1895 2nd Edition

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 29.

[image] CARDINAL AND GOLDEN QUEEN SLICED TOGETHER.

DWARF CHAMPION. Its habit of growth is peculiar, for not only is it dwarf and compact, but the stem being thick, stiff and short jointed, it is actually self-supporting when laden with fruit. In productiveness it is unsurpassed. It is also very early. The fruit is of a purplish pink color, always smooth and symmetrical, and the flesh solid and of fine quality. Can almost be called a tree tomato. The best variety to grow for plants for sale as they are so stocky. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 75c. ATLANTIC PRIZE.--Very popular with some market gardeners on account of its extreme earliness. Some of our Des Moines market gardeners say that this is the only variety they have ever grown which produced a good crop from the first set of blooms on plants, thereby netting them high prices. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 75c. ACME.--Early, medium size, smooth, solid and productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c. TROPHY.--One of the largest and best, fine quality, medium early, heavy and solid, great favorite. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 65c.

YELLOW PLUM.--Good for preserving and pickling; plum shape, solid and smooth. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00. FAVORITE.--Large, smooth, and very prolific. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c. RED CHERRY.--Perfectly round and smooth, about the size of a cherry, handsome and fine for pickles or preserves. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00. RED CURRANT.--Quite ornamental, resembling long bunches of currants. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00. PERFECTION.--Somewhat larger than the Acme, ripens all over and through at the same time, is free from rot at the blossom end. We consider this one of the best tomatoes of its class. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c. CARDINAL.--A large grand tomato. The fruit is smooth, of a deep cardinal color, with flesh of the same rich hue, without a green core, very thick and solid, ripens evenly, has no green spots or ends, is a good keeper, and hence is a good shipper, matures at the same time as the Trophy, a vigorous grower and very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 70c. GOLDEN QUEEN.--We have tested many yellow tomatoes, of which the Golden Queen has proved decidedly the best. The tomatoes are of large size, handsome, round shape, very smooth, free from ridges, and ripen up evenly, mature early and are very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 85c. STRAWBERRY.--See Ground Cherry, page 12. Pkt. 5c. PURPLE HUSK.--See description on page 12. Pkt. 10c. MIXED TOMATOES.--For the advantage of some of our customers who would like to try all kinds, we have prepared this mixture of all kinds named above and several others. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c. SLICED TOMATOES.--Alternate slices of red and yellow tomatoes make one of the most ornamental dishes that can be put on a table. The Cardinal and Golden Queen are especially nice for this purpose. Try them this year.

[image] DWARF CHAMPION.

[image] SEED TESTING AND TRIALS.

TESTING SEEDS. We make it a rule to carefully test all seeds as soon as received from the grower, or a soon as they are brought in from our seed farms. Frequent tests are also made during the spring season of any varieties which are liable to decrease in vitality, so as to be certain that everything is first class before it is sent out. We also carry on extensive trials on our grounds by which we are enabled to offer only those strains of seeds which come up to the standard of purity and excellence, and are of the highest vitality. These tests are very satisfactory to us and to our customers. Our method of testing attracts considerable attention in our store, as all the seeds in the tester are in sight and our customers can see any which fail to germinate as well as those which are of strong vitality. We know of no seed firm in America which is so careful and critical with their seed testing, and the result is that we very rarely have complaints as our CHOICE IOWA SEEDS are sure to please.

BEANS, CORN AND PEAS IN BULK. These low prices are for purchasers of large lots, they to pay freight or express charges. One-half bushel will be sold at bushel rates and one-half peck at peck rates. Crops are very short, and beans, peas and corn are liable to advance in price later in the season. Better write for prices if you desire a large lot. [table] [column headings: PK. BU.] BEANS. DWARF VARIETIES. Henderson's Bush Lima. $2.25. $8.00. Burpee's Bush Lima. 4.00. 15.00. Dreer's Bush Lima. 3.75. 14.00. Jackson Wonder Lima. 3.50. 12.00. Early Mohawk. 1.25. 4.50. Refugee, or Thousand to One. 1.50. 5.00. Dwarf Horticultural. 2.00. 7.00. Improved Early Valentine. 1.40. 5.00. Large White Marrow. 1.40. 5.00. Wardwell's Kidney Wax. 1.75. 6.50. Improved Golden Wax. 1.75. 6.50. Black Wax. 1.75. 6.50. White Wax. 1.75. 6.50. Yosemite Mammoth Wax. 3.00. 10.00. Currie's Rust Proof Wax. 2.00. 7.50. California Branch or Prolific Tree. 1.25. 4.25. POLE VARIETIES. Large Lima. 2.25. 8.00. White Dutch Case Knife. 2.00. 7.00. King of the Garden Lima. 2.25. 8.00. Cut Shorts. 2.25. 8.25. Lazy Wife's. 2.25. 8.25. SWEET CORN. Extra Early Cory. 1.00. 3.25. Early Minnesota. .90. 3.00. Crosby's Early. .90. 3.00. Perry's Hybrid. 1.00. 3.25. Champion Early. 1.25. 4.00. Shoe Peg. 1.25. 3.75. Egyptian. .90. 3.00. Stowell's Improved Evergreen. .90. 2.75. Improved Ruby. 1.50. 4.50. Mammoth Sweet. 1.00. 3.25. Black Mexican. 1.25. 4.00. Country Gentleman. 1.25. 4.25. Acme Evergreen. 1.00. 3.50. Fodder Corn (sweet). .75. 2.00. POP CORN. (56 lb. bu.) Page's New Striped Rice. 1.50. 5.00. Monarch White Rice. 1.35. 4.50. Queen's Golden. 1.35. 4.50. Mapledale Prolific. 1.35. 4.50. FIELD CORN. See pages 32, 33 and 34. PEAS. Reed's Early Prize. 1.75. 6.00. Iowa's Extra Early Challenge. 1.40. 5.00. Cleveland's Alaska. 1.50. 4.75. First and Best. 1.25. 4.00. Rural New Yorker. 1.25. 4.00. Bliss American Wonder (scarce). 2.00. 7.50. Laxton's Alpha. 1.50. 5.25. Premium Gem. 1.50. 5.25. Stanley. 2.25. 8.00. Nott's Excelsior. 2.25. 8.00. Telephone. 1.75. 6.00. Bliss' Abundance. 1.25. 4.50. Bliss' Everbearing. 1.50. 5.00. Improved Advancer. 1.35. 4.50. Yorkshire Hero. 1.50. 5.00. Dwarf White Marrow. .90. 3.00. Champion of England. 1.25. 4.00. Stratagem. 2.00. 7.00. Large White Marrow. .85. 3.00. Black Eyed Marrow. .85. 3.00. Dwarf Sugar (edible pods). 2.25. 8.00. Field Peas--See Field Seeds.

30. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

TURNIPS. One ounce will sow 150 feet of drill; two pounds will sow one acre. For early, sow in April, in drills half an inch deep and twelve inches apart. Thin to six inches apart in the drill. For main crop sow broadcast during July and August and just before or during a showery time if possible. Often by sowing an early variety as late as September 1st, a good crop can be obtained. The Purple Top Milan is excellent for this purpose. The soil should be rich and mellow, and kept free from weeds. NIMBLE DICK.--The earliest and most delicious table turnip of all for early use. It is extra early and produces handsome, fair sized turnips in a very few weeks from time seed is planted. The shape and smallness of top is well shown by our engraving. The color is a clear, translucent white, flesh crisp and almost as brittle as a radish, and of excellent flavor. Sure to become popular with market gardeners for early bunching. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00. EXTRA EARLY PURPLE TOP MILAN, Strap-leaved.--This splendid new turnip is one of the earliest sorts in cultivation. The bulb is very flat, of medium size, quite smooth, with a bright purple top; leaves few, short, and of light color, growing very compact and making an exceedingly small top. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c. PURPLE TOP STRAP-LEAVED.--The standard for this part of the country. Superior for early or late planting. Round, flat, good sized, small top with but few leaves, flesh very fine grained, flavor good. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c, five lbs. or more, not prepaid, 35c. per lb.

[image] NIMBLE DICK.

[image] EXTRA EARLY MILAN.

PURPLE TOP GLOBE.--Similar to above, except shape. This is the largest yielder of any turnip on the list, and very desirable for table use or stock. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 55c, five lbs. or more, not prepaid, 40c. per lb. LARGE WHITE GLOBE.--Fine for field culture, very productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. [?0]c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50. EARLY WHITE FLAT DUTCH.--Of quick growth, juicy, mild flavor, and excellent quality. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c. BREADSTONE.--While of the Ruta Baga type, they are of such extra fine quality that they deserve to be classed with the best table turnips. They are of medium size, very quick growing, and the roots are smooth and white. The flesh is perfectly white, fine grained, and cooks in only fifteen minutes, remarkably tender and very sweet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00. ORANGE JELLY, or Golden Ball.--A very beautiful and bright yellow turnip of medium size and of universally sweet and delicious flavor. It is hardy and one of the best keepers. Always brings a good price in the market. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c. YELLOW ABERDEEN.--Excellent for cattle feeding. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c. EARLY WHITE EGG.--Very early and particularly desirable for the table; flesh firm and fine grained, sweet and sugary, and of snowy whiteness, egg shaped. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4. lb. 25c, lb. 75c. MIXED TURNIPS.--All the table varieties of turnips mixed in equal proportion. A desirable mixture for family use. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.

I don't think I could raise as good garden with any other seed as I did with your seed. Have never had a failure in anything. Every seed grows, and I think some of them twice. MRS. E. C. ROWELL, Ruthven, Iowa.

I have used your seed for eight years, and they gave perfect satisfaction each season. MRS. ARTHUR WAGNER, Walkerville, Iowa.

You give better measure and better seed than any firm I ever bought of. A. J. THOES, Alma, Kansas.

[image] ORANGE JELLY OR GOLDEN BALL.

[image] AMERICAN IMPROVED RUTA BAGA MONARCH SWEDE RUTA BAGAS OR SWEDES

RUTA BAGAS. Ruta Bagas or Swedes should be sown not later than June, in drills two feet apart, and thin out to eight inches in the row. MONARCH.--This grand, new and distinct form of the ruta baga is, we believe, by far the best of all. The bulbs are of tankard shape, with very small neck, skin dark red above ground and yellow below, flesh rich yellow, fine grained and best quality. For earliness, quality and weight it is superior to any variety in cultivation, producing from two to seven tons per acre more than any other swede, whilst the large percentage of saccharine matter contained in the root makes it very palatable and nutritious to stock fed on it. Monarch swede is of handsome shape and distinct appearance. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. 85c. IMPROVED AMERICAN.--Very popular, and has for years been considered the leading yellow fleshed variety, very solid, fine quality, valuable for the table and feeding stock. Very hardy and productive, excellent shape, with small neck and smooth skin, keeps well. Our strain is choice. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 60c. WHITE SWEET GERMAN.--Large size, oval form and very solid, flesh pure white and sweet. This is the best keeping variety. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 65c. CARTER'S IMPROVED HARDY SWEDE.--Large size, excellent quality, and an immense yielder. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 31.

VEGETABLE PLANTS AND ROOTS. Prices for large quantities of any of these plants or roots will be given on application.

VEGETABLE PLANTS. Well grown and lightly packed to carry long distances. The fact that these plants are all grown under our direction from the choicest stocks of seeds from our store is sufficient recommendation as to the genuineness of the varieties. They can be shipped fresh, well packed at the beds, on a day's notice. Plants quoted "by mail" are sent at our expense; "by express," at the purchaser's. By our system of packing they are sure to arrive in good condition when shipped to any part of the United States. No charge for either packing or boxes. Plants from hotbed or cold frame are ready during April and May. Outdoor grown, during June and until the middle of July. 500 at the 1,000 rate. CABBAGE PLANTS.--Early Varieties.--Ready April 10th. Extra Early Express, Jersey Wakefield, All Seasons, Burpee's Allhead and Henderson's Early Summer. By mail, 100, 75c; by express, 100, 50c; 1,000, $3.50. CABBAGE PLANTS.--Late Varieties.--Ready June 1st. Surehead, Chase's Excelsior, Premium Flat Dutch, and Short Stem Drumhead. By mail, 100, 75c; by express, 100, 40c; 1,000, $2.00. CAULIFLOWER PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. Snowball and Erfurt. By mail, doz. 20c; 100, $1.25; by express, 100, $1.00; 1,000, $7.00. CELERY PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. Henderson's Half Dwarf, White Plume, Golden Self-Blanching, and Pink Aromatic. By mail, doz. 20c; 100, $1.00; by express, 100, 60c; 1,000, $4.00. After June 20th, $3.00 per 1,000. EGG PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. New York Improved. By mail, doz. 25c; by express, 100, $1.00. PEPPER PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. Ruby King, Large Bell, and Red Cayenne. By mail, doz. 25c; 100, $1.00; by express, 100, 75c. TOMATO PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. Strong transplanted plants. Dwarf Champion, Acme, Beauty and Matchless. By mail, per doz. 25c; 100, $1.00; by express, per 100, 75c; 1,000, $5.00. SWEET POTATO PLANTS.--Ready May 1st. We make a specialty of supplying first class sweet potato plants, and we take great pains to send out only such as are strong, vigorous, well rooted and hardy. We can furnish either the Yellow Nansemond or Early Yellow Jersey. Prices vary with the season, but we will at all times make as low a price as we can. Write if you want a large lot. Price, by mail, 100, 60c; by express, per 100, 25c; 1,000, $2.00.

RHUBARB ROOTS. These may be planted early in the spring or in fall, setting the roots three feet apart each way. It requires but little labor to plant, and when once planted in good rich soil it will remain in bearing condition many years. By express, each, 10c; doz. 75c; 100, $4.50. By mail, 15c each.

ASPARAGUS ROOTS. For directions for planting, etc., see asparagus seeds. CONOVER'S COLOSSAL.--One-year old roots. 100, 60c; 1,000 $4.50. Two-year old roots, 100, 75c; 1,000, $6.00. PALMETTO.--Two-year old, per 100, $1.00; per 1,000, $8.00. Above prices by express. If to be mailed, add 20c per 100 for one-year old, and 40c per 100 for two-year olds.

HORSE RADISH SETS. Plant at any time during spring, in rows two feet apart and about eighteen inches apart in the rows. By mail, per doz. 35c. By express, per 100, 75c; per 1,000, $6.00.

[image]

GARLIC. A species of onion propagated by offsets; used for flavoring soups, stews and other dishes. Divide a bulb in small parts, and plant them in early spring, in rows one foot apart, and from two to five inches between the plants in the rows. The crop matures in August when it is harvested like the onion. GARLIC SETS.--Per lb. 40c, postpaid. By express, per lb. 30c.

JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE. The greatest hog food known. This variety is not produced from seed. They are sometimes used as a table vegetable when pickled or as a salad, but their greatest value is for feeding stock. They are the best hog food known and are attracting much attention on account of their great fattening properties, great productiveness (over one thousand bushels having been grown on one acre), and ease with which they can be grown. They need not be dug in the fall; the hogs should be turned in on them, and will help themselves by rooting for them. One acre will keep from twenty to thirty head in fine condition from October until April, except when the ground is frozen too hard for them to root. They are also said to be a preventative of cholera and other hog diseases; and they are also highly recommended for milch cows, increasing the yield of milk and at the same time improving their condition. They are well adapted to any soil where corn or potatoes can be grown. Three bushels will seed an acre, and they should be [cut?] the same as potatoes, one eye to a cut being sufficient, planted in April or May, in rows three feet apart and two feet in the rows, and covered about two inches deep. To destroy them they should be plowed under when the plant is about a foot high, at which time the old tuber has decayed and new ones are not yet formed. Per lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight or express, pk. 65c, bu. $2.00, bbl. of 3 bu. (enough for one acre) $4.50.

[image]

HOLT'S MAMMOTH SAGE. No garden should be without a few plants of this most valuable herb. It is a perennial and keeps growing larger each year. The first season a single plant will frequently cover a space three feet in diameter and produce a large amount of leaves, which are several times larger than the common sage and of superior quality. This variety cannot be grown from seed. Price, 3 plants for 25c, 7 for 50c, 15 for $1.00, postpaid.

Your sweet potato plants gave good satisfaction last year. J. H. SCHULER, Dumont, Iowa. The sweet potato plants I bought of you last year were fine. MRS. C. BLANKENBURG, Estherville, Iowa.

ONION SETS. Indispensible for early onions for bunching, as in a very few weeks they are ready for the table. Our sets are well grown and of the very best size and shape, and sure to please for either the family or market garden. Price by the pint and quart include prepayment of postage (deduct 15 cents per quart if by express.) Price by the peck and bushel is subject to market variations, and they are shipped at buyer's expense. We will at all times give customers the benefit of lowest prices on day order is received. If you want a large lot write for sample and lowest prices.

[image] BOTTOM ONION SETS TOP ONION SETS EGYPTIAN OR PERENNIAL ONION SETS POTATO ONION SETS

WHITE BOTTOM SETS.--The bottom onion sets grown from seed are the most popular of all and the finest for early use and large onions. The white are usually higher in price than the red or yellow as they do not keep over winter so well. Per pt. 25c, qt. 50c, pk. $1.50, bu. $5.00. YELLOW BOTTOM SETS.--Like above except the color. Per pt. 25c, qt. 40c, pk. $1.25, bu. $4.25. RED BOTTOM SETS.--Per pt. 25c, qt. 40c, pk. $1.25, bu. $4.25.

PERENNIAL OR WINTER.--Also called Egyptian and Tree onions. May be set out in spring, but are usually set in the fall. Highly valued by gardeners, as they produce the earliest spring onions, and after once set out require no other care, but come up year after year without the slightest winter protection. Per pt. 20c, qt. 35c, pk. $1.00, bu. $3.25.

RED TOP OR BUTTON SETS.--These are the old-fashioned sets still largely called for where the bottom sets are not known. Per pt. 25c, qt. 40c, pk. $1.65, bu. $6.00. POTATO ONION SETS.--Valuable for early crop, as they mature quickly; mild and of sweet flavor. Per pt. 25c, qt. 40c, pk. $1.25, bu. $5.50.

32. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

SELECTED FARM SEEDS.

[image]

CHOICE RECLEANED GRASS SEED, ETC. As the farm crop is more important to the general wellfare [welfare] of the country than any other, so the farm seed department should have the prominence in seed catalogues, but we regret to say that with most seedsmen it has very little attention. For about ten years past we have been talking to farmers in our catalogue, and by the means of articles written for the agricultural newspapers, until it has finally had its effect and western farmers are beginning to understand the advantages to be derived from changing their seed and starting anew with some of the best varieties of recent introduction. During the past year our trade in this department has been more than double what it ever was before. The yield of corn and all kinds of grain will be greatly increased, and the crop be more certain as the farmers become more particular about their seed. Realizing the vast importance of this branch of our business, we devote our careful attention to the growth and selection of the best farm seeds of all sorts. We are located in the heart of the great farming country, and our seed grain is grown especially for seed, in the section best suited to its development and perfect maturity. It is all carefully selected, thoroughly cleaned, of the best quality, and we sell at reasonable prices. We take pride in our large and increasing trade in this branch of our business. With our improved machinery for cleaning, which is as perfect as any in the United States, we are enabled to clean seeds perfectly, far different from such as are commonly sold. The Nebraska Experiment Station tested clover seed from the leading seed firms of the country, and our seed stood the highest for purity of any west of Pennsylvania, and, with one exception, the highest of any in the United States. Prices on clover, buckwheat and grass seeds are constantly varying with the season, therefore, please write for prices if you need any. We will at all times give orders benefit of lowest price on day they are received. Will take pleasure in mailing samples and quoting inside prices at any time on large orders. NOTICE.--While we exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable we do not give any warranty expressed or implied. Samples sent for testing if desired. There is no premium or discount on seeds in this department. SHIPPING.--In this department everything that is quoted by the packet or pound is sent by mail postpaid; all large quantities, unless specially noted, are sent by express or freight, at the expense of the purchaser. Ten cents per pound can be deducted from pound rates, if wanted by express. Prices named include bags and delivering at depot here.

CHOICE IOWA SEED CORN. It costs less than twenty-five cents an acre to use our carefully selected and tested seed corn. Is it wise to risk doubtful corn when good seed is so cheap. The varieties of field corn we offer are the best now in general use. They were grown especially for seed purposes, and were well matured, cured, carefully sorted by our seed corn experts, and shelled with great care. The value of the corn crop in Iowa alone would be increased two million dollars by an average increase of one bushel per acre, and it has been demonstrated that the crops can be fully doubled by planting some of our improved varieties. We are in the center of the best corn growing country of the world, where the soil and climate are peculiarly adapted to its culture, and we have given this branch of our business our most careful attention, until now we can say without fear of contradiction, that for the season of 1895, we have the best supply of seed corn ever offered by any seed firm in the world. For many years seed corn has been a very important part of our business, and we are every year experimenting and searching for valuable new varieties until we think we have now the cream of all for this and other states of the same latitude. We warn Iowa farmers to beware of southern varieties, or those offered by seedmen elsewhere which have not been tested here. The necessity of planting the very best varieties is plain, and it will not pay you to experiment with the many sorts which we have tried and found worthless, nor to purchase from unscrupulous dealers. Some dealers last year, seeing the great success we had made in the seed corn trade, purchased common crib corn and sold it out untested and under fictitious names, and it made their customers a great amount of trouble. All our seed corn is very carefully tested, and none sent out that we are not certain will grow well under proper conditions We do not warrant it, but we will mail samples for testing to prospective customers. If a large quantity is wanted ask for prices. No extra charge for bags.

IOWA GOLD MINE CORN. BEST VARIETY OF CORN IN THE WORLD. Everyone who has tried it is enthusiastic in the praise of this splendid new variety which we introduced in 1892. Iowa is not called a gold mining state, but in this grand new variety farmers of this country will find a veritable mine of wealth. It has everywhere received the most cordial endorsement as the best and most profitable variety ever grown. This variety originated as follows: Five years ago a special premium offered brought sample ears of corn from several hundred farmers and seed growers and from these we chose the one which was most decidedly the best, and have been selecting and improving it until it is about as near perfection as corn can be made. It is early, ripening only a few days later than Pride of the North; ears are of good size and symmetrical; color a bright golden yellow, as handsome as a twenty dollar gold coin just from the mint; grain is very deep; cob small, and therefore dries out very quickly as soon as ripe. Seventy pounds of ear corn makes sixty to sixty-two pounds of shelled corn, and in hauling to market it weighs out five bushels more to the wagon load than common varieties in the same size wagon. We have shelled selected ears of this variety which produced sixty-four pounds of shelled corn and only six pounds of cobs to the bushel. This is an unparalleled record. It can not be equaled by any other corn in the world. Thousands of our customers say they consider it the ne plus ultra in corn; that it would be impossible to attain any nearer perfection. We can most confidently recommend it as the acme of perfection and stake our reputation on its pleasing everyone who tries it. It will grade No. 1 in any market. We shall not be satisfied until every farmer in Iowa has seen this grand new variety. One carload lot of four hundred bushels ot Iowa Gold Mine corn was carefully weighed, and after shelling it was reweighed and there was just 456 bushels. Just think of it--A gain of 14 bushels to the 100! Remember if you want pure Iowa Gold Mine corn, you must purchase it direct from us, as we have not furnished any to any other dealer in Iowa this year. Don't be deceived. If you purchase from your local dealer, insist on seeing that our label is in every bag, plainly marked Iowa Seed Company. We most highly recommend it to our customers in all parts of Iowa and other states in the same latitude. It matures perfectly up to the extreme northern tier of counties. It will pay you to change your seed, and don't fail to at least see a sample of IOWA GOLD MINE before buying elsewhere. Per large package 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 65c, bu. $1.75, 2 bu. or more at $1.65 per bushel, 10 bu. or more at $1.50 per bushel.

ORDER EARLY. Last year and the year before we were obliged to return a large amount of money sent us by our customers for this corn. We think we have sufficient this year, but still it will pay you to send your order early, as there is sure to be an immense demand.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 33.

[image] LEGAL TENDER.

EARLY LONGFELLOW DENT.--For several years one of our growers has been at work originating this new sort, the object being to obtain a variety fully as early as Pride of the North and much larger. He succeeded so well that now we take pleasure in introducing it. The accompanying engraving was accurately made from an ear of the corn and well shows its shape, which is different from any other sort in existence and suggested the name. We recommend it highly to our many customers in northern Iowa and Minnesota as the best early corn ever offered. The grower who has had it for several years claims that it yields as well as any of the large sorts. Stalks of medium height, strong and not easily blown down. Ears have 12 rows, and are 10 to 14 inches in length, kernels rather shallow. Per large packet 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 60c, bu. $1.50, 10 bu. or more $1.40 per bushel.

[image] EARLY LONGFELLOW DENT.--From a photograph.

LONGFELLOW FLINT.--This is an eight-rowed yellow flint variety, the result of careful selection. The ears are from 10 to 15 inches long, 1 1/2 to 2 3/4 inches in diameter and are well filled out to extreme end of cob. The cob is small and the kernel large and broad. This corn is well adapted to the northwest, and is said to have produced two hundred bushels of ears to the acre in Massachusetts. In ordering, be sure and put in the word flint, to distinguish from our Longfellow Dent. Per large pkt. 5c, lb. 30c, 3 lb. 75c, pk. 75c, bu. $2.50.

[image] LONGFELLOW FLINT.

CLARK'S EARLY MASTODON.--Quite popular in some sections of the country, and in one test by special culture it yielded the enormous crop of 213 bushels to the acre. However we consider it a very poor variety and do not recommend it to our customers, but will furnish pure seed of it if desired, as we have some direct from Mr. Clark, the originator. The word "early" is an anomaly, as it is too late for Iowa farmers in an average season. Per lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 65c, bu. $1.75, 2 bu. or more at $1.50 per bushel.

$10.00 PRIZE For the best ear of corn of any color or variety sent us by April 10, 1895. Anyone can compete. Ask for particulars, or mail an ear of corn and it will be entered.

LEGAL TENDER.--With the exception of our Iowa Gold Mine, we consider the Legal Tender the best variety of yellow dent corn for Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska and the south. It is the result of about ten years' selection by a seed corn specialist in Mills county, Iowa, and has taken first premium at many state and county fairs. The corn is of uniform pure yellow color, a long ear and a deep grain on a small cob, while the stalk does not grow too large. The introducer says: "Our ideal ear is an ear two-thirds as large around as it is long, containing sixteen to twenty rows, and small shank. The kernels are deep, the cob is small at the butt and the ear holds its bigness toward the point until near tapering off. It should be capped over and the kernels should hold their bigness toward the point and the butt run out straight and not crinkle." It matures fairly early, but we do not recommend it for the extreme northern portion of the state. Per large pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 65c, bu. $1.75, 2 bushels or more $1.65 per bushel, 10 bushels or more at $1.50 per bushel. PRIDE OF THE NORTH.--This variety has been grown and improved in the extreme northern part of Iowa. The ears are 8 to 10 inches long with small cob and kernel; seventy pounds of ears will make sixty pounds of shelled corn; color bright orange, and very uniform. Will ripen in ninety days and matures in this latitude when planted in June. Per large pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 60c, bu. $1.50, 10 bu. or more at $1.40. STAR LEAMING.--The Leaming corn, which originated with Mr. Leaming, of Ohio, was always a good variety, but it had some serious faults for culture in this state, and we have refrained from giving it our endoresment. A few years ago we found an extra nice lot in the hands of an enterprising Iowa farmer, who had been selecting it for several years. We were greatly pleased with it, but were not willing to offer it to our customers without still further selection. We now have a corn which is a great improvement on the Leaming, but it retains all the valuable characteristics of that variety, so that instead of giving it a new name, we call it Star Leaming to distinguish it from other strains. It will ripen in 100 days, has medium size ears, grains of good depth, and rich golden yellow color. Many of the corn growers who attended the state corn show here saw several hundred bushels of this variety cribbed up in our store and said it was the handsomest lot of corn they had ever seen. It really does stand second only to our Iowa Gold Mine in handsome appearance. It is very productive when compared with the common varieties of field corn, and we are sure will please our customers. Remember it can only be obtained by ordering direct from us. Don't put up with the old variety of Leaming when you can obtain this great improvement. Per large pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, pk. 60c, bu. $1.50, 10 bu. or more at $1.40 per bushel. POP CORN.--See pages 14 and 29 of this catalogue.

Your Legal Tender corn took first premium for the best yellow corn at the Cass county fair. It was very fine. F. B. VAN ORMAN, Cass Co., Ia. We purchased of you last spring 2 bushels of Star Leaming and 1 of Legal Tender seed corn and we had good results. Get good seed corn of the Iowa Seed Co. and success is insured. HILL & DIGGS, Madison Co.

[image] STAR LEAMING.