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IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 23.

RARE, CURIOUS AND VALUABLE VEGETABLES.

[image] VINE PEACH

Vine Peach.- A splendid novelty which was introduced by us. The vine on which they are borne is somewhat similar to the musk melon vine, and requires the same cultivation. The fruit is about the size of a large peach, oval shaped, and of a bright orange-yellow color, somewhat russeted. For sweet pickles, pies or preserving, they are superb. Receipts for preparing them for the table will be sent with each order. In the west and northwest, where fruit is scarce, they are becoming popular, as they are easily cultivated, wonderfully prolific, and can be used in every way in which you would use a peach except that they are not usually liked raw. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c.

Garden Lemon.- Introduced by us and it has been highly praised. It resembles the Vine Peach in manner of growth. Fruit is of the shape shown in our engraving, is somewhat smaller than Vine Peach, has thinner flesh, and is decidedly more acid, thus dispensing with the sliced lemons which are so important in putting up the Vine Peach. Directions for cooking with each packet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c.

[image] GARDEN LEMON

Ornamental Pomegranate.- A very interesting and ornamental little fruit which a century ago was commonly grown in the gardens but is now rarely seen. Grows on a pretty vine; fruit is round, of a bright yellow, irregularly striped with orange, red or mahogany; very fragrant; a single specimen will sweetly perfume a room for many days. Prolific and easily grown. It is often called Queen Anne's Pocket Melon. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.

Ornamental Mice.- The vegetable curiosity which has attracted so much attention. It is a native of Central Africa, having a small, neat growing vine and bears numerous oval fruits, clear green in color, two and a half to three inches long, which are always completely covered with long, light green spines or hair. It will be found useful for covering a sloping bank or rockery and will produce great numbers of curious fruits. Pkt. 10c.

Caterpillars.- Prostrate creeping plants with small yellow flowers, changing into "Vegetable Caterpillars." They are grown as curiosities, and sometimes, as a harmless practical joke, are put into the salads for the purpose of startling those who are unacquainted with them. Pkt. 5c.

[image] POMEGRANATE.

Snails.- Another singular variety having most oddly twisted seed-pods resembling snails. Children are much amused with these curious vegetables. Per pkt. 5c.

Alpine Strawberries.- Have a peculiar rich flavor, superior to our native sorts. Perfectly hardy and easily grown from seed. Per pkt. 10c.

Egyptian Lentils.- Largely used in Oriental countries as a principal article of diet. It was from these that the dish of pottage was made for which Esau sold his birthright to Jacob in Bible times, and many will be interested in them for that reason. Cultivate like peas. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. 75c.

[image]

Herbs.
In making up your assortment of seeds for the year don't neglect to order a few varieties of herbs. They should have a place in every vegetable garden. Sow seed in shallow drills one foot apart, and when up thin out and transplant to a few inches apart. The chief point is to harvest them properly, which should be done on a dry day when not quite in full bloom, then dried quickly and packed closely, and entirely excluded from the air.

All Five Cents Per Packet.
Anise... Oz. 10c.
Balm... Oz. 30c.
Broad Leaved Thyme... Oz. 30c.
Borage... Oz. 15c.
Caraway... Oz. 10c.
Coriander... Oz. 10c.
Catnip... Oz. 50c.
Caster Oil Plant... Oz. 10c.
Chamomile... Oz. $1.50.
Dill... Oz. 15c.
Dandelion... Oz. 30c.
Fennel... Oz. 15c.
Hyssop... Oz. 30c.
Horehound... Oz. 30c.
Lavender... Oz. 25c.
Opium Poppy... Oz. 30c.
Rosemary... Oz. 45c.
Rue... Oz. 30c.
Saffron... Oz. 15c.
Sweel Basil... Oz. 20c.
Sweet Marjoram... Oz. 30c.
Sage... Oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.
Tansy... Oz. 50c.
Wormwood... Oz. 30c.
Summer Savory... Oz. 25c.
Mixed Varieties.- A mixture of all the above. Nice garden assortment. Oz. 25c.

What Our Customers Say.
Your seeds have given good satisfaction around here.- Mrs. Geo. Brown, Dixon, O.
I got seed from you last year and they were just splendid.- Emily Dibbles, Barron, Wisconsin.
I was very much pleased with the seed received from you last year and consider them the best I ever used.- Mrs. J. N. Bugh, Hughesvilles, Pa.
We have used your seeds for several years and they give good satisfaction.- Mrs. J. L. Swearingen, Killduff, Iowa.

Chinese Tea.- We are sure that many of our customers will be glad to grow this as a curiosity, if nothing else. The plant is of a shrubby nature with beautiful shiny foliage and fragrant blossoms, requiring the same treatment as any tender shrub. Can be kept growing in pots through the winter. About 10,000 lbs. of tea per year is grown by one man in South Carolina. Pkt. 10c.

Cotton.- This is grown as a curiosity in the north, and, if it is started early in the house, plants will be loaded with cotton balls in autumn. It is an ornamental plant, the bloom is pretty, and plant with ripe cotton on attracts much attention. Pkt. 5c, oz. 15c.

Mougri.
A wonderful vegetable from the Island of Java, which is greatly liked by the natives. It is a great curiosity and if once seen it will never be forgotten. The plant grows to a height of 18 to 20 inches, but the great oddity of it is that the pods are very long, sometimes two or three feet, much longer in fact than the plant is high. The plant is of easiest culture. Seed may be sown early and transplanted when well started, two or three feet apart each way. Resembles radish when growing. The pods are solid, crisp and tender, some say they taste "just like radish," other epicures insist that in flavor they more nearly resemble the water cress. The flavor is most agreeable and when half grown they can be eaten on the table in the same way as roots of the common radish. In salads they will be highly esteemed and they make a good pickle. It is, however, when the pods are boiled that they are most delicious eating, like asparagus, and having a very delicate flavor. Per pkt. of 25 seeds 10c.

Complete Garden Collection.
A Bargain in Seeds.
38 Varieties for $1.00.
All Good Desirable Sorts. Sure to Please You.
Improved Golden Wax Beans.
Old Homestead Pole Beans.
Crosby's Egyptian Beet.
Henderson's Snowball Cauliflower.
Washington Wakefield Cabbage.
Shortstem Drumhead Cabbage.
Oxheart Carrot.
Golden Self Blanching Celery.
Early Sunrise Corn.
Country Gentleman Corn.
Extra Curled Cress.
Japanese Climbing Cucumber.
Perfect White Spine Cucumber.
Improved Ground Cherry.
American Mammoth Brussels Sprouts.
Page's Striped Rice Pop Corn.
Iceberg Lettuce.
Improved Hanson Lettuce.

Improved Green Nutmeg Musk Melon.
Duke Jones Watermelon.
Large Red Wethersfield Onion.
Mammoth Prizetaker Onion.
Nott's Excelsior Peas.
Non Plus Ultra Radish.
Improved Chartier Radish.
White Strasburg Radish.
Improved Table Guernsey Parsnip.
Ruby King Pepper.
Sibley Squash.
Long Standing Spinach.
Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify.
Market Gardeners' Parsley.
Early Minnesota Tomato.
Matchless Tomato.
White Egg Turnip.
Purple Top Strap Leaf Turnip.
Monarch Ruta Baga.
Vine Peach.

Total 38 full sized packets sent postpaid for $1.00; at regular catalogue price they amount to $2.20.