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2. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] SEED TESTING AND TRIALS.

VEGETABLE SEEDS.
Our stock of vegetable seeds we are sure cannot be excelled either in quality or selection by any firm in the country, as we watch our growing crops with great care, taking pains to isolate and keep pure and true to name. Every variety listed is desirable and has our recommendation. Our packets are, we believe, as well filled as any reliable seed dealer's in the United States, and in fact, a comparison has shown that they contain more seed on the average, than those of any other firm whose packets we have secured. We pay the postage at these prices, except on Beans, Peas and Corn at the peck or bushel rates.
We make it a rule to carefully test all seeds as soon as received from the grower, or as soon as they are brought in from our seed farms. We also carry on extensive trials on our grounds by which we are enabled to offer only those strains of seeds which come up to the standard of purity and excellence, and are of the highest vitality, and the result is that we very rarely have complaints as our Choice Iowa Seeds are sure to please.

A CHOICE LIST OF THE BEST NOVELTIES ARE DESCRIBED ON THE COLORED PAGES IN THE CENTER OF THIS BOOK.

[image] LARGE GREEN GLOBE ARTICHOKE.

ASPARAGUS.
One ounce will sow forty feet of drill.
Asparagus is so easily grown and such a large quantity is produced on a small amount of ground that every garden should contain a bed. A bed ten feet square requiring 50 plants will give an abundant supply for any ordinary family. Soak the seed 14 hours in tepid water; sow early in spring, in rows a foot apart; keep clean by frequent weeding and hoeing. Ask for circular giving instructions for making an asparagus bed.
COLUMBIAN MAMMOTH WHITE.--A new and entirely distinct variety, that produces shoots which are white and stay white as long as fit for use. It is more robust and vigorous in habit, and throws up larger shoots and fully as many of them as Conover's Colossal, and requires no earthing up in order to furnish the white shoots so much sought after. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
PALMETTO.--Stalks frequently measure two inches in diameter, and, even when twelve inches long, are perfectly tender when cooked. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
CONOVER'S COLOSSAL.--The standard variety. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 15c, lb. 40c.
ASPARAGUS ROOTS.--We can furnish strong roots of either the Palmetto or Conover's Colossal at 35c per dozen; $1.25 per 100. Columbian Mammoth White 40c per dozen; $1.50 per 100 postpaid. Ask for price in quantity.

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ARTICHOKE.
This vegetable is a great delicacy, highly valued in all parts of Europe, and also one of their most prominent table vegetables in California and other parts of this country. It is a perennial producing the large flower heads, which are the part eaten, the second season and every year thereafter. The young stalks are also sometimes tied and blanched like celery, but they are not equal to the flower heads. Cook like asparagus and serve with cream or butter sauce. Sow seed early in hot-beds or box in the house, and when weather becomes settled transplant in rows four feet apart and two feet in the row. When started early it sometimes blooms the first year.
LARGE GREEN GLOBE.--The best variety for general use; buds large; scales green; very thick and fleshy. Pkt. 10c, oz. 35c, 1/4 lb. $1.00.
ARTICHOKE ROOTS.--These are an entirely different plant from the above and used mainly for stock food. See description in Farm Seed Department. Per lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight pk. 40c, bu. $1.25.

BORECOLE, or KALE.
One ounce will produce about 3000 plants.
A hardier vegetable than cabbage; excellent for greens during winter and spring; splendid winter food for poultry. Is improved by frost. Cultivate same as cabbage. For winter, sow in September, and treat as Spinach, giving it a light covering of straw or litter to protect from severe cold.

[image] CHAMPION MAMMOTH WHITE ASPARAGUS

EXTRA CURLED MOSBACH.--Fine crimped leaves; light green color; admirable for garnishing. Best for cooking. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 40c, lb. $1.25.
DWARF GERMAN GREEN.--Popular. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
THOUSAND HEADED.--Grown mainly for forage. See description elsewhere. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c.

BROCCOLI.
One ounce will produce about 3000 plants.
Growth and habit like the Cauliflower, except that it is more hardy, and the heads are not as compact. Cultivate the same as Cauliflower.
EARLY PURPLE CAPE.--A popular sort; heads well and is very hardy. Pkt. 5c, oz. 35c.
EARLY LARGE WHITE.--Pkt. 5c, oz. 25c.

CORN SALAD.
One ounce will sow about 20 square feet.
A nice winter salad. Sow in September in drills. Just before cold weather cover with straw or leaves. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS.
One ounce will produce about 3000 plants.
Of the cabbage family, producing numerous heads on the stem of most delicious quality, as well as a cabbage-like head at the top. If you have never grown it, try it this year and you will be pleased. Use and cultivation same as winter cabbage.
AMERICAN MAMMOTH.--A new and greatly superior variety of American growth which forms heads ready for picking about three weeks earlier than other varieties. It has the additional merit of making stronger plants and more heads. A profitable crop for market gardeners. Pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00.
ENGLISH.--Pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c.

CURLED CHERVIL.
An ounce will sow 100 feet of drill.
Leaves used in soups and salads. They have a pleasant aromatic taste which is greatly liked. Cultivate like parsley. Pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 40c.

GERMAN CATALOGUE.--Please ask for a copy of our German Seed Catalogue, if you can read that language more readily than English.

[image] EXTRA CURLED MOSBACH KALE.

SET OUT A BED OF ASPARAGUS THIS YEAR AND HAVE IT FRESH DAILY.