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38. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] RED TOP.

GRASS SEEDS.
We are the largest dealers in this line in central Iowa, and our trade has been built up by handling only the best grades of new recleaned seed. We have pleased thousands of others and can please you with our choice Iowa grown seeds.
PRICES. Grass seeds are sold on a very close margin of profit and prices are constantly changing with the market. Should you desire anything in this line, be sure to write us for special prices, naming the quantity needed. At the five-pound rate purchaser pays the freight charges.
RED TOP.--Grows almost everywhere, but in a moist, rich soil it reaches its highest state of perfection. This variety and timothy are the only grasses known and cultivated in many localities, but where the good qualities of the other natural grasses are known these two are considered inferior. For a pasture red top should be fed close, as cattle don't like it when it grows up to seed, and in a meadow it soon becomes hard and woody if not cut at the right time. It is the grass for swampy land and considerably used for lawns. Sow 14 lbs. per acre. Pound 25c, 3 lbs. 60c., postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 10c. per lb.

[image] SWEET VERNAL.

FANCY CLEANED RED TOP.--Pound 35c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 15c. per lb.
SWEET VERNAL.--Although this variety does not rank as high as some others for nutritive qualities, yet it is very valuable on account of its delicious perfume, when included in hay its aroma is imparted to the other grasses, enhancing the value of the hay and making it relished by the stock. The odor is more distinguishable when the grass is drying or dried. Valuable for lawns. Sow 20 lbs. per acre. Pound 60c, 3 lbs. $1.50, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 35c. per lb.

TIMOTHY.--No variety of our natural grasses is more cultivated than timothy, and for meadows it is very valuable. It is best suited to moist, rich, strong and loamy soils, where it grows to perfection, but does not succeed well on dry, sandy soil. It is very nutritious and makes good hay, but should be cut at the time of flowering. When sown with clover it makes but a small growth and must be cut young if the clover is secured in good season. It starts very slowly in spring, is a long time in coming into flower, and after cutting, the second growth is slow, feeble and of little consequence, seldom large enough to cut a second time. It is hardly suited for pasture at any time, and cattle must not be allowed to eat it close to the ground. Sow 11 lbs. per acre. Pound 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 8c. per lb.
MEADOW FESCUE OR ENGLISH BLUE GRASS.--Although it succeeds well in almost all soils, it does best on moist land. It is particularly valuable as a pasturage grass, being one of the earliest in the spring and the latest in the fall. It is very nutritious and greedily eaten by all kinds of stock, and very fattening. It is very hardy, never grows in tufts, and being tender and succulent, makes excellent hay. Is a perennial, two to three feet high, flowering in June and July. Sow 20 lbs. per acre. Pound 40c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid, 5 lbs. or more at 15c. per lb.

[image] TIMOTHY.

[image] KY. BLUE GRASS.

KENTUCKY BLUE GRASS.--Very valuable and exceedingly popular in some sections of the country as a pasture grass. It is very productive and unusually early in spring, furnishing delicious food throughout the season for all kinds of stock. It is not easily affected by drouth or frost, is suited to any variety of soils, succeeding best on a moist, rich meadow. For permanent pastures it is particularly valuable, being of dwarf growth, therefore, not so well suited for meadows. Unexcelled tor lawns. Our seed is all new crop, Kentucky grown and the best grade, "Fancy Cleaned." Beware of the Canada blue grass, which does not make as good pasture as the Kentucky, and the seed contains a considerable proportion of Canadian thistle, which would be a great damage to any farmer but can be purchased at about half price. Sow 14 lbs. per acre for pasture and 40 to 50 lbs. for lawns. Pound 35c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 15c per lb.
PERENNIAL RYE GRASS.--A nutritious permanent grass for meadows and pastures, or for mixing with other grasses for lawns. Does well on sloping banks, as its roots are fibrous and mat-like. Sow 25 lbs. per acre. Pound 35c, 3 lbs. 90c, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 20c. per lb.

ORCHARD GRASS.--Is one of the most valuable of all pasture grasses, coming earlier in spring and remaining later in autumn than any other. It grows about two and one-half feet high, producing an immense quantity of leaves and foliage. On account of its earliness and quick growth it is of value for permanent pastures. It furnishes the first green bite in the spring and the last in the fall, is quick to recover from close croppings, even thrives better the more it is cropped, and is heartily relished by all kinds of stock. It should not be sown alone, as it grows in tufts, but in a mixture with other grasses it should be included, so as to get a close and even sod. It stands severe drouth. Sow 14 lbs. per acre. Pound 35c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 20c. per lb.

[image] MEADOW FESCUE.

SHEEPS' FESCUE.--This variety prefers to grow on light, sandy soil and dry uplands or hillsides. It is deep rooted and is not affected by extreme drouth. Sheep are especially fond of it, being one of the sweetest grasses and very nutritious. On account of its fine foliage and compact growth it is very desirable for lawn purposes. Sow 25 lbs. per acre. Pound 35c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 20c. per lb.

[image] ORCHARD GRASS.

WOOD MEADOW GRASS.--This grass is invaluable for wood pastures or shaded ground, and should be included in all mixtures for permanent pastures, especially in shady places. It is relished by all kinds of stock, cattle showing a marked partiality for its fine, succulent and very nutritive herbage. It grows on almost any soil, succeeding best in moist shady places, being remarkable for its quick successive growth when closely cropped. For lawns over-shadowed by trees it is particularly valuable, and it produces a very thick growth and a nice even sod. It is a hardy perennial, 1 1/2 to 2 feet high, flowering in June. Sow 25 lbs. per acre. Pound 50c, 3 lbs. $1.25, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 35c. per lb.
CRESTED DOGSTAIL.--For permanent pastures on high land and dry, hard soils it is invaluable. Makes a close thick sod, and is valuable for lawns. Sow 15 lbs. per acre. Pound 75c, 3 lbs. $2.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 50c per lb.
RHODE ISLAND BENT.--Very valuable for permanent pasture and lawns. Does well on poor soil. Sow 25 lbs. per acre. Pound 40c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid, 5 lbs. or more at 25c. per lb.

[image] WOOD MEADOW.

CREEPING BENT GRASS.--Valuable as a pasture grass and best adapted for low, moist situations. Starts early and holds out late. Of quick successive growth when cropped close. Perennial. Sow 18 lbs. per acre. Pound 40c, 3 lbs. $1.00, postpaid. 5 lbs. or more at 25c per lb.