2

1902 ROSE COLLECTION.
SEE ILLUSTRATION ON FRONT COVER.
[page torn] these five varieties we may well call the cream of the list and every one should have at least [page torn] collection, price only 50 cents.
[page torn]AND'S FAVORITE (See illustration No. 1 on cover.)--When traveling in northern [word missing, page torn] last summer we were greatly impressed with this new rose. It is a very hardy, rap[page torn][climbing?] variety, the plants being well laden with flowers as shown by the branch in upper [page torn] the cover of this catalogue. The color of the flower is decidedly unique, [page torn] a beautiful golden yellow, shading to the center to a decided copper color or reddish [page torn] making a most rich combination of colors. It is a climbing tea rose of delightful fragrance [page torn] as well as lovely color and combines so many good points that we are sure that every [page torn] of roses will want several of them. We cannot say too much in its favor. Price 20 cents.
HALLOWE'EN. (No. 2 )-This charming new variety might well be called a striped Meteor Rose as it is of the same fine large size and perfect form as the Meteor, while the dark rich crimson color of each petal is freely and distinctly striped pure white and pink. The flowers are very double and bloom in endless profusion both in summer and winter. It is quite hardy and lives over winter in open ground with but slight protection. This is the only distinctly striped ever blooming rose that we know of. It is a great beauty, has sweet fragrance and creates a sensation wherever seen. Price 15 cents.
EMILIE GONIN. (No. 3.)-There was no rose at our place this year which attracted more attention than this grand new variety. It has a large sized tulip shaped flower, is exquisitely formed, perfectly double, of beautiful fragrance and of most charming variegated colors. The color of the rose is creamy white tinted with orange yellow at the base of petals, while the tips of the petals are reflected and broadly margined with bright carmine crimson. It is a profuse bloomer and strong healthy grower; seems impervious to all diseases, and should soon become prominent both as a pot plant and for bedding. Price 20 cents each.
SNOW FLAKE. (No. 4.)-This lovely white tea rose is the freest flowering white rose we have ever seen and for a pot plant it cannot be excelled. On one plant 143 flowers and buds were counted in a single day and the plant was only nine months old. Everyone should have one of these elegant free blooming roses as there is no white rose which is superior to it. Price 15 cents.
JUBILEE ROSE. (No. 5.)-During the past three years this has been the most prominent crimson hardy perpetual rose on the market. The only trouble has been to propagate sufficient to supply the demand. It is perfectly hardy and therefore a desirable variety for outdoor planting in all locations. It blooms in the fall as well as in the early summer, is of vigorous growth with large dark green foliage, short jointed, long flowering stems and branches freely. It blooms abundantly three flowers or more to each shoot, and is of ideal habit for a hardy garden rose. The flowers are of large size reaching six inches across under good cultivation, and still of such grace and finish that they are truly exquisite for wearing. The buds are long and rounded, the petals reflexing gracefully. The color is different from any other rose, being of the deepest shade of deep crimson red with a velvety maroon red in the depths of the petals unapproached by any other rose. Fragrance is strong, and in all points we are free to say that we know of no other rose equal to it. Price 15 cents.

[Illustration: Lady holding bouquet of flowers and holding one rose to her nose to smell] I LOVE ROSES. DONT' YOU?

The entire Collection of Five unequaled Roses for 50 cents.

ABOUT OURSELVES.
Almost every one in Iowa who uses seeds knows the Iowa Seed Company and our Choice Iowa Seeds are sown in every neighborhood in the state, but as this catalogue goes to many in all parts of the world who have not dealt with us, a few words about our business may help us to become better acquainted. This business was established in 1871- thirty-one years ago- and it has grown until now it occupies a very prominent place in the seed trade of the country.
The business has been under the same management for many years past, the present manager having been connected with the company for 25 years. During all this time we have been constantly in close touch with the farmers and gardeners and know what will prove the most satisfactory in the various localities. Success in the seed trade depends almost entirely on the confidence of the people, and our customers have learned that they can rely implicitly on us. What more can you ask? Please give us a trial order this year and test the superior merits of our Choice Iowa Seeds.

READ WHAT PROMINENT MEN SAY.
They are a proof of merit. Such testimonials cannot be bought. "I have bought seeds of you for several years past and have found them very satisfactory. I have used them on my own farm and also sold them to others and have had no complaints. Have also purchased some from other firms, but could not depend on them as on yours."--R. J. Johnson, Humboldt, Iowa, President Iowa State Agricultural Society.
"I am pleased to state that all seeds, both garden and field, that I have bought of your firm during the past twelve years have been perfectly satisfactory, and I am always pleased to recommend the Iowa Seed Company to any and all who are in need of anything in their line.--M. J. Wragg, Waukee, Iowa, President Iowa Horticultural Society.

MAIL ORDER BUILDING.
Our trade has increased so constantly that in 1900 we were compelled to look for larger quarters and we purchased the ground at 208, 210, 212 South Eighth St., about six blocks from the store and erected thereon a large building specially arranged to accommodate our rapidly growing trade. The railway tracks beside the building give us unexcelled facilities for handling carload lots, and we are centrally located between the various freight depots, so that small shipments can be made promptly. Our machinery is operated by four electric motors, and we claim that our mills for cleaning seeds cannot be surpassed. We can readily fill 3,000 to 4,000 orders per day, in this building, and they are handled in such a careful way that errors seldom occur. Most of our employees have been with us many years and appreciate the importance of each order, no matter wheth- [whether] small or large and no "green hands" are permitted to handle seeds in bulk.

[image] MAIL ORDER BUILDING.

[image] OUR RETAIL STORE--44x133 Feet

OUR STORE.
The Iowa Seed Store is so well known in Des Moines that it would be difficult to find even a child in this city of 75,000 inhabitants who does not know its location. It occupies the large building at 613-615 Locust Street, within three or four blocks of the post office, express offices, and principal railroad passenger stations. The large store room is full of interest to everyone who has a farm or garden, or who loves flowers, and the bird and gold-fish department always interest the children. Here are also located the offices and correspondence department. Here also we are glad to meet our customers from other towns.
OUR TELEPHONES.
Store and Office { Iowa Phone... No. 600.
Mutual Phone... No. 789.
Mail Order Dept. [Mutual Phone] No. 889.--2 rings.
Warehouse. [Mutual Phone] No. 889.--1 ring.
Greenhouses. [Mutual Phone] No. 793.--3 rings.
Managers Residence. [Mutual Phone] No. 736.

"All the seeds I purchased from you have given excellent satisfaction. The seed of Bromus Inermis grass came up nicely and furnished fine pasture, my cattle seemed to like this grass better than any other grass I had in my pasture. The severe drought this summer did not seem to hurt the bromus any, it remained nice and green in spite of the intense heat."--August Becker, L.-P.- Iowa.

FOREIGN ORDERS.
Our trade with European countries, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies and other foreign countries, is increasing constantly, and while it is still somewhat expensive and slow to send large shipments by freight, small lots can be sent by mail quite easily. We are willing to prepay the postage on all vegetable and flower seeds offered by the packet or ounce, at the prices named in this catalogue, to Canada, Mexico, all parts of Europe, and all countries of the Postal Union. Not more than 12 ounces can be sent in each package.

OUR GREENHOUSES.
About three and one-half miles west of the store, located on West Grand Avenue, are fifteen large green houses, built, owned and operated by the Iowa Seed Company. These houses are devoted exclusively to the mail order trade, and they contain a greater variety of plants than any other greenhouse in the west. Many hundred plant orders are filled daily during the busy season, all small plant orders being mailed direct from the branch postoffice nearby.

[image] OUR GREENHOUSES AT WALNUT HILL.