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SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

NEW IDEAL MAMMOTH RHUBARB (Novelty 1896).
The rhubarb (or pieplant) is a vegetable which it is difficult to improve and it takes many years to fully establish a new variety. About twenty- five years ago Dr. Kennicott, of Illinois, in growing roots from seed found only which was superior to and different from all others that he saved it carefully, and root has been divided and propagated from year to year until finally we purchased the stock. Like all other highly improved sorts it seeds very sparingly, and comes more nearly true to name when grown from seed than most other sorts. The stalks are fully as large, if not larger, than the Victoria, and are produced in greater abundance. We have no hesitancy in calling it the most vigorous and productive variety known. Quality is unsurpassed. Per pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. for 25c.

AMERICAN MAMMOTH BRUSSELLS SPROUTS.
This rich but long neglected vegetable is becoming more and more popular. We are able to offer to our customers this season seed of a new and greatly superior variety, of American-grown seed which has the great merit of forming heads ready for picking about three weeks earlier than other varieties which are raised from imported stocks. It has the additional merit of making stronger plants and making more heads. A friend picked this year from a single plant more than two quarts of heads. A profitable crop for market gardeners. One gardener near New York City last year made $500.00 on a crop of two acres of this improved variety. We want everyone to try them this year. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 40c, 1/4 lb. $1.25.

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NEW IDEAL MAMMOTH RHUBARB.

IOWA MASTODON MELON.
The most extraordinary new variety which has been offered for many years, 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, fully 3 1/2 inches thick and of excellent flavor; it is tender and sweet up to the rind, which is thin and tough. In packets only of 25 seeds in each. Per pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. 25c, 7 for 50c, 16 for $1.00,

LEMON BLUSH TOMATO.
It was with little confidence that we gave this variety a place in our trial grounds, but we admit that we were greatly and agreeably surprised, and our farm superintendent pronounces it the nearest approach to a perfect tomato that has been produced up to this time. The skin and flesh are a bright lemon yellow, with a faint rose blush or light crimson tint diffused over part of the surface opposite the stem. The plant is a vigorous grower, ripening its fruit abundantly in mid-season. It may never become a popular market sort, but anyone desiring a choice table variety for home consumption should not fail to have it. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 50c

[image. Iowa Mastodon]

IMPROVED DANISH BALLHEAD CABBAGE.
This variety has been selected and perfected for more than fifty years by the Danish
gardeners. They prize it so highly that they grow it almost exclusively for winter cabbage, and annually export large quantities to London, Paris and other sorts. It will stand long journeys and keep far into the spring, and is of most rich and mild taste. Heads round as a ball, of good size, solid and very fine grained. Has but few outer leaves, thus admitting of close planting. Medium size and hardest of all; tender and crisp with but little waste heart. Flavor unexcelled. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb, 85c, lb. $2.75.

[image. Zigzag Evergreen Sweet Corn.]

NEW ZIGZAG EVERGREEN SWEET CORN.
The illustration (taken from a photograph of a dried ear) gives a good idea of the character of this corn, which all unite in pronouncing the grandest and most distinct late corn ever sent out. Stowell's Evergreen has heretofore been the standard and favorite variety, but it must now take second place, as the Zigzag excels it in all important points. It is sweeter. It is much more productive (yielding two to four ears to the stalk), and it remains fit for use longer than the Stowell's or any other variety. The Michigan Agricultural Experiment station writes: "Ears of good size and well filled out. It reaches maturity with the Stowell's Evergreen and continues to furnish edible corn longer than any corn we have ever tested. Its season this year extended over a period of three weeks, when it was cut by frost. At that time it looked as green and vigorous as ever." Private planters and market gardeners who try this corn wlll use no other late variety. For canning it is unequaled. Per pkt. 5c, 1/2 pt. 15c, qt. 50c.

NEW ICEBERG LETTUCE.
There is no handsomer or more solid cabbage lettuce in cultivation- in fact, it is strikingly beautiful. The large, curly leaves which cover the outside of the solid heads are of a bright, light green with a very slight reddish tinge at the edges; they have small indents with are constantly filled with dewdrops. They are thus kept fresh, and show a remarkable crystalline appearance, which well warrants the name of Iceberg. The unusual solidity of the heads is insured by the large, white main ribs of leaves, each of which, curving strongly towards the center, acts like a truss, making it impossible for the leaves to open outward and expose the center which is consequently thoroughly blanched. Whether in early spring or the hottest days in summer, the quality is simply perfect. Surpassingly fine for the home garden and equally valuable for market. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 65c.

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New Iceberg Lettuce.