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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 $100.

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 VegetabIes on Back Cover.

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CHOICE IOWA SEEDS
TESTED AND TRUE
IOWA SEED CO. DES MOINES.

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 some what 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 familes for several years, and made many friends. Its 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 vigorus 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.