1898

24. Seed Catalogue And Garden Guide.

[Left Column.] Elegant Palms. These have for centuries been considered exclusively for the rich, the plants usually selling at $3.00 to $100.00 each, and in some cases fine plants of the rarer sorts have brought as high as $1,500.00 each. It is now known, however, that they are easily grown from seed, and we have secured a large lot of nice fresh seed for our customers so that we can furnish it at such a low price that everyone could supply themselves with these beautiful and elegant plants. Directions for growing printed on the packet.

Latania Borbonica.--This is the typical palm, and is more largely used than any other. Its strong healthy habit commends it to all and gives a fitness for window and room culture not posessed in the same degree perhaps by any other. It is the Chinese Fan Palm from which the palm leaf fans of commerce are made. Per pkt. of 6 seeds 10c.

Chamaerops Excelsa. From southern China and Japan. Very hardy. One of the very best palms for house culture in cool climates, forming a fine specimen, standing ill usage remarkably well. Very handsome palmate leaves. Per pkt. of 10 seeds 10c.

Phoenix Dactylifera.--A native of northern Africa. This is the palm from which the date of commerce is obtained. Exceedingly beautiful for pot culture and very hardy. Per pkt. of 10 seeds 10c.

[Image: Drawing, illustration of a palm plant sitting on a small table in front of a screen, Caption-Latania Borbonica Palm.]

Washingtonia Filifera.--This is one of the very best window palms, needing no petting to succeed. Stands dust, dry air, and lack of sunshine, and is very ornamental with its elegant fan-shaped leaves of a rich, dark, leathery green. Picturesquely fringed with long, thread-like filaments along the segments of the leaves. The plant is a compact grower, well adapted to pot culture, succeeding in any situation, and with any treatment that will keep a geranium alive. Per pkt. of 12 seeds 10c.

Banana Palm.--(Musa Ensete.) One of the grandest and most picturesque of the banana family. As a solitary plant or in groups on the lawn, it has a majestic tropical effect. The leaves are very long and broad, of a beautiful green with crimson midrib in striking contrast. An occasional application of liquid manure and frequent watering are necessary. The rapidity of its growth is astonishing. Per pkt. of 3 seeds 10c. Umbrella Palm. (Cyperus.) See description on page 36. Per pkt. of 100 seeds 10c. A Grand Offer.--One pkt. each of the above six varieties for 40c. We furnish plants of the Latania Palm at 25c each, postpaid. Larger plants $1.00 to $5.00, each by express, not prepaid.

Beautiful Wild Rose. Iowa's State flower. When properly cultivated makes a handsome shaped bush, covered with beautiful buds and flowers and afterwards with bright red seed balls. Pkt. 10c.

New Mammoth Heliotrope. No illustration can give an adequate idea of the immense size and rare beauty of the flower-heads of this most wonderful new Heliotrope. They range through all shades of violet and blue to deep indigo, frequently producing flower-heads almost white, which are more than twice the size of the old varieties, many o [of] the heads measuring (when fully expanded) 10 to 12 inches across. The fragrance is simply lovely. Easily grown from seed which should be started early in the house, and from a single packet a large number of strong, healthy plants are produced which would cost 10 to 25c each at the florists. This supurb new variety is a strong grower, producing a constant succession of immense heads of flowers. Per pkt. of 100 seeds 10c. [Image: Drawing of a blossoming flower-head of a heliotrope, Caption-New Mammoth Flowering Heliotrope.]

Madam Gunther's Hybrid Nasturtiums. For richness and variety of colors these new hybrids have no equals among nasturtiums. The foliage is mostly dark, contrasts very effectively with the flowers. They are climbers and are free continuous bloomers. Color of flowers is most gorgeous, ranging from white through all shades of pink, red, carmine, crimson, salmon, golden yellow to the deepest brown and maroon--nearly black all striped, shaded and blotched in an indescribable manner. Per pkt. 10c.

[Image: Drawing/illustration of flowering plants in urns, Caption-Madam Gunther's Hybrid Nasturtiums.]

New Branching Aster. One of the best floral novelties and one which every flower lover should try. The flowers are borne on very long stems and are of extraordinary size, being four inches or more in diameter. Mixed colors. Per pkt. 10c.

[Right Column.] Royal Mixed Aster. The Aster is a specialty with us and we consider it one of the most satisfactory flowers for general cultivation. There are many hundreds of varieties, but we consider it unnecessary to list them all. Our Royal Mixture consists of all the best varieties from all parts of the world, which are suitable for growing together. You will surely be pleased with it. Per pkt. of 100 seeds 10c.

Early Dawn Cosmos. Introduced by us two years ago and it jumped at once into popularity on account of its extreme earliness, coming into bloom in about two months from time of sowing and continuing until destroyed by frost. The flowers are a little smaller than the late kind. The plants have fine, feathery, light green foliage and delicate rose, purple, white and lilac flowers, which are produced on long stems and are very desirable for bouquets, as they will last a week after cutting. Well worthy of a trial by all who wish a free blooming plant of the easiest culture. Mixed colors, pkt. 10c.

Golden Machet Mignonette. This charming novelty is identical with the Matchet variety except that it is of a beautiful golden yellow color. Pkt. 5c.

New Sweet Peas. Daybreak.--In color it has a white ground and on the reverse of the standard is a crimson scarlet cloud, which shows through in the fine veins and network, giving the center of the front of the standard a fine crimson-scarlet watered effect, the outer margins being white. The wings are slightly flaked with crimson. Per pkt. 10c. [Image: Drawing of single bloom with a ribbon, captioned-Oddity, Copyrighted 1895, W.A.B. & Co. ] [Image: Drawing of single bloom with a ribbon, captioned-Daybreak, Copyrighted 1895, W.A.B. & Co.]

Oddity.--Has a peculiar irregularity of form in the flowers; the standards are inclined to curl considerably. Another distinct feature is that the stems are unusually heavy and strong; they generally bear four flowers on each. In color the flowers are a pale carmine edged with bright rose, giving it the appearance somewhat of a red-edged variety. It is a remarkably strong grower and with its heavy stem, curly standard, and peculiar coloring, with a sort of netted surface, is certainly attractive. Per pkt. 10c. Pink Cupid.--A lovely little novelty for 1898. It is dwarf, growing only 6 to 8 inches high spreading into a plant 15 to 18 inches wide and bearing hundreds of beautiful rose pink flowers on long stems. Sold only in originator's packets of 24 seeds. Price 25c.

Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa. 35. [Image: Drawing of a chrysanthemum bloom, Caption-Illumination Chrysanthemum.]

Illumination Chrysanthemum. A grand new variety of most robust, sturdy growth, and claimed to be the best white yet introduced. Plant is erect, about 2 to 2 1/2. feet high, branching so as to make a perfect shaped bush, covered with a great number of beautiful snow-white flowers which are so full and deep as to be almost perfect balls. Our illustration shows form of flowers and petals. It blooms at mid-season and is of excellent substance and therefore keeps well both on the plant and after cutting. Everyone who loves flowers should have one of these magnificent new plants. Each 20c.

Imperial Lantanas. These might well be called bush or shrub Verbenas as they have a flower somewhat resembling the Verbena, borne on a woody, bush shaped plant. Its brilliant colors, robust growth, and profuse blooming habits render it one of the finest bedding plants that grow. The flowers embrace all of the most delicate shades of orange, sulphur, lilac, red, pink, white, etc., changing from one distinct color to another, as they increase in age and development. The ever changing colors make the plant of special interest, and a few specimens will add greatly to the attractiveness of any bed. They do well when grown in pots and may be trained in almost any desired form. They are easily wintered in any light, dry cellar. Our collection contains all the best varieties and we have made the price very low so that all could try them. Each 10c, six plants all different for 50c.

Hawkeye Giant Coleus. Our colored illustration gives but a faint idea of the surpassing beauty of this new coleus. It is a seedling of ours which has attracted much attention in the greenhouse and on the seed farm, and brought out many exclamations of wonder from our customers. The leaves are of immense size. They are beautifully curled and serrated and the color is royally rich and brilliant. Each 10c, dozen 75c.

Parrot's Feather. [An] n aquatic hanging plant is a novelty indeed, and we have it to perfection in this dainty little jewel[.] Its long trailing stems are clothed with whorls of the most exquisite foliage, as finey cut as the leaves of the Cypress Vine, but more delicate. Planted in water-tight hanging basket, will trail finely. Each 15c.

California Violet. The plant is a robust grower with dense, heavy foliage, entirely free from disease. Flowers large, single, intensely fragrant. Color, a clear, violet purple that does not fade. The flowers are very large and borne on stems ten to twelve inches long, giving them unusual value for cut flowers. Each 10c.

Double New Life Geranium. The greatest novelty in the plant line. The sensation which the Single New Life Geranium created when introduced in England is well remembered. The Double New Life, as may be judged from our very faithful illustration is a much greater sensational departure in every way. The outer florets are large, of a brilliant red. In the center of these appears another semi-double floret, a pure white in color, effecting a very charming contrast, difficult to realize unless seen, and having the appearance of being produced artificially. This very novel Geranium was lately sent out in England by subscription at a fabulous price. See illustration in colors on cover of our catalogue and don't fail to have it if you like rare beautiful flowers. Each 25c, $2.00 per doz. [Image: Drawing of a flowering plant, Caption-Double New Life Geranium. Copyrighted 1895, A. Blanc & Co.]

India Rubber Tree. The large, shining, green leaves endure the dry air of a living room as well or better than any other plant; this is why everybody likes it. Each 60c,[.]

Asparagus Plumosus Nanus. One of the handsomest of our foliage plants for pot culture, beautiful the year round, and there is no more decorative plant in the entire list. Easily grown even in a north window. The leaves are a bright green, are gracefully arched and are as finely woven as the finest silken mesh; their lasting qualities, when cut, are remarkable, retaining their freshness for weeks, hence it ranks as the most valuable plant we have for this purpose, surpassing Maiden Hair Ferns in grace, fineness of texture and richness of color. Price, strong plants, 25c each.

Solanum Jasminoides Grandiflorum. Another beautiful plant which is illustrated on cover of this catalogue. It is of trailing or climbing habit, but if desired can be cut back to a bush form. It has star-shaped flowers borne in large clusters or panicles frequently a foot across. They are in color a pure white with violet tinge on the back; equally a good bloomer in summer and winter, and is wonderfully effective when planted to cover a low wall or trellis, showing hundreds of fine panicles of bloom. Each 15c.

"Chance" Salvia. This most charming new variety is a sport from the scarlet flowering Salvia Splendens. The flowers are beautifully striped and mottled with scarlet and white making it very striking and showy, both in the garden and in bouquets. The leaves are also variegated light and dark green. Plant grows in the form or a compact bush about two feet high and blooms profusely throughout the summer, in fact the plant is almost covered with bloom constantly. Salvias are the people's flower and should be planted by every body as they are of the easiest culture, thrive everywhere, are constantly in bloom and therefore very desirable for bedding. Set out a few plants of the "Chance" Salvia, and nothing in your garden will attract more attention. Also makes a beautiful plant when grown in pots. Each 15c, $1.40 per dozen.

New Golden Leaved Salvia. This new variety is destined to become popular. It is a sport from the well known scarlet Salvia Splendens, differing from that variety in having golden yellow foliage. Its golden yellow foliage and brilliant scarlet flowers make it one of the most attractive plants we know of for bedding. Try it. Each 15c.

Letters From New Zealand We receive thousands of testimonials from our customers in all parts of this country and could fill this book with them if necessary. To show how people in other countries like our seeds we publish the following letters which were sent to us voluntarily:

Seeds received from you are in every way satisfactory. Quite a number here intend ordering next year. E. B. Hill, Raglan, N. Z.

Seeds purchased from you did very well. The cabbage were the best that I ever had. Jas. McCracken, Te Mata, N. Z.

The seeds received from you did very well. I never had such vegetable seed before. The cabbage especially was first class. Mrs. W. Gibbison, Kauroa, N. Z.

I am much pleased with your seeds. A. H. Cogswell, Waingaro, N. Z.

Your Short Stem Drumhead cabbage grew to a weight of from 16 to 22 pounds each without the aid of manure. Robert Vernon, Te Mata, N. Z.

The seeds ordered from you last year gave great satisfaction in every respect. Your Snowball Cauliflower is superior to anything heretofore grown. Ernest C. Moon, Te Uku, N. Z. [Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a flowering plant, Caption-Chance Salvia.]

36. Seed Catalogue And Garden Guide.

This Bouvardia is a beauty. Try it. [Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a flowering plant within a frame, Caption-Alfred Neuner Bouvardia.]

Alfred Neuner Bouvardia. This magnificent and showy plant is the ideal Bouvardia. It is a stout, erect, strong grower, making charming shaped plants,producing great clusters of the most beautiful, waxy, double pure white flowers, resembling bunches of minature [miniature] tuberoses. It blooms well during the summer beginning early in July, but its greatest value is for winter flowering. Some consider it the best of all winter blooming plants. They are quite rare and will attract attention anywhere. Each 20c.

Beautiful Wild Rose. The wild, wild rose, whose fragrance dear To every breeze is flung, The same wild rose that blossomed here When Iowa was young.--Byers.

Last winter the state legislature adopted the wild rose as the "State Flower of Iowa," and it is indeed a charming flower. It has heretofore been little thought of because like Golden Rod it was common in the fields. Last spring we transplanted a few plants to the garden giving them good culture and were greatly surprised to see what symmetrical nice shaped little bushes they made, and they were fairly covered with beautiful flowers. The buds are nicely pointed and a cluster of them makes an elegant corsage bouquet. The flowers are of many shades from pure satiny white through all shades of rose and pink to a deep crimson, and some of them are beautifully striped and penciled; quite fragrant and lasting. Cultivation seems to change its habit of growth and it makes a more sturdy, upright growth, and would look well for a hedge, the foliage being handsome when plant is not in bloom. Everyone who enjoys the exquisitely beautiful should set out a few plants, and especially those flower lovers who live in this state. Be patriotic. See illustration in colors on front cover. Strong plants 15c each, four for 50c. Seed, per pkt. 10c.

Royal Purple Strobilanthe. A new house and bedding plant. It forms a compact bush 18 inches high, with leaves 6 to 9 inches long, 3 to 4 inches wide, and of the most intense metallic purple color, shading into light rose. Nothing can equal it. Each 15c.

[Lower, left column.] Rudbeckia, "Golden Glow." A glorious new hardy herbaceous plant, and one that should find a place in every garden. It is of fine habit, vigorous growth, with early, continuous and immense blooming qualities. It will be found excellent also for cut flower purposes. The stems are long and gracefully poised; the foliage is abundant and ornamental. It attains a height of from six to eight feet, and a small plant set out in the spring will produce hundreds of blossoms during August and September, each one as large as a fair sized Chrysanthemum. Price 15c.

Cemetery Plant Collection This collection is prepared expressly for planting in the cemetery, and will produce a constant show of white flowers throughout the summer and autumn. One White Heliotrope, 1 Double Feverfew, 1 Lily of the Valley, 1 Forget-Me-Not, 1 Double White Geranium, 1 Achillea Alba, 1 Sweet Alyssum, 1 Myrtle. Total, 8 plants, 50c.

Meteor Rose. A rich, dark, velvety crimson, ever-blooming rose, as fine in color as the best of the Hybrid Perpetuals; the flowers are of good size, very double and perfect in shape, either as a bud or when fully opened; the plant is vigorous and remarkably free flowering. A splendid sort for pot cultutre, and the best of all the Hybrid Teas as a bedding variety for summer cut flowers, as it retains its color well, even in the hottest weather. See illustration on back cover of this catalogue. It is the rose for everybody. Each 15c, dozen $1.25.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a single striped rose bloom with leaves, Caption-Rainbow Rose.] Rainbow Rose. An elegant striped Tea rose or strong healthy growth and exceedingly free flowering habit. The buds are large on strong stiff stems. Color is a lovely shade of pink, striped and mottled in a 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. A most charming variety. Each 15c.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a plant, in a pot, on a platform, with fans and a glass nearby, Caption-Umbrella Palm, artist name illegible.] Umbrella Palm. (Cyperus.) An ornamental and very striking plant as shown by the cut. It throws up slender, round stems from two to three feet high, surmounted at the top by a whorl of flat, ribbon-like leaves, diverging horizontally, giving the plant a very curious appearance. This curious effect is still further heightened when the odd, golden-green, tassel-like flowers appear on the top of the whorls, as shown in the cut. It is a splendid decorative plant, being as ornamental as a palm or fern, and above all, it is as easily grown as the commonest weed. As it will thrive in shade as well as sun it is an excellent plant for the dining room table; or as a water plant in very moist spots or for aquariums or fountains. When treated as a pot plant it should have an abundance of water. We sell thousands of these plants to our local customers and they are always satisfactory. Nice plants, 15c each.

[Lower, Right Column.] [Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a branch with leaves and a single drooping bloom, Caption-Eclipse Abutilon.] Eclipse Abutilon. A most charming, trailing variety, well shown by our illustration. The foliage is elegantly penciled, marked with dark green and yellow; a fine contrast, while the pendulus bell-shaped flowers are bright yellow with crimson throat. An excellent plant for vases and hanging baskets as well as for rockeries. Each 15c.

Souvenir De Bonn Abutilon. A most striking decorative foliage plant, with beautiful variegated leaves of good size, regularly and evenly marked with white and green. Amid these leaves the graceful drooping, orange-colored flowers are produced in great abundance, forming a clear and brilliant contrast. Each 15c.

Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa. 37.

[Top, left column.] [Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a single potato, Caption-Parson's Prolific.]

Parson's Prolific.--Introduced by us in 1882, and by far the best main crop potato in cultivation for Iowa growers. They are a very nice, smooth, white potato, slightly russeted and with eyes almost even with the surface. They run unusually even in size, there being but few small ones and no overgrown large potatoes. It is the potato for main crop, and it will pay you to plant some of them this year. Pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00.

Great Divide.--A grand new variety. The most robust growing, largest yielding, longest keeping, and best shipping main crop, long white potato in America. In fact, it is a peer of the Burbank in its palmiest days, while it is adapted to a greater variety of soils and climates. Our stock of this excellent variety is exceptionally fine. Remember, all our stock is true to name grown for us by the originator. Per pk. 60c, bu. $1.75, bbl. $4.00. Mills' Prize.--One of the largest potato growers in this state is now devoting most of his land to this variety claiming that it is the largest yielder of any and he can sell it in competition with the Colorado grown, as quality is so superior. Cooks quickly. Per pk. 50, bu. $1.50, bbl. $3.50. Freeman.--The tuber is oval in shape and russet in color; flesh is very white, both raw and when cooked. From the time they are as large as hen's eggs until new potatoes come in the next year they burst open when boiled with their jackets on, appearing snow white and floury. Has matured in 39 days from time of planting. A good yielder. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.50, bbl. $3.50. Early Beauty of Hebron.--A standard early sort. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00. Bonanza.--One of the leading varieties for main crop. The tubers are large, oblong, somewhat flattened, skin smooth, flesh firm, white and fine grained. Productive and of superior quality. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3 00. Rural New Yorker, No. 2.--Originated on the experimental grounds of the Rural New Yorker, where more than 500 varieties have been tested, and it proved the largest yielder of any. Large and unusually smooth, with few and shallow eyes; skin is white, as is the flesh, which is of superior quality. Medium late and best drouth resister. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00.

[Top, right column.] Seed Potatoes. With no other seed is the importance of change more essential than with the potato. By using our northern grown seed you are assured of early maturity, increased yield and a vigorous growth. Our stock, as usual, has been grown from selected seed, and expressly for seed purposes. Order as early as possible, stating whether you desire them shipped by express or freight, and we will ship as soon as the weather permits. We will ship at any time, when requested to do so, regardless of the weather, but customers in this case must take the risk. Prices are subject to any important market changes. At prices named we make no charge for boxes, barrels or drayage. Pound Prices.--All varieties 30c per lb., 3 lbs. for 75c, postpaid. Extra Early Ohio.--(Fancy Northern Grown Stock.) For several years past we have been having these grown in the noted Red River valley, about 450 miles north of Des Moines, and careful tests have proven them to be fully ten days earlier than our Iowa grown stock. This is a great advantage to the gardener and puts this variety at the head of the list of extra earlies. They are all of good average size, strictly pure, smooth, and entirely free from scab and rot. In our tests they are positively the earliest to mature their entire crop of any variety we have ever had, and outyield other early sorts about two to one. It is a special favorite with marketmen, and the most profitable potato they can possibly grow. The sprout is very strong and the vines grow erect, making it easy to cultivate, and on account of its early maturity you can get the highest prices and have the land for other crops. The tubers grow compact in the hill, are easily dug, very few small ones, nearly every one being of marketable size; they keep firm until late in the spring. One grower reports that for several years past the yield has been from 300 to 500 bushels per acre. This is our specialty in standard varieties. Don't plant Iowa grown stock when you can obtain these. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.35, bbl. $3.25.

Early Ohio.-Grown in Iowa. Per pk. 40c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00. [Image: Drawing, 3 potatoes, Caption-Extra Early Ohio.]

Minnesota Early Rose.--Superior in earliness and size to the Iowa grown. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00. Queen Of The Valley.--(Honeye Rose.) A heavy yielder of the Aebron class. Of superior table quality. Per pk. 50, bu. $1.50. bbl. $3.50. Hybridized Potato Seed.--We have a quantity of very choice potato seed from the flower ball (the true seed) which we are pleased to offer our customers this year. It is from such seed that all the choice new varieties of potatoes are originated, and there is much interest in growing them. Sow in fairly rich soil. The second year they develop their characteristics. Per pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. for 25c, postpaid. Collection.--One pound of each of the eleven varieties for $1.00 by express, purchaser to pay charges.

[Bottom Of Page.] Seed Sweet Potatoes. [Content, lower part of page, was missing from scanned text, added manually.] [Image: Drawing, cross section, clump of sweet potatoes growing under a plant.] For twenty years past our firm has been known as headquarters in central Iowa for choice seed sweet potatoes. Our stock is grown, stored and handled especially for seed purposes and cannot fail to please all. So perfect is our manner of packing that there is rarely a complaint, although they are usually considered very perishable, by reason of changes in the weather or rough handling, but we cannot guarantee safe delivery. Price subject to market changes. Write for price on large lots. We ship about April 12, usually. Early Yellow Jersey.--In spite of the many so-called new varieties, all of which we have tested, the Early Yellow Jersey holds the first place. The earliest, most productive, of short, "chunky" shape, and of the very best quality. Not stringy. Very few small ones. Per pk. 60c, bu. $1.40, bbl. $3.00. Red Jersey, Red Nansemond, White Southern Queen.--We can supply choice seed of these varieties, if ordered by April 5, at 75c per peck, $2.00 per bu., $4.50 per bbl. Yellow Nansemond.--The old standby, by some growers considered equal to the Jersey. Per pk. 60c, bu. $1.40, bbl. $3.00. Vineless Sweet Potatoes.--A novelty which has proved very popular in some places. Can be planted much closer, do not require the lifting or trimming of vines and for this reason are more desirable than the older varieties. They are good keepers and excellent quality as a table potato. Don't fail to try them. Write for price of seed and plants in March or April. Present price is 80e[c] per peck, $2.50 per bushel. Jos C. Brown, of La Crosse, Wis., says: "The seeds I purchased from the Iowa Seed Co. are the best I ever used. My neighbors who have seen my garden vegetables say they are the best they ever saw and they all want your catalogue." [Image: Bordered box in the corner, Drawing of a knife cutting into a potato, includes text below.] Concaved and Curved Seed Potato Knife.--It is thin and of the right shape to cut one, two and three-eye pieces fast and not crack the tuber nor injure the germs. Price 35c, each, postpaid.

38. Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa.

[Image: Bordered box in upper left corner, drawing of a girl holding a bouquet of blooms, smelling a single flower, Caption-I love Flowers. Don't You?] Flower Seeds. Our floral beauties come in for their full share of attention, and in fact we have this year given them more time and space than ever before on our grounds. We have in our employ an experienced specialist in this line, who, under our supervision, attends to growing whatever can be grown to advantage in this country, tests all novelties offered in this country or Europe, and is constantly striving, by selection and hybridization, to improve the leading varieties, and make our choice Iowa flower seeds just what we are striving for--the best in the world. All who truly love the beautiful, and prize all things new and valuable in the floral kingdom, will be interested in the following pages, and also in looking over the flower plant and bulb list. Our flower seeds are all fresh and we know they are unsurpassed. Quality is always the first consideration. Our mixtures are mainly made up by ourselves from named varieties, or from growing a large number of the best named varieties together, and will yield a better assortment than is commonly found. This year we list all the varieties alphabetically together. Annuals, biennials, perennials, climbers, everlastings and ornamental grasses, but mention in the description the class they belong to if they are not annuals. This will make it easier to find any sort named. Our Prices.--The cost of raising the various sorts of flower seeds varies greatly, from such as mignonette, which we can grow a hundred pounds of at but comparatively only few dollars expense, up to double petunia, which costs us over one hundred dollars per ounce, and some other kinds which are still more expensive. There are but few who care for more than one good sized bed of any sort; therefore we have filled our packets with a sufficient amount and made prices as low as possible, some being only two or three cents each, and we are certain customers will be well pleased with the quantity they contain.

Discounts.--In spite or our very low prices by the packet we still offer flower seeds in packets only to the amount of $1.25 for $ 1.00. This discount does not apply to collections of seeds nor to seeds by weight or measure. Directions For Sowing, Etc.--To insure success the conditions and requirements of the several species as to soil, moisture, heat, etc., should be studied and then observed in culture. Below we give a few general directions for their culture, though more complete directions will be found printed on many of the seed packets. The soil best adapted to most flowers is light, rich loam, containing enough sand to make it porous. If there is some clay with it the colors will be brighter. Make the surface as smooth and fine as possible, sow seeds in rows, covering each sort or seed in proportion to its size (a good general rule being to cover twice the diameter of the seed) and press the soil down firmly over it. Do not plant any seeds when the ground is wet. Many varieties, such as pansy, verbena, daisy, hollyhock and the fine greenhouse plant seeds, should be sown early in shallow boxes in the house, in soil consisting of equal parts of fine sand and rich, mellow loam, well mixed together and sifted to remove all gravel and lumps. Sow as before directed. Covering the box with glass helps to retain the moisture and keeps the temperature even. Be careful not to keep them too wet, and as soon as they are large enough to handle transplant into boxes from one to two inches apart where they are to remain until time to transplant to permanent beds. We will always be glad to answer any questions from our customers relative to the cultivation of any kind of plants. Novelties.--Many desirable novelties will be found described on the colored pages of this book while others are in their regular order in this department. We have this year carefully revised all the descriptions changing some of them after comparing with the flowers in the field, and we believe no more correct or complete list of desirable sorts can be found in any catalogue. A Nice Lawn is easily obtained by sowing our Central Park or Evergreen lawn grass seed. It is vastly cheaper than sodding, and you are not bothered with weeds, which are in the sod. See price in grass seed department. All flower seeds are sent free by mail on receipt of price. We have carefully compared our packets with those of many of the leading seed dealers and are convinced that our packets on an average are better filled than any of them. We are growers and sell flower seeds to many of the largest seedsmen in this country and Europe, and can afford to sell at low prices to our customers.

[Bottom, Left Column.] [Image: Drawing, cluster of blooms above a second image of a flower plant, Caption-Abronia.

Abronia. Trailing habit similar to verbenas, bearing clusters of sweet-scented flowers. Effective for bedding in masses, and very desirable for rock work or hanging baskets. In beds sometimes one plant covers a yard square and is full of bloom. Best colors mixed. Pkt. 3c.

Acroclinium. Elegant summer flowering annuals, forming plants about one foot high, bearing quantities of large double flowers of white, rose, etc., 1 to 2 inches across. Splendid everlastings for winter bouquets. Mixed colors. Pkt. 3c.

Agrostemma. A very hardy plant introduced from Russia, suitable for border plants.

Coeli Rosa.--Perfectly hardy plants, producing pretty, pink-like blossoms on long slender stems. Very useful for cutting for bouquets, and pretty in masses in beds. Also known as Rose of Heaven. About 1-1/2 feet high. Deep rose color. Pkt. 3c. Alba.--White; fine for cemetery. Pkt. 5c.

Argemone. (Prickly Poppy.) Free blooming; flowers somewhat resemble the poppy. The foliage is large, pretty in form, and of a pleasant light green color. Mixed colors. Pkt. 3c.

Adlumia. (Mountain Fringe.) A beautiful hardy perennial vine, with fern-like foliage of a pale green color, with pretty flesh-colored blossoms. It is also called Alleghany Vine. Pkt. 10c.

Asperula. Azurea Setosa.--A hardy, dwarf growing, little annual producing an abundance of small, light blue, sweet-scented flowers. Fine for bouquets. Pkt. 5c.

Browallia. Elata.--Produces very delicate and handsome flowers in great abundance. Mixed. Pkt. 10c.

Balloon Vine. A very pretty, rapid growing climber, succeeding best in a warm situation. Pkt. 5c.

[Image: Drawing of a vine and three-legged trellis, closeup of a drooping branch with 4 blossoms, Caption-Adlumia.]

[Bottom, Right Column.] [Image: Drawing of a blooming plant, closeup of a single blossom, Caption-Ageratum.]

Ageratum. Mexicanum.-Very desirable for bouquets; produces a great many blue flowers, and blooms a long time; largely used by florists; start seed early. Pkt. 4c.

Albiflorum.--Like above, only white. Pkt. 5c.

Abutilon. A handsome greenhouse plant. Fine mixed. Pkt. 5c.

Adonis. Aestivalis.--Brilllant scarlet. Blossoms throughout the season. Foliage is graceful and feathery. Height 1 foot. Pkt. 3c.

Amobium. Alatum Grandiflorum.--Very hardy, everlasting with pretty, double, white flowers. Useful for bouquets. Pkt. 4c.

Anagallis. Low growing plants with remarkably bright, handsome flowers; mixed varieties. Pkt. 10c. Aquilegia. (Columbine.) Too much praise cannot be given to these elegant, free flowering, and deservedly popular hardy plants, blooming profusely through the spring into early summer. Hardy perennial. Mixed Varieties.--Pkt. 5c. White.--Blooms on Dceoration Day. Very desirable for cemetery. Pkt. 10c. Antirrhinum. (Snapdragon.) One of the most beautiful and useful border plants, blooming profusely the first season from seed, until after frost. Our mixtures contain all the new and choice colors, including the beautiful striped, variegated and margined. Tall Varieties Mixed.--Pkt. 4c. Tom Thumb.--A collection of the most beautiful, very dwarf varieties. Pkt. 5c. Arabis. Alpina. Among the earliest blooming plants, and very useful for rock work edgings, carpet bedding, etc. Flower pure white. Plant 9 inches high and a hardy perennial. Pkt. 10c. [Image: Drawing, closeup, cluster of blooms, Caption-Antirrhinum.]