15

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 13.

[image] A NABOB CONSUMER.

NABOB WATERMELON.
We were so much pleased with our tests of this fine new variety the past season that we want to share the enjoyment of it with our customers. It is decidedly distinct and attractive, having a peculiarly mottled color of shell. Flesh deepest scarlet, firm and solid, but melting, juicy, and of luscious flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.

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. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 25c.

ORANGE WATERMELON.
Everyone knows what a bother watermelon rinds are on the table, and were it not for this trouble, the watermelon would be still more popular as a desert [dessert] fruit. This difficulty is now overcome, and the Orange will make the handsomest ornament ever set on the festive board, and will attract universal attention. The great peculiarity of this melon is that the rind naturally separates from the flesh when ripe, and with a slight use of a knife between the segments, can be removed like the rind of an orange, leaving a most beautiful fruit for the center of the table. The illustration shown herewith was made from an average size, twelve-pound melon and well shows the shape and peculiar manner of separating. Quality is excellent, tender, juicy and sweet. We want everyone to try it, and have therefore made prices low. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.

[image] IOWA MASTODON

[image] ORANGE WATERMELON.

WONDERFUL SUGAR WATERMELON.
When making a tour among our seed growers, we were greatly pleased with this variety, which we found growing in Nebraska. The gentlemen on whose place they were growing is an enthusiast on melons, and after testing quite a number of varieties, all persons present united in pronouncing the Wonderful Sugar by far the best. It is a large melon, averaging about 35 pounds each. They are long, rather light-colored, mottled, and irregularly striped with dark green; rind rather thin and tough. Flesh a delicate red, and the most tender, juicy and luscious that can be imagined. Everyone who has a place to grow melons should try this splendid new variety. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25.

GRAND RAPIDS MUSK MELON.
One week earlier than any other variety. The main characteristic of this melon is its extreme earliness. Grand Rapids is well known on account of its progressive market gardeners, and in that wide awake city the Grand Rapids melon has been on the market two weeks earlier than any other sort, and sold readily at $2.50 per dozen to hotels and fancy grocers, while melons grown in the south were practically unsalable. The flesh is pure yellow, clear to the rind; skin finely netted. The handsome appearance of this melon is sure to attract attention. To attain the best results, and to show its remarkable earliness and productiveness, we would advise our customers to pinch off the runners; while it has no tendency to run more than other varieties, at the same time by throwing the growth into fruit, it makes the fruit of larger size and earlier. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25.

NEW IDEAL MAMMOTH RHUBARB.
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 one which was so far superior to and different from all others that he saved it carefully, and the root has been divided and progagated [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, oz. 25c.

MINATURE POP CORN.
A regular little beauty. Attractive on accout of its small size and handsome, pertect shaped ears which are only two to three inches long, with very deep, pure white kernals [kernels] which pop out to immense size and are particularly tender and fine quality. Stalks usually produce from three to eight ears. It is a fine corn and will sell well on the market. Per pkt. 5c, 1/2 pt. 25c, qt. 75c.

ITALlAN MIXED TOMATO.
Last year we purchased from a leading seed firm in Italy an assortment of tomato seeds including all varieties known in Europe. In our test there seemed to be an almost limitless varation as to color, shape and size, including a great many never before seen ranging from white, through all shades of yellow and pink to dark red and purple. Most of the varieties were of most excellent quality while a few were inferior. The field was a constant daily suprize [surprise] and pleasure which we wish to share with our customers. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 40c.

CANARY ISLAND ONION.
A very handsome variety of onion which we have imported from the Canary Islands. It is of small to medium size, flat and ranges from white to dark pink in color. It is extremely early maturing neat, handsome bulbs long before other sorts. Pkt. 5c, oz. 35c.

DWARF WHITE HEART COS LETTUCE.
Decided the best of the Cos or Celery lettuces, the earliest and longest standing. Of attractive green color, self-blanching the inner leaves without tying up. Quality of heart much superior to any ordinary variety of lettuce. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.

[image] NEW IDEAL MAMMOTH RHUBARB.