1895 2nd Edition

14

SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[Left column] POP-CORN. It pays to raise pop-corn as a general crop. It is a sure crop, and the demand usually exceeds the supply. Some farmers claim that it is as easily grown as field corn and they receive three to four times the amount per acre for the crop. For main crop the Monarch White Rice will bring the best price per pound, as it is better known among the poppers. Let the children try a small patch anyway and for home use don't fail to try the Striped Rice.

[Image] of PAGE'S NEW STRIPED RICE

[logo] PAGE'S NEW STRIPED RICE.--This splendid variety, which Is the result of a cross between the best White and Red varieties of Rice pop-corn, we have been at work improving for several years, until now we have undoubtedly the best, handsomest and most attractive variety of pop-corn in existence. "Beautiful!" "Splendid!" "It takes the cake!" is what our customers say of it. The color is a clear, translucent white, and each kernel is beautifully striped with bright crimson. Our illustration does not do it justice. The ears are of good size and well filled out; kernels are long and pointed, resembling rice. Early, very productlve, and extremely tender when popped, bursting out very large, white as snow and of finest quality. All should try it. Per pkt. 5c. 1/2 pt. 20c, qt. 60c. MONARCH WHITE RICE.--The best white variety grown. It bears from three to six ears per stalk, weighs 36 pounds per bushel of ears when dry, and produces 1,500 to 2,500 pounds per acre. It will pay you to try it. Per pkt. 5c, 1/2 pt. 15c, qt. 50c. MAPLEDALE PROLIFIC POP-CORN.--The most productIve popcorn, averaging 8 to 12 good ears to the stalk, as many as 19 ears having been taken from a single stalk. Ears uniformly large. Pops to a large size and very tender. Per pkt 5c. 1/2 pt. 15c, qt. 50c. QUEEN' S GOLDEN.--Color a peculiar lustrous, golden yellow; when popped, of a rich cream color; very prolific. Per pkt 5c, 1/2 pt. 15c, qt 50c.

[Image] Holt's Mammoth Sage leaf of average size

HOLT'S MAMMOTH SAGE. After having grown and thoroughly tested this valuable variety for many years, we can recommend it most highly. The illustration shows a leaf of average size. The plants are very strong growing, the first season attaining one foot in height, and so spreading that a slngle plant covers a circular space 3 feet in diameter. The leaves are borne well above the soil, keeping them clean; very large and of unusual substance, strong in flavor, and of superior quality. A single plant of Holt's Mammoth will yield more than a dozen of the common sort. It is perfectly hartly, even in New England, and attains still larger growth the second season. It never runs to seed. The past three years we have not been able to supply the demand but this year we grew a very large number and hope to have sufficient. Price: 3 plants tor 25c, 7 for 50c, or 15 plants for $1.00, postpaid.

ORNAMENTAL POMEGRANATE.

[image] POMEGRANATE.

A very interesting and ornamental little fruit, which a century ago was commonly grown in the gardens but is now rarely seen. Grows on a pretty vine; fruit Is round, of a bright yellow, irregularly striped with orange, red or mahogany; very fragrant; a single specimen will sweetly perfume a room for many days. Prolific and easily grown. It is often called Queen Anne's Pocket Melon. Per pkt. 5c.

READ THIS! Please quote price on five or six lbs. of Yellow Globe Danvers onion. I puchased some from you and the same quantity from quite a number of other seed houses last season and I did not get as many good onions out of all the others combined as I did from yours. F. L. WOTTON, Darien, N. Y.

[Right column] [image] [logo] RED CROSS PEANUTS. Peanuts can be grown in Iowa, and everyone should plant a few for themselves and children. This very desirable variety is as early as the earliest, the most hardy, very prolific and of the best quality. Boys, here is a chance for you. Think of growing peanuts in your own garden and having plenty of them to eat. Plant as soon as the ground becomes warm, from two to three feet apart each way four or five to the hill, covering two to three inches. The soil should be deep and mellow, and well broken up so as to be ready for planting soon after frost is over. April is a suitable time. They produce 25 to 70 bushels per acre, and are as easily cultivated as corn. Price, per large package, 10c, lb. 50c, postpaid.

HERBS. In making up your assortment of seeds for the year don't neglect to order a few varieties of herbs. They should have a place in every vegetable garden. Sow seed in shallow drills one foot apart, and when up thin out and transplant to a few inches apart. The chief point is to harvest them properly, which should be done on a dry day when not quite in full bloom, then dried quickly and packed closely, and entirely excluded from the air. The following are the varieties most cultivated. ANISE.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c. BALM.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. BASIL, SWEET.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c. BORAGE.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c. CARAWAY.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c. [Image] herbs in bottles and tins on a shelf. CATNIP.--Perennial. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 50c. CASTOR OIL [PLANT].--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c. CORIANDER.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c. DANDELION.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c. DILL.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c. FENNEL.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c. HOREHOUND.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c. HYSSOP.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. LAVENDER.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c. MARJORAM, SWEET.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, OPIUM POPPY.--Annnal. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. ROSEMARY.--Perennial. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 45c. RUE.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. SAFFRON.--Annnal. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c. SAGE.--This hardy perennial is used more than any other for flavoring and dressing. Should be in every garden. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/2 lb. 70c, lb. $2.25. SAVORY, SUMMER.--Annual. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c. THYME, BROAD-LEAVED.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 40c. TANSY.--Perennial. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 50c. WORMWOOD.--Perennial. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. MIXED VARIETIES.--A mixture of all the above. Nice garden assortment. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.

SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE. 15.

[image] "DENVER MARKET" LETTUCE

LETTUCE--Ger. Lattich. One ounce will sow 120 feet of drill. Probably no vegetable is more universally used than Lettuce, and to be fully appreciated it must be brought to the table fresh and unwilted. As it requires but little room, and is of the easiest culture, there are but few families that cannot have it direct from the bed. The quality of Lettuce depends largely upon a rapid and vigorous growth. Sow in hot-beds in March and in open ground as early as it can be worked, thinly in drills one foot apart. For a succession sow every three weeks during the season. The soil should be rich and mellow. Thin out plants as they grow, so that the plants left to head will stand 10 to 12 inches apart in the rows.

[image] TOMHANNOCK.

DENVER MARKET.--An early variety of Head Lettuce, either for forcing or open ground. It forms large solid heads, of a good, light green color, and is very slow to go to seed. The leaves are beautifully marked and blistered (like the Savoy Cabbages), and very crisp and tender and of excellent flavor. By these blistered leaves it distinguishes itself from any other kind of Lettuce now grown. The shape of the head resembles somewhat the "Hanson," but is more oblong. C. C. Morse & Co., Seed Growers, say: "It is the best novelty ever sent to us, and tried in our trial grounds, together with 96 other varieties of Lettuce, we find it to be the best." Per pkt. 5c., oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 60c. GRAND RAPIDS.--As many as fifty large greenhouses at Grand Rapids, Michigan, are devoted to forcing this lettuce in winter; the growers have distanced all competitors, and obtained the highest prices in the markets of all the cities to which they have shipped. Of superior quality and beautiful appearance the Grand Rapids Lettuce is a strong grower, free from rot, and keeps crisp and tender without wilting when exposed for sale, longer than any other forcing lettuce. It is also a desirable variety for early spring sowing in the open ground. The engraving is from a photograph. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 20c., 1/4 lb. 65c. CALIFORNIA CREAM BUTTER.--A new variety of Cabbage Lettuce, with round solid heads, as shown in the illustration; outside the heads are of a medium green, slightly marked with small brown spots; within, the leaves are of a very rich cream yellow color, most refreshing in appearance, and particularly rich and buttery to the taste. The heads are of good size, compact, very hard and solid. It is medium early, and one of the very best summer varieties of head lettuce we have ever seen. The heads are so solid that generally, they have to be cut before any seed stalk can make its appearance. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 50c. EARLY CURLED SIMPSON.--An improved variety of the Curled Silesia, with large, loose heads and excellent flavor. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 10c., 1/4 lb. 30c., lb. $1.00. BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON.--Nearly double the size of the ordinary Curled Simpson; stands the summer well without becoming tough, or running to seed quickly. Is by far the most popular variety for greenhouse forcing, making large, handsome heads in a very short time. Gardeners claim that our seed is worth far more than any other. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 35c., lb. $1.20.

[image] Improved Hanson Lettuce

[image] California Cream Butter Lettuce.

IMPROVED HANSON.--For general use, both of market gardeners and in the private garden, we are sure that no variety can surpass our improved carefully selected strains of Hanson Lettuce. It has been so judiciously improved that the heads are so solid that often they do not send up a seed stalk unless cut open with a knife. Heads are very large, green outside and nearly white within, deliciously sweet, crisp and tender, and almost absolutely free from any rank or bitter taste. Resists the summer heat exceptionally well. It cannot be praised too highly. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 40c., lb. $1.20. TOMHANNOCK.--Forms a beautiful plant, 10 to to 12 inches high by 9 to 10 inches across. The leaves grow upright, the upper part of the outer leaves turn outward gracefully, and are of a glossy, reddish bronze, quite ornamental. The leaves are almost white, very tender and crisp; it does not head. Grows quickly and remains for weeks of the finest quality; slow to run to seed. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 45c., lb. $1.60. SALAMANDER.--Withstands the heat and drouth admirably, and is very slow in running to seed. Forms immense heads 12 to 14 inches in diameter. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c. GREEN FRINGED.--Edges beautifully cut and fringed. A good selling variety. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 40c. PRIZE HEAD.--Very tender leaves of dark reddish brown color, variegated with dark green. Heads large and of good flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c., 1/4 lb. 35c. 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 pkt. 5c., oz. 25c., 1/4 lb. 50c., lb. $1.50. OAK LEAVED.--Has oak-shaped leaves, the broader part set to stem and pointed at the tip, thus giving it a very unique, handsome and attractive appearance. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., 1/4 lb. 45c. OLD LETTUCE SEED.--For birds. Per lb. 30c.

[image] EARLY PRIZE HEAD.

$1.00 BUYS SEEDS IN Packets OR Ounces TO THE AMOUNT OF $1.25.

[image] NEW GRAND RAPIDS.

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.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 17.

[image] THE MOST DELICIOUS OF ALL MELONS THE PRINCESS

THE PRINCESS.--This splendid variety is nearly round, with heavily netted, dark green skin; the flesh is of a rich salmon color, and in flavor is sweet and luscious beyond description. They ripen early and grow to good size, frequently weighing eight to ten pounds each. This is a grand new variety which it will pay you to try. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 80c. IOWA MASTODON.--The most extraordinary new variety ever offered and will create a sensation wherever seen. See description on 2nd page of cover and try it this year. Per pkt. of 15 seeds, 25c.

NEW WINTER PINEAPPLE.--This melon in appearance is entirely distinct from any other variety ever grown in this country. The outside skin, instead of being netted, is deeply corrugated. They have the thickest flesh of any melon, with but a small seed cavity. Indeed they might be said to be almost solid. When ripe the outside skin is of rich yellow, intermingled with light green. The flesh is of a light green color, unusually spicy, melting and delicious. But the most remarkable and valuable feature of this new melon is its wonderful keeping qualities. They do not ripen on the vines like other muskmelons, but have to be picked before hard frost and laid away in a cool, dry cellar, where they will keep sound and sweet for months. When wanted for use they must be brought into a warm room, where they will ripen up in a few days. They are hardy and very prolific. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25.

[image] Winter Pineapple.

SHUMWAY'S GIANT.--Of monstrous size, cream yellow, early, absolutely distinct, and with seeds more than twice as large as other sorts. A whole field of them will average 15 to 20 pounds each, and select specimens weigh more. Sweet and luscious with fine, melting, thick, salmon-colored flesh. Never stringy. The flavor is pleasant, not high, nor rank. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 35c, lb. $1.00. MONTREAL MARKET.--Uniformly of large size, averaging from 15 to 20 pounds in weight. Flesh very thick and of fine flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 65c. PERFECTION.--Rich color and luscious flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.

[image] BAY VIEW.

BAY VIEW.--This variety is one of the largest, most prolific, best flavored and finest melons in cultivation. In flavor it is luscious, sweet and deliciously rich. It has been grown to weigh from fifteen to twenty pounds and from fifteen to eighteen inches long. It is hardy, vigorous, and continues a long time in bearing. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c. CHAMPION MARKET.--A superb variety destined to become very popular. Almost a perfect globe in shape, and densely netted, making it one of the handsomest cantaloupes known. Flesh is thick, light green color, and rich, sweet flavor. Very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 85c. IMPROVED CANTALOUPE.--Large size, flesh light yellow, delicious flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.

[image] CHAMPION MARKET.

OUR NEW STORE. As a rule we do not care to talk about ourselves or our business, as the value of our Choice Iowa Seeds is an almost exhaustless theme, but at this time as doubtless a hundred thousand readers of this catalogue will be interested in our new store, we deem it only justice to them to devote a small space to it. For the past four years we have been greatly crowded for room, and our trade has grown so rapidly that our store on Walnut street became inconvenient, and each year we have been compelled to have storage in other localities. Last spring we had three warehouses besides our main building. During the past summer there has been erected an elegant, stone front building, size 44x133, arranged with all the conveniences for our business, and it is said to be the most perfectly arranged seed store in the west for a mail order trade. It is down in the business part of the city near the postoffice, express offices, telegraph offices, banks, etc. The main store room is 44x68 feet, and here is kept a complete stock of nearly 2,000 kinds of seeds, besides a great variety of hand garden tools, gardeners' and florists' supplies, etc. At the rear of this room are the general offices, where the orders are booked and much of the correspondence is done amid the busy clicking of typewriters. Here also is the desk of the president of the Iowa Seed Co., and of the bookkeeper and cashier. Immediately back of this is the private office of the manager, who has general oversight of the business. Here all purchases are made, and all catalogues and price lists prepared. This room is connected by speaking tubes with all parts of the building and by a convenient telephone with all business firms of this city, and with most of the important towns within a radius of one hundred miles. The mail, which is almost constantly arriving on about thirty trains per day, is opened here by old and trusted clerks, and all important letters are answered before leaving the room. The orders are then assorted and after booking go to various departments for filling. In the large back room are the offices of the receiving and shipping clerks and a place for filling field seed orders. Upstairs is the mail order department, which is in charge of the vice-president of this company, who has spent a lifetime in growing and handling seeds. Here also are the store rooms, work room, cleaning room, and the largest and most complete printing office that we know of in the United States that is connected with a seed store with possibly two exceptions. In the basement is a most excellent storage room for seed potatoes, and for filling potato orders; also for storing berry boxes, flower pots, bulbs, dormant roots, onion sets, etc. The entire building is rat-proof and lighted with electricity. About five blocks away is "Warehouse A," which is also shown on the first page of this catalogue. It is a large building, size 66x132 feet, four stores and basement, built very strong so as to hold the immense quantities of seeds and other goods with which it is filled. It is located beside the railroad, so that cars can be loaded and unloaded at the door. Here we store large amounts of seeds, and they are hauled up to our Locust street store as needed. No orders are filled from this building except carload lots. Both buildings are supplied with electric elevators.

18. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] ICE KING "IT BEATS THEM ALL FOR FLAVOR AND YIELD

WATERMELON. One ounce is required for sixty hills. Plant in hills eight feet apart and cultivate same as Musk melon. Thousands of melon growers annually depend on us for their seeds and are universally pleased and claimed that nowhere have they ever obtained seeds so pure and reliable. It pays to have the best. Growers using a large quantity (not less than five dollars' worth) are entitled to market gardeners' prices and should send for special list. ICE KING.--The most productive, best shipper, finest quality, and unequaled by any watermelon in cultivation. We know this is considerable to say about a new variety, but it has been thoroughly tested, both in the north and south, and it has proven to be all that we claim for it. It ripens about ten days earlier than Kolb's Gem, and is bound to take the place of that famous variety with those who grow melons for shipping purposes. In productiveness it surpasses any melon we have ever known. Many of the vines matured from six to eight large melons each. The flesh is of a scarlet color and fine flavor. Rind is thin and very tough. Owing to its great productiveness, it is the best melon that can be raised either for market or private use. J. D. Corry, of Kansas, who is one of the most extensive melon growers in this country, writes us that the Ice King is the finest appearing melon he had out of twenty varieties the past season, and that no melon can beat it in flavor. In fact too much cannot be claimed for it. Don't fail to try this grand melon. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25. DIXIE.--This new melon has proven itself to be a decided acquisition. It originated on the farm of a truck grower in North Carolina, and is a cross between the Kolb Gem and Mountain Sweet, surpassing the former in shipping qualities and fully equaling the latter in fine eating quality and flavor. It is from eight to ten days earlier than either; has a remarkably thin, tough rind; will keep and ship well. Each vine matures seven to eight large melons. The vines are strong and rapid growers and have more laterals than other varieties. A peculiarity is that it roots at almost every joint. This valuable characteristic enables it to withstand the drouth and greatly increases its duration and yield. The flesh is bright scarlet, of fine quality almost down to the skin. The melons are of a dark green color and most beautifully striped, of oblong shape. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 80c. PHINNEY'S EARLY.--The melons are of medium size, oblong in shape and very uniform, the skin being mottled, as shown in illustration; flesh red and sweet. It is hardy and vigorous in growth; very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c. FORDHOOK EARLY.--Has proved to be the largest early variety on the list and we verily believe it to be the earliest of all. From seeds planted May 10th ripe melons were produced the last of July. The accompanying illustration, made from a photograph, well shows its shape. The rind is tough, making it valuable for shipping. Color a uniform medium green; seeds white; flesh bright red and very sweet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25.

[image] DIXIE WATERMELON.

[image] FORDHOOK EARLY

The seeds I bought of you last year were excellent. The Dixie watermelons were just what you claim them to be. JAMES BENTLEY, Boone, Iowa.

If You Like WATERMELONS THE ICE KING WILL Please You.

[image] PHINNEY'S EARLY.