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16. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] I. S. CO'S IMPROVED GREEN NUTMEG.

MUSK MELONS.
One ounce will plant about [50 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 or twelve seeds in a 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 begins--in this latitude about the 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. You will be pleased with our melon seeds.
[logo] IOWA SEED CO'S IMPROVED GREEN NUTMEG.--Everybody is delighted with our improved strain of this most excellent old kind. For twelve years we have been constantly selecting and improving the old Green Nutmeg melon until now it is one of, if not the best variety of musk melon in existence. All lovers of fine, luscious melons will admit after giving it a trial that it cannot be surpassed in rich, delicious flavor. Fruits of fair size, very rich, melting, and of exquisite flavor. Outside dark emerald green; flesh light green; more productive than any variety we know of. Don't fail to try it. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.

[image] NEW EARLY HACKENSACK MUSK MELON

THE BANQUET--Our illustration made from a photograph well represents this extra fine new variety. It originated with C. P. Coy, the largest melon grower in the world, and he regards it as his greatest production. The flesh is dark, rich salman [salmon] color, uniformly thick and of that granulated character which always indicates a good melon. It is larger in size than the Emerald Gem and differs from that variety in its outer appearance; of perfectly round shape, the skin is not ribbed, but is densely netted over its entire surface, making it in appearance one of the handsomest melons we have ever seen, and the quality unsurpassed. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00.

[image] THE BANQUET.

The seeds we got of you were splendid. The Improved Guernsey parsnips were the best we ever used, and the Banquet melon was superb.
MRS. JOHN SIMMS, Muchakinock, Iowa.

EMERALD GEM.--This is one of the most delicious melons we have ever eaten. The melons are of medium size, and of a deep emerald green color. The flesh, which is thicker than any other melon of the same size, is of a suffused salmon color, almost red, and ripens thoroughly to the extremely thin green rind. It is peculiarly crystalline in appearance, and so juicy and rich that it almost drops to pieces (like a rich cake) when dipped out with a spoon. The flavor is sweet and luscious beyond description. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. [?5]c.

[image] EMERALD GEM.

IMPROVED EARLY HACKENSACK--This new candidate for public favor holds its size, rich flavor and other good qualities remarkably well, and withal is a great improvement on the Turk's Cap or Hackensack, in that it is fully ten days earlier. All should try it. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
OSAGE.--This variety has created quite a stir in Chicago, where it sells at double the prices of any other. The skin is thin, of dark green color, and slightly netted. The flesh is of a salmon color, remarkably sweet and spicy in flavor, extremely thick, and delicious to the rind. The seed cavity is very small. All lovers of fine melons should try the Osage. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.

I am well pleased with your customary promptness in filling orders, and grateful for the extra pkts. of seed sent us.
S. A. GILLEY, Marengo, Iowa.

YOU CAN PICK FROM THIS LIST
WITH YOUR EYES SHUT
AND GET A GOOD THING EVERY TIME.

[image] OSAGE

BANANA.--Attains a length of from eighteen inches to three feet three inches, and are from two to four inches thick. Flesh very thick, of a salmon color; flavor good. It looks almost like an overgrown banana, and moreover smells like one, hence the name. It is not only a curiosity, but it sells well on the market. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00. You should try it.

[image] BANANA MELON.