39

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 37.

PENCILARIA.
This wonderful fodder plant has proved a great boon to farmers, especially in dry sections of the country where they have been delighted with it. When we first introduced Pencilaria to the farmers of this country there were many who looked incredulous at our statements of its wonderful productiveness, but still it created a great deal of interest and fully 75,000 farmers in all parts of the United States gave it a trial. In spite of the unfavorable season it proved wonderfully satisfactory and they evidently told their neighbors of it as there has been a great demand for the seed during the past three years, largely from those who had previously tested a small sample of it, and who say that they are satisfied that there is no plant in existence equal to it for quick growth, immense size and superior quality. The same report comes from all parts of the country except the extreme north, and even in the most northern states and Canada, there are many who like it. It is without parallel in productiveness. It does not do so well wet seasons, being particularly a dry, hot weather plant.

[image] PENCILARIA.

HISTORY. About thirty years ago a New York seedsman introduced to the farmers of the United States a plant known botanically as Penicillaria Spicata or Pennisetum Typhoideum, and renamed it Pearl Millet although it is not really a millet. It soon became popular in the south but could not be so successfully grown in the north. There are said to be eight varieties of this plant growing in Africa, and a more recent importation from there has proved much better for growing in the north. It is now so well acclimated that it yields a wonderfully large crop even in the northern states. A comparative test with the old Pearl Millet shows that Pencilaria is of stronger, more vigorous growth, stools out better, the leaves are broader and more succulent, it grows more vigorously after being cut, and many of our customers report having cut four to seven crops during the season. It also produces a good, profitable crop in sections where Pearl Millet is a failure.
DESCRIPTION. The seed is very small, about the size of a pin head, and it is really wonderful, that it should produce such an immense growth of foliage. When it first comes up it looks like grass, but very soon changes its appearance so that it more nearly resembles corn, growing very rapidly and having broad, succulent leaves. It stools out wonderfully, our customers reporting as high as 75 stalks grown from one seed. One of the most noted farmers and agricultural writers in the United States says that he cut the first crop on July 1st, 45 days after sowing the field. It was then 7 feet high and it weighed, green, thirty tons per acre, when dry gave six and one-half tons of hay per acre. The second growth was cut on August 14th when the plants were nine feet high and the crop weighed 55 tons per acre green, and 8 tons per acre dry. The third cutting was made Oct. 1st. It weighed 10 tons green and one and one-half tons dry, thus making a total crop of 95 tons green fodder and when dry made 16 tons of hay, all from one sowing of seed on one acre. If there is any other plant in existence that will afford such a yield we do not know what it is. Seed may be sown in drills 24 to 36 inches apart dropping 3 or 4 seeds to each foot of row. In this way one or two lbs. will plant an acre. Some of our customers sow broadcast 10 to 15 lbs. per acre. Do not sow until the soil is quite warm and do not cover deeply. Cattle, horses and hogs are very fond of the fodder either green or dry and we feed it on our place the year around. Per pkt. 5c, ¼ lb. 15c, lb. 35c, 3 lbs. $1.00 postpaid. By express per lb. 25c, 5 lbs. $1.00, 25 lbs. $3.75, 100 lbs. $13.50.

FIELD PEAS.
For northern states there is no crop of greater value than field peas, and none is more neglected, which can only be attributed to a lack of knowledge as to its merits as a fodder plant, being very rich in the elements that improve the muscle, bone and nervous system. Sow as early as ground can be worked using two bushels peas and two bushels oats per acre.
SCOTCH BEAUTY PEAS.--Best blue field peas. Will yield an immense crop of superior quality. Per peck 60c; bushel $2.00; two bushels or more @ $1.80.
WHITE CANADA PEAS.--More used than any other. Per peck 60c; bushel $2.00; two bushels or more @ $1.80.
WHIP-POOR-WILL COW PEAS.--The most highly valued plant in the south for fodder and reclaiming old or worn out land as it is a leguminous plant of special merit as a fertilizer. The vines when fed green make the best fodder and are very nourishing. The whip-poor-will is the most popular sort and yields a good crop of both fodder and peas. When ripened the ground peas make the best cattle fattener. Pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, by freight, pk. 85c, bu. $2.40; 2 bu. or more @ $2.25.
NEW ERA COW PEAS--Similar to above but much earlier and therefore more desirable for growing in the north. Pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c; by freight pk. 90c, bu. $2.75; 2 bu. or more @ $2.60.

[image] ARTICHOKES.

IDAHO COFFEE PEAS.--A new substitute for coffee, not at all resembling the German Coffee Berry. It is a native of Idaho, and has been grown largely in Colorado and elsewhere, producing immense crops at a low cost, one plant sometimes bearing as many as one thousand pods. When roasted and ground it has the flavor of coffee. Pkt. 5c, ¼ lb. 15c, lb. 40c, 3 lbs. $1.00.

THE VELVET BEAN.
Nature's great soil restorer. The Velvet Bean is a green manuring and forage plant that is creating a great sensation in the south. The vines grow to a length of ten to thirty feet and form a deep mass of nutritious fodder, and is said to make valuable hay. Plant 1½ pecks per acre in drills five feet apart. Per pkt. 15c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, postpaid; by exp. or frt. pk. $1.00, bu. $3.50.

MAMMOTH WHITE ARTICHOKE.
An improvement on the Jerusalem Artichokes. The greatest hog food known. These are attracting much attention owing to their great fattening properties, great productiveness (over 1000 bu. having been grown on one acre), and easy culture. They need not be dug in the fall; hogs should be turned on them, and will help themselves by rooting for them. One acre will keep 20 or 30 head of hogs in excellent condition from October until April except when ground is frozen solid. Plant in April or May, 3 to 5 bu. per acre. Lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c postpaid. By freight or express, pk. 40c, bu. $1.25, 5 bu. at [or] more @ $1.00.

IMPROVED PROLIFIC TREE BEANS.
Also called California Wonder. Undoubtedly the most prolific bean grown, and it will yield a larger crop under ordinary circumstances than any variety that we have ever seen. On our own farm it yielded a crop of forty-one bushels per acre. The beans are pure white, of small size, greatly resembling the "Navy." Per packet 5c, ½ pint 12c, quart 35c; by freight, peck $1.25, bushel $4.00.

IMPROVED NAVY, or BOSTON PEA BEANS.
A wonderful improvement over the old-time Navy bean and in every way superior to the Michigan pea bean. This variety makes a very desirable farm crop, especially in the far north. Per packet 5c, ½ pint 12c, quart 35c, postpaid; by freight, peck 90c, bushel $3.25; 2 bu. or more $3.00.

EARLY SOJA BEANS.
Also called Soy Beans or Coffee Berry.--During recent years this variety has been largely sold under the name of German Coffee Berry at extremely high prices, but we prefer to offer it under its correct name. The berries ripen in about three to four months from the time of planting and produce a crop of 20 to 40 bushels to the acre. When roasted and ground it closely resembles coffee and tastes similar. Some mix half and half with coffee when using and claim it is superior. Its great value to the farmer lies in the fact that when ground it makes one of the most valuable crops for feeding stock and adds very greatly to the milk production. The ordinary soja beans are too late to mature here, but this variety ripens in all the northern states. Plant in drills two or three feet apart and one foot between plants. Per packet 5c, lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight, peck $1.00, bushel (50 lbs.) $3.65.

TREE AND HEDGE SEEDS.
BY MAIL POSTPAID.
[table]
[column headings: Variety. Pkt. Oz. ¼ Lb. Lb.]
Apple. .05 .10. .30. .90.
Ash, White. .05 .10. .20. .60.
Box Elder. .05. .10 .20. .60.
Catalpa, Hardy. .05. .10. .25. .85.
Locust, Black. .05. .10. .25. .75.
Locust, Honey. .05. .10. $ .25. $ .75.
Mulberry, Russian. .10. .35. 1.00. 3.25.
Osage, Orange. .05. .10. .25. .75.
Tree of Heaven. .05. .10. .25. .75.

SEED SWEET POTATOES.
Our stock is grown, stored and handled especially for seed purposes and cannot fail to please all. Prices subject to market changes. We usually ship about April 12th to 20th. Circular telling how to grow sweet potato plants free. See page 23 for price of plants.
EARLY YELLOW JERSEY.--An improvement on the Yellow Nansemond. In spite of the many so called new varieties, all of which we have tested, Early Jersey holds the first place. The earliest and most productive; of large, short, chunky shape and of the very best quality. It will probably always remain the most popular market sort. Peck 50c, bushel $1.50, barrel $3.25. Ask for price in quantity.
WHITE SOUTHERN QUEEN.--These are the large "Yams" which are so popular in the south. Even the seed potatoes are monster size often weighing several pounds each. Peck 75c, bushel $2.00, barrel $4.25.
NEW GOLD COIN VINELESS.--A novelty of great merit which has become very popular. Instead of having long running vines it is of a dwarf bush-like growth, tubers yellow, medium to large size, quite productive. Peck 75c, bushel $2.25. Barrel $5.00.

[image]

RED JERSEY.--Similar in shape to our Early Yellow Jersey, but dark red color. The quality is excellent. Peck 75c, bushel $2.00, barrel $4.50.
Any of the above varieties by mail, postpaid, at 35c per lb.; 3 lbs. $1.00. Ask for price in quantity.

OUR NORTHERN GROWN SEED POTATOES WILL PLEASE YOU.