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IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA.

[image. copyrighted 1895 by W.A.B.&CO.] A SINGLE PLANT OF CUPID SWEET PEAS IN A TWELVE- INCH POT

CUPID SWEET PEAS.
Most Uniqne Floral Novelty for 1895
Last spring when we learned of this most wonderful new variety, we made up our mind to see it no matter what it cost. The seed could not be purchased at any price and there were only three places in America where it was being grown. The manager of the Iowa Seed Company therefore traveled a long distance to view them, and was really surprised and felt amply repaid for all the time and expense incurred, by the beautitul sight. They are indeed a superb novelty, and distinct from all other varieties. Fancy a solid area of deep green- just as green as cypress or myrtle- a carpet of plants only five inches high, spreading out from the roots so as to meet, when the seed is planted two feet apart in rows; then fancy this carpet of deep, living green, springing into blossom in one week, all a mass of white- clear waxy white sweet peas on stems four to six inches long and a hundred on a plant; all white- like a mass of snow. Indeed, so strongly contrasting with the deep green foliage that the purity of the whiteness of Cupid's flowers seem even whiter than snow itself! Cupid excites wonder wherever seen- such a Sweet Pea, yet in habit so unlike a Sweet Pea, with all the fragrance or the most favored Eckford's. The flowers are the size of the Emily Henderson, but with more substance in the petals of both wings and standards than any other sweet pea. It bears two or three blossoms on the end of each stem, -all opening about the same time, so that it is unnecessary to pick a stem with bud and an open blossom.
In California last summer it began blooming April 15th and continued in flower until killed by the frost.
Cupid grown in a twelve-inch pot just fills the top; with its blooms of glistening whiteness it is wonderfully attractive in the house, the public hall or the conservatory. In the garden it will be used chiefly as a border plant for it will bear trimming to just the proper shape. The foliage alone is pretty enough for any border, but this is forgotten when Cupid bursts into a mass of snow white blossoms wired in with ferns, smilax or other suitable green. The violet, the rose, and the carnation will have to share their popularity for a gentleman's boutonniere with Cupid; it is just the thing -it has the fragrance and the beauty, and it is a Sweet Pea, -the only sweet pea that looks well in the buttonhold. See illustration on front cover of catalogue and don't fail to try it this year. Per packet of 10 seeds 15c, 2 for 25c, 10 for $1.00. Larger packets, 20 seeds 25c each, 5 for $1.00.

NEW DOUBLE SWEET PEAS.
"The Bride of Niagra."
A great novelty tor 1896 and one which our customers will take pleasure in cultivating. It originated in the garden of Mrs. O H . Day, Niagara Falls, and it is the flrst double variety ever offered. There are two or three standards or upright parts. These standards are of a clear rose color, while the other parts are white. The duplicate or triplicate banners make it remarkably showy, and render it more durable as a cut flower. Colors pure and beautifully blended, of the sweetest fragrance and altogether a most lovely new variety. Per pkt. 25c.

NEW WHITE BRANCHING ASTER.
One or the best floral novelties and one which every flower lover should try. It is easily grown from seed and is of great utility and beauty for bedding purposes coming at a season when there is little else in flower, anticipating as they do the chrysanthemum season by month or six weeks. The flowers are borne on veyr long stems and are pure white, of extraordlnary size, being four inches or more in diameter The petals are broad, long, and many of them more or less twisted or curled in such a manner as to give the blooms the appearance of large loose and graceful chrysanthemums. The resemblance is so perfect that nearly everyone would so consider them when seen as cut flowers. The plant is a strong grower and its tendency to form numerous branches is very marked, therefore it should have more room than the ordinary aster. The plant continues to grow later in the season than any other variety with which we are acquainted, and blooms correspondingly late, thus giviug its crop of flowers in late autumn, a season when there is always a scarcity of bloom. Per pkt. 10c.

[image] STRIPED JAPANESE MAIZE.

STRIPED JAPANESE MAIZE.
An ornamental foliaged plant of rapid growth, giving immediate effect, and one which would be attractive in any garden. It is a native of Japan but appears in many respects like corn. It grows from five to six feet high and has alternate foliage, the leaves being very long and two to three inches wide. The variegation does not
begin to show until the fourth or fifth leaf, when the leaves become striped with broad bands of white, changing soon to narrow stripes or ribbons of alternate clear white and brightest green, occasionally showing faint tinges of pink or rose color at the edges. The leaves are waxy and gracefully recurved. Our illustration does not do it justice. Desirable for groups on the lawn, or in ribbon beds, or a back border to the lawn. Attracted much attention on our seed farm the past season, and as our crop was good we have made price low. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c.
[image. VICK'S NEW WHITE BRANCHING ASTER.]