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Seven Grand Roses.

On the front cover of our catalogue we illustrate the seven grand varieties described below. Remember, our colored plate of roses shows them only one-third of the natural size. They are of such exquisite beauty that our representation
can give but a faint idea of their rare beauties, and all should see them in order to more fully appreciate their charms.
We have reduced prices, and this year offer strong plants at prices named, by mail postpaid.

No. 1. EMPRESS AUGUSTA VICTORIA- The finest white rose in existence
for summer blooming, and one of the greatest acquisitions of
recent years. It is a true "Tea Rose," soft pearly white, remarkably
fragrant, a strong, healthy grower, with bold, beautiful foliage. The
habit is free; the beautiful, perfectly shaped flowers are borne in profusion
on long graceful stems, so that it will be invaluable for cut flowers.
Professional florists have been quick to perceive the great value
of this peerless variety, and it is now more eagerly sought after than
almost any rose on the market. It is a continuous bloomer, the buds
being of elegant perfect shape, while the full, open flower is unsurpassed
and shows no center. Very fragrant. Each 25c, 5 for $1.00.

No. 2. CHAMPION OF THE WORLD- A remarkable new sort,
which combines the most desirable qualities. It has stood the severe
winters of Vermont in the open ground without the slightest protection.
It is the champion bloomer, commencing to bloom as soon as
potted from the propagating bench, and continues in the greatest profusion
all the time. It is claimed that one plant of it will produce more
flowers during the year than ten plants of any Tea rose. Plants which
have bloomed all summer in the garden may be potted in the autumn
and will immediately start new growth and bloom all winter in the window.
Blossoms are perfectly double to the center, of good shape, both
in bud and blossom, while its color is a degree of loveliness which few
roses can equal, being a rich, deep rosy pink. Each 20c, 6 for $1.00.

No. 3. NEW RAINBOW- This new rose from California, which no
doubt will be extensively planted, was awarded a silver cup by the
State floral society. The color is a lovely shade of deep coral pink
striped and mottled in the most unique manner with intense crimson,
and elegantly colored with rich golden amber at center and base of
petals. It makes beautiful buds, and the flowers are extra large, very
sweet, and of great depth and substance. It is a most charming new
variety. Each 20c. 6 for $1.00.

No. 4. DWARF MARECHAL NEIL-(Our Perle)-Poets never tire
of singing the praises of Marechal Neil, the most famous of all roses.
Its magnificent golden yellow buds are worn the world over, and the
people always delight in it. This grand dwarf variety is of the easiest
culture and sure to succeed for everyone. It is a sturdy, vigorous
grower, strong and healthy, but shows no inclination to climb. The
flowers are produced in the greatest profusion, and it blooms almost
continuously the year round if well cared for. The buds are of the
most beautiful golden yellow, perfectly formed and handsomely pointed,
and of the largest and most massive size, the petals being slightly
reflexed. The color always has a peculiar softness and delicacy not observed
in any other variety. Unusually fragrant. Each 15c, 8 for $1.00.

No. 5. SOUVENIR DE WOOTON--This superb rose is unquestionably
one of the finest varieties ever introduced for either summer or
winter blooming. The color is a beautiful shade of velvety crimson,
equal to the noted General Jacqueminot, deliciously fragrant, a constant
and most prolific bloomer, every new shoot forming a flower bud.
It is a very vigorous grower, and the full open flowers are frequently
six inches in diameter. It has proved hardy in the open ground as far
north as southern Iowa. Each 20c, 6 for $1.00.

No. 6. CLOTHILDE SOUPERT- A charming variety which should
be in the collection of every lover of roses. It originated with one of
the largest firms of rose growers in Europe, by a hybridization of a Tea
and Polyantha rose, thus giving it the large flower and strong growth
of the Tea class added to the profuse flowering of the Polyantha. It
makes a handsome symmetrical bush fifteen to eighteen inches high.
The flowers are large, very double, of perfect shape, the outer petals
are pearly white, shading to a center of rosy pink. It is fragrant and a
constant bloomer. Sure to become a favorite, either for pot plants or
garden bedding. Each 15c, 8 for $1.00

No. 7. ROSA WICHURIANA- This novelty from Japan is a trailing
species of very rapid growth, making a closely matted bed of very
dark green foliage. The leaves are quite small, nearly round, shining
and nearly evergreen. The flowers are produced in greatest profusion
in July, after the June roses are past, and more sparingly throughout
the season. They are single, pure white, with golden yellow stamens,
from seven to nine inches in circumference, with a strong and sweet
fragrance. It is an invaluable variety for beds, banks, rockeries, and
beautiful, appropriate and enduring for cemetery use, not only when
covered with its exquisite flowers, but also for its rich carpet effect up
to the very last of the season. It will be wanted by everyone when
known. It is perfectly hardy and requires no care after being planted.
Each 20c, 6 for $1.00

No. 8. SOLANUM JASMINOIDES GRANDIFLORUM- This beautiful
new plant is of trailing or climbing habit, but if desired can be cut back
a bush form. It has star shaped flowers, something like a clematis, and
borne in large clusters or panicles frequently a foot across. They are
in color a pure white with violet tinge on the back; it is equally a good
bloomer in summer and winter, and is wonderfully effective when
planted to cover a low wall or trellis, showing hundreds of magnificent
panicles of bloom. The blooms remain perfect for a long time before
fading. Each 15c, 8 for $1.00.

COLLECTION- One good strong plant each of the above seven roses
and the Solanum will be sent postpaid for only $1.00. 6 collections for
$5.00.

Fruit and Vegetables on Back Cover.

[Image. An anchor with 'CHOICE,' 'IOWA SEEDS,' 'TESTED AND TRUE,' AND 'IOWA SEED CO. DES MOINES' written on it.]

REDFIELD RASPBERRIES - This grandest
fruit novelty of the year we are pleased to offer
our customers this season, as it has never before
been offered for sale, and can be obtained only
from us. It originated near the town of Redfield,
Iowa, and is doubtless a cross between the Turner
and Mammoth Cluster. It is somewhat similar to
Shaffer's Collosal in color and shape, but there the
resemblance ceases. The canes are very vigorous
and unusually free from thorns or spines, being,
in fact, quite smooth. The foliage is similar to
the Turner, yet it propagates from the tips like
the cap varieties. It throws up a great many
branches of fruit from the old canes; and in our
trial grounds, beside a great many old and new
sorts, it yielded three to four times as much fruit
as any of them. In fact, the field where they were
grown was so red with fruit when viewed from a
distance as to suggest the name Redfield, even
had it originated in some other locality. But the
crowning features of all are the unequaled flavor,
which is superior to all others, and the fact that
the berry is of unusually large size and holds together
well instead of crumbling like the Shaffers.
This holding of its shape is a grand point for market
or canning, and will be appreciated by housewives.
The canes do not grow as long as Shaffers,
but are lower and heavy and better able to
stand hard storms. It is perfectly hardy having
never been injured in the slightest, even when the
temperature went to 32° below zero. Don't fail to try it this year.
Each 50c. postpaid, or 10 for $4.00 by express.

IOWA SEED CO.' S MARKET GARDENERS' BEET- This has proved
to be the best general purpose beet in cultivation, and we cannot tire in
sounding its praises. The illustration on the cover of this catalogue
well shows its shape and color, and a description of it will be found on
page 4. Don't fail to try it. Pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 65c. lb. $2.00.

NEW ASTRO CUCUMBER- This novelty has created great interest
among the market gardeners and private families for several years,
and made many friends. It is the largest variety that we have ever
seen, with common outdoor culture growing to a length of fifteen to
twenty inches, and very smooth. Its shape is well shown by our illustration.
Vine a vigorous grower and very productive, producing fruit
throughout the season. They are of far superior flavor to the common
sorts, a clear white flesh, crisp, tender, brittle, and free from that noxious
"green taste"; they are almost solid meat, being nearly seedless,
and the seeds will always be high in price. Its great value, however, is
to the market gardener for growing in hot-beds or greenhouse, as they
make a quick crop and sell readily for $1.00 per dozen on the market.
Pkt 10c. six pkts. for 50c.

IOWA MASTODON MELON- The most extraordinary new variety
which has been offered for many years and will create a sensation
wherever seen-and we control the entire stock, so that you cannot
purchase it elsewhere this year. It is from
Japan, and just a few seeds were sent to a friend
over in this country. This friend knew of our interest
in novelties and brought in specimens of
the melon. One weighed 23 1/2 pounds and the other
25 pounds. We at once secured the entire crop,
although but a few vines. The melons are of
monstrous size, and greatly resemble the common
Yankee field pumpkin; so nearly, in fact, as to
even deceive us at first sight. The flesh is a clear,
creamy white and fully three and one-half inches
thick and of excellent flavor. The flesh is tender
and sweet up to the rind, which is thin and tough.
Owing to the hail and drouth this year our crop
was nearly a failure, and we have such a small
quantity of seed that this year we can only offer
them in packets of fifteen seeds each at 25c. per
packet. We desire to have as many of our customers
try them as possible, but fear that the supply
will be exhausted before the season is over
and should this be the case we will return money
sent us for it.

PICTURE ROCK TOMATO-Many enthusiastic
growers pronounce this the handsomest of all tomatoes.
Fruit bright scarlet, of fair size and so
perfect and uniform that they look as though each
one was molded with the same stamp. On account
of this perfect shape and great beauty it is
unsurpassed for market. Commences to ripen its
fruit VERY EARLY, and continues bearing till frost.
Keeping qualities are, however, the most wonderful. Ripe fruit picked
from the vines have been kept in perfect condition for three to four
weeks during warm summer weather. It makes a handsome
appearance in the market, and we are sure market gardeners will appreciate
it. Its quality is extra fine, best flavor, solid, and few seeds. Pkt. 10c,
oz. 35c, 1/4 lb. $1.00.

NEW ZEALAND SPINACH- Another year adds greatly to our good
opinion of this variety, and if the people only knew what a grand vegetable
it was, no garden would be without it. From seed sown in the
spring, we began using the spinach in May and it was in good condition
every day of the summer and until the first of November. It withstands
the hot summer weather and drouth perfectly, and kept up a
vigorous growth when all other vegetation was wilting. Seed should be
sown about May first where plants are to stand, or may be started
early in a hot-bed and transplanted to two or three feet apart each way.
One plant will cover a space three or four feet square, but they will
stand frequent clipping and seem to grow the faster for it. The leaves
are eaten boiled, like the other kinds, but are of superior flavor; and
liked by some who cannot eat common spinach. We hope that all our
customers will give the New Zealand spinach a trial. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c,
1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00.