rind of this variety, when ripe, peels off from the flesh like the skin of an orange, leaving it a very handsome fruit to place on the table; per 1/4 lb. 45c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Cuban Queen- This is cetainly [certainly] one of the largest Melons in culivation. The skin is beautifully striped, light and dark green; flesh is dark red, very solid, crisp and sugary. They always command an extra price in the market because of their great size and handsome appearance. (See cut.) Per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz.10c. ... 5.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, Cuban Queen melon.]

Black Spanish- Large size, almost round, skin dark green, flesh red; per lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

SCALY BARK- The rind is very thin, yet so tough and strong that the Melons will bear any amount of handling without bursting or cracking open. The flesh is light crimson in color, very tender and of excellent flavor. The average weight is thirty-five pounds. (See cut.) Per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, Scaly Bark Melon, melon slice.]

[right column]

Pride of Georgia- Is a dark green mottled color, nearly oval, ridged like an orange, grows partly upon its end; is firm, will ship well, attains a large size, and is very sweet and crisp; lb. $1.15; 1/4 lb. 35c; oz.10c. ... 5.

Mammoth Iron Clad- Of very large size; has weighed 128 pounds, and an entire crop averaging 50 pounds each; attractive shape and appearance, and excellent quality; a good shipper; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c ... 5.

Gray Monarch- A large, long melon, in great favor among the Southern melon growers; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Sculptured Seeded- Cream colored flesh; per lb. $1.25; 1/4 lb. 35c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Colorado Preserving- The best melon for preserving; per lb . $1,50; 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Citron- For preserves; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Mustard- Ger. Senf. One ounce will sow about 75 feet of drill. A pungent salad, used sometimes with Cress, also elegant for greens. Sow thickly in rows, and cut when about two inches high.

White English, or Londen- Per lb. 50c; 1/4 20c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Brown or Black- Lb. 40c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Nasturtium- Ger. Indianish Kresse. One ounce will sow 20 feet of drill. The seeds, while young and succulent, are pickled and used as capers. The plants are also highly ornamental; the tall variety makes an excellent screen or covering for unsightly places in the garden. Sow in drills one inch deep after the ground has become warm.

Tall- Mixed colors; per 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ...5.

Dwarf- Mixed colors; per 1/4 lb. 75c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Okra, or Gumbo- Ger. Essberra. One ounce will sow about 80 feet of drill.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, Okra plant, Blanc. Captions run vertically along drawing- (left side) Try Okra This Year. (right side) You Will Like It.]

Its long pods when young are used in soups stews, etc., and are believed to be very nutritious. Sow at the usual time of all tender vegetables, in drills two inches deep, setting the plants from two to three feet apart.

New Improved Dwarf- Very productive; per lb. $1.00; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa. 37.

[left column]

Onion--Ger. Zwiebel. One ounce will sow about 100 feet of drill; 4 pounds will sow one acre.

This is, with perhaps the one exception of Cabbage, the most important crop grown, both in market and family gardens, and there is no other vegetable where the quality of the seed exerts a greater influence upon the crop than in Onions. There is more Money in Onions grown from the seed than in almost any other crop. Those grown from our select High Grade Onion Seed possess the following qualifications of superior merit:

7 POINTS Earliness, Productiveness, Reliability, Perfect Shaped Bulbs, Solidity, Fine Texture and Keeping Qualities. Sowing seed to produce large Onions is the cheapest, easiest, best and most satisfactory way.

The crop of onion seed has been very light this year everywhere, and we predict a great scarcity and highter prices late in the season. However, we now have about one ton of as nice, heavy onion seed as was ever grown and we will not increase price until this stock is exhausted. Those wanting five pounds or more should write for prices.

Large Onions can easily be grown the first year from the seed by obtaining our seed, which is all northern grown, and new, crop of 1888. It won't pay you to use the cheap imported or southern grown seed, which produce a large proportion of scullions and Onions that will not keep well. Poor seed, even as a gift, is the dearest the planter can use. We want you to try our seed, and have therefore put the price down to as low a rate as good, reliable seed can be sold at.

Culture- As early as the ground can be worked in the spring, sow the seed in drills fourteen inches apart, covering one-half inch, they should be in rich sandy soil, which is as free from weeds as possible. Commence hoeing as soon as rows can be seen;

[Image: Boxed Drawing/Scratchboard Illustration, a numbered selection of 6 different kinds of onions with stems twisted together for hanging. Caption- No. 1, Extra Early Red; No. 2, Large Red Weathersfield; No. 3, Yellow Globe Danvers; No. 4, White Portugal; No. 5, Extra Early Pearl; No. 6, White Globe.]

[right column]

skim the ground over the surface; avoid stirring deeply, and work the soil away from the bulbs. At second hoeing, weed carefully and thoroughly by hand. When the tops die, pull and spread evenly over the ground; stir or turn until fully dried, then cut the tops one-half inch from the bulb.

For Pickles or Sets- Good ground should be prepared as above, and the seed should be sown very thickly in broad drills, about 40 pounds to the acre for sets, and 15 to 20 pounds for pickling.

Extra Early Pearl- Earliest of all. Pearly white translucent, growing almost with the rapidity of a Radish, form flat, flavor very mild. Wonderfully fine. Try it; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 90c; oz. 25c. ... 10.

Extra Early Red- Very early, matures about two weeks before the Weathersfield; per lb. $2; 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

White Portugal, Silver Skin- Matures early; very mild flavor, medium size, and generally preferred for table use; not a good keeper; per lb. $2.75; 1/4 lb 70c; oz. 25c. ... 5.

Large Red Wethersfield- The standard sort throughout the West, as they are more hardy and immense crops can be raised when more tender varieties would fail. They grow to a large size, fine form; skin deep purplish red, moderately fine grained and strong flavor. Very productive and an excellent keeper. For shipping purposes it is considered one of the best, as it will bear almost any amount of handling without any apparent injury. Five lbs. by express at $[?0.00] per lb.; per lb. $1.80; 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c. ... 5.

Yellow Glove Danvers- Although not quite so large as the above, we consider it a better Onion in every way for general use; per lb. $2; 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Large White Globe- The hansomest [handsomest] market variety we have ever seen. Large size, oval form, very even, mild and pleasant [continued next page]

38. Seed Catalogue and Garden Guide. [left column] [continued from previous page] flavor, good keeper, out-sells every other variety; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 90c; oz. 30c. ... 5.

Southport Red Globe- Differs from above only in color; per lb. $2.25; 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Yellow Dutch- Per lb. $2; 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Imported Varieties. Most of these varieties grow to an enormous size and are more mild flavored than any of the above. We recommend all to try at least a few for their own home use, or for early market. They do not keep well in this climate. The imported onion seed does not as a rule vegetate as well as the American grown, and therefore seed should be sown somewhat thicker.

Copper King- The largest of all. See novelties, page 3; per oz. 50c. ... 10.

Mammoth Silver King- See description on novelty sheet; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 85c; oz. 25c. ... 10.

New Mammoth Spanish King- This is the celebrated Spanish fancy Onion, which is annually imported from Spain, and sold by confectioners and fruit dealers in all the larger cities at from 25 to 50 cents each. They do well in this country, and have been grown here to the weight of 3-3/4 pounds. Skin is of a rich yellow color, while flesh is pure white, sweet, mild and tender; per 1/4 lb. $1.00; oz. 30c. ... 10.

New Queen- A very nice extra early silver-skinned Onion, the best keeper of the foreign sorts. Very mild flavored and excellent for pickling; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 90c; oz. 25c. ... 5.

Giant Rocca- Very large, frequently weighing three and one-half pounds. Globular form, mild, delicate flavor; per lb. $2.25; 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Marzagole- Large silvery Onion; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 80c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Paris White Pickling or Small Silver Skin- For pickling. This is of small size, silvery white, and used almost entirely for pickling on account of its small size, handsome appearance and mild flavor; per lb. $2; 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c. ... 5.

Onion Sets. The sets should be planted as early in spring as the ground is dry enough to work; plant them in rows one foot apart, with sets three or four inches apart. When raised from sets the Onions can be used in the green state very early, or they will be ripened off by July. Sets are produced by sowing the seeds very thickly in beds or drills, and whenever the tops die down, the small bulbs or sets are gathered and kept spread thinly in a cold, dry cellar or loft, until the following spring. The Potato and Top Onions are grown only from the bulbs. Price by the peck subject to change of market.

White Onion Sets- Per pk. $2; qt. 30c; or postpaid qt. 45c.

Yellow Onion Sets- Per pk. $1.25; qt. 25c; or postpaid qt. 40c.

Red Onion Sets- Per pk. $1.25; qt. 25c; or postpaid qt. 40c.

Potato Onions- Per pk. $1.75; qt. 30c; or postpaid qt. 45c.

[right column]

Top, or Button Onions- Per pk. $1.50: qt. 30c; or postpaid qt. 45c.

Perennial, or, Winter Onion Sets- May be set out in either the spring or the fall. They are perfectly hardy, the first in market for spring use, and are coming into general use among the market gardeners, who usually set them out about Sep. 1; per pk. $1; qt. 20c; postpaid qt. 35c.

Parsnips- Ger. Pastinake. One ounce will sow 200 feet of drill; five pounds to acre.

Sow early in spring in good rich soil, which has been plowed deep, in drills fifteen inches apart, covering half an inch. Thin to five or six inches apart in rows. They are improved by the frost.

Long Sugar, or Hollow Crown- The standard for either table use or stock feeding, very tender, sugary, excellent flavored, large sized, white and smooth; per lb. 50c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz 10c. ... 5.

Sutton's Student- Fine flavored; per lb. 65c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c ... 5.

Iowa Seed Co.'s Improved Guernsey- The best variety grown. Try it. See novelties, page 8; per lb. $1.25; 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 15c. ... 10.

Parsley- Ger. Petersilie. Once ounce will sow 150 feet of drill.

Sow in March thinly in drills one foot apart, half an inch deep. Soak seed in warm water a few hours before sowing. For winter use, protect in a glass frame or light cellar.

Champion Moss Curled- A very select stock, beautifully crimped and curled. Decidedly the best and most popular variety for general use. Quite decorative for garnishing; per 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Plain Leaved- The hardiest and strongest growing variety. Leaves dark green. The best flavored for seasoning; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c. ... 5.

Peas--Ger. Erbse. One quart will plant about 100 feet of drill.

Peas mature quickest in light, dry soil, not too rich. May be sown as early as the ground can be worked. And for a succession, every two weeks up to July, or what is still better, select several kinds which will form a succession in maturing, and sow all at about the same time. Sow in drills two to four feet apart, according to varieties, not less than four inches deep for general crop, although the first earlies will come to maturity sooner if only covered one and one-half to two inches. Wrinkled sorts are marked *. They should be sown thicker in the row than the smooth varieties, as they are more liable to rot. Our Seed Peas are of the very best quality obtainable, and we believe cannot fail to please the most critical. Mulching lightly between the rows with straw is recommended to prevent mildew, and pinching the terminal shoots promotes earliness.

[following text inside column-width box] Prices Include Postage. See special prices by the peck and bushel, at the end of Vegetable List. Market Gardeners and Canners write for prices. 15 cts. per quart discount if sent by express.