1882

Dorr's Iowa Seed Manual. ... 9

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Cress, or Peppergrass, (Extra Curled.)

A well known salad. Sow thickly and at intervals during the season; cover seed slightly; per packet 5 cents, oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c.

Cucumbers.

Cucumbers succeed best in a rich, loamy soil. For first early, sow in hot beds, upon pieces of sod or in small flower pots 6 weeks before they can be set out in open ground. A cheap substitute for flower pots when cucumbers are raised on a large scale, is to plant the seed in ordinary strawberry boxes, then set the boxes in the open ground instead of transplanting. By this method there is no danger of disturbing the young plants, and the boxes serve as protection against cut worms, until they rot away, which we have found an important item. When danger of frost is over transplant in hills 4 feet apart each way, For general crop, plant in open ground in May, about 12 seeds in a hill. When danger of bugs is past thin to 4 strong plants in a hill. For pickling, plant in June. Sprinkle vines with plaster or air-slacked lime to protect from bugs.

Per Packet, Five Cents.

[left column] Early White Spine—Our improved strain of this popular variety, is justly considered the best for general purposes. It is not, as some suspect from its name, a white cucumber, but is rather a bright green color. The spines, or prickles, only, being white. For pickles, this sort has no superior; excellent for table use; straight and well formed, smooth surface, thick flesh, great yielder; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Boston Market—Among the finest for table use and pickling: oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Early Cluster—Grows in clusters and extremely productive; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c. lb 1.00.

Early Frame or Short Green—One of the best; well-known; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c. lb 1.00.

Green Prolific—Eavorite [Favorite] ; oz 10, 1/4 lb 30. lb 1.00

[right column] Improved Long Green—Old standard sort; crisp, tender, good flavor; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Tailby's Hybrid—Large, smooth, exceedingly productive; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

London Long Green—One foo [foot] in length ;t flesh greenish white; oz 10c, [1/4] lb 30c, lb 1/4 1.00.

Gherkin, or Burr—For pickling only; oz 25c.

Boston or Jersey Pickle—Very popular among eastern pickle raisers; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Perfection Pickling—New, combines many good qualities for a pickling or table sort, claimed by the introducer, from whom we secured the seed, to be the best of all; oz 25c, 1/4 lb 80c.

Egg Plant. Sow early in hot beds. Transplant to open ground last of May, in rows 3 feet apart. [left column] Early Long Purple—Hardy and productive, 6 to 8 inches long; pkt 10c, oz 30c.

[right column] Improved New York—Extra large and choice; fine flavor; pkt 10c, oz 50c.

[full column] Endive, (Extra Curled). Sow early and thin; cover slightly[.] Soon as large enough, thin to 9 inches apart. When leaves are 8 inches long, tie them together near the top with string to blanch; this must be done when quite dry. Before cold weather, take up for winter, being careful to leave a small amount of dirt around the roots. Store in dry cellar, with plenty of fresh air, pkt 5c, oz 20c. 1/4 lb 60c.

Kale or Borecole. A very excellent member of the Cabbage family and should be more extensively cultivated. It is quite hardy and is improved by frost. Cultivate same as cabbage. For Winter sow in September and treat as Spinach.

[left column] Dwarf German Green—Best for winter greens; pkt 5c, oz 10c.

[right column] Tall Curled Scotch—Bright and green; beautifully curled 18 inches, pkt 5c, oz 10c.

[full column] Kohl Rabi, or Turnip-Rooted Cabbage.

An excellent vegetable intermediate between the Cabbage and Turnip. Sow in rows in May or June, 18 inches apart, thinning to 8 inches between the plants. Cook as turnips.

[left column] Early White Vienna—Flesh white and tender; best market sort; pkt 5c, oz 20c.

[right column] Early Purple Vienna—Differing from white only in color: pkt 5c, oz 20c.

10 ... Door's Iowa Seed Manual.

Leek The Leek is very hardy and easily cultivated. Sow early in Spring, either in the seed bed, to be trantplanted, [transplanted] or in the sites where they are intended to perfect their growth. As soon as the plants are 3 or 4 inches high, they may be hoed and trimmed 8 inches apart. Hoe the earth well up to the stalk to blanch it. In transplanting put them well down to cover the necks. London Flag-A hardy, strong growing variety; pkt 5c, oz 15c.

Lettuce Sow in hot-beds in March; open ground soon as can be worked. Transplant to rows 12 inches apart in very rich, pulverized soil. Or, for early plants, sow in September, and winter over in cold frames. For succession, plant every three weeks during the season. Thin out as it grows so that the plants left to head will stand 12 inches apart.

Per Packet, Five Cents. [Left column] Early Curled Silesia-Early; large, loose heads, excellent flavor; oz 15c, 1/4 lb 50c.

Early Curled Simpson-An improved variety of the preceding; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c.

Tennis Ball-One of the earliest heading varieties; being very compact and solid; very best for hot-bed culture; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c.

Ice Drumhead-Heads readily; blanches naturally; crisp, tender; oz 15c, 1/4 lb 50c.

Boston Curled-A variety of great beauty superior quality; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c.

Victoria Cabbage-Hardy and fine for early sowing; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c.

Improved Head, Imperial Head or Prize Head-Heads well; tender; slow running to seed; first class for summer; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c.

[Right column] Hanson's-Extra large and solid; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c. Curled India-Stands the heat well; very tender; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c. Paris White Cos-Tender, brittle, mild flavor; very superior quality; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c. Early Boston Market-One of the best for forcing oz 25c, 1/4 lb 75c. Philadelphia Butter-Extra fine; second early sort; oz 20c, 1/4 lb 60c. Premium Curled-Very fine variety for forcing; oz 25c, 1/4 lb 80c. Black Seeded Simpson-Much whiter and larger than the ordinary Simpson; resisting the heat excellently. It is rapidly growing in favor wherever used; oz 25c, 1/4 lb 75c.

Martynia (For Pickles). Plant in May in hills 4 feet apart. Pick when small. Preserve as cucumbers. pkt 10c. oz 30c.

Melon-Musk

Both the Musk and Watermelon thrive best in a warm rich, sandy loam. Thoroughly stir the soil. Plant 12 to 15 seeds in the hill, which make 6 feet apart. Work under the surface of the hills a liberal quantity of decomposed stable manure. When they begin to vine, thin out to four of the most thrifty. To grow melons very early pursue the same plan as recommended for Cucumbers. Per Packet, Five Cents, Except Where Noted.

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a large melon, Caption-Bay View.]

Skillman's Fine Netted-Flesh green, sugary and excellent quality; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Green Citron-Medium size, deeply netted; flesh green, delicious flavor; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Green Nutmeg-Fruit oval, good size, rich, Exquisite flavor; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. White Japan-Very early; thick flesh; sweet; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 35c, lb 1.25. Casaba-Large, very sweet and fine; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00.

Dorr's Iowa Seed Manual. ... 11

[Left column] Improved Cantelope-Large size, flesh light green; most delicious flavor; superior for market or private gardens; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00. Surprise - Thin, cream colored skin, thickly netted; flesh deep salmon color, very thick; fine; pkt 10c, oz 25c, 1/4 lb 75c. Turks Cap or Hackensack - Popular where known, deeply netted, green flesh, fine flavor; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 35. California Citron - Very large and showy, good quality, flesh deep orange: oz 10c, 1/4 lb 35c.

Ward's Nectar - Small size; very sweet and rich; green fleshed; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 35c. Bay View - Although but of recent introduction, it occupies an enviable position in the list of lusious melons. It is by far the finest flavored melon we ever ate, deliciously rich and sweet, large size, under ordinary treatment on good ground it averages from 12 to 18 inches and weighs from 12 to 20 lbs. Flesh very deep, rich green color; skin russet colored; very handsome and attractive in appearace; very firm when ripe and endures shipping well; pkt 10c, oz 25c, 1/4 lb 75c, lb 2.00.

Melon - Water Plant in hills 8 feet apart, and cultivate same as Muskmelon. Per Packet, Five Cents, Except Where Noted. [Left column] Mountain Sprout - Large size; oval; red fleshed; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Mountain Sweet - Oblong; rind thin; flesh red; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Phinney's Early - Flesh deep red; superior quality, early and productive; valuable market variety; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Black Spanish - Large size, almost round; skin dark green; flesh red; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Ice Cream - Medium size, almost round; white seed; flesh scarlet; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00 Orange - One of the sweetest; when ripe rind peals off like an orange; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 40c. Gipsey or Rattle Snake - Very large and productive; great favorite with gardeners; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 80c. Haskell's Excelsior - The very best market sort; flesh bright red; very superior quality; enormous size; frequently weighing over 40 lbs. Took first premium at our State Fair 2 years; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 35c, lb 1.25. Ferry's Peerless - Of unquestionable quality; medium size; thin rind; light mottled green; flesh bright scarlet; splendid; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c, lb 1.00. Apple Pie - Excellent substitute for apples, for making pies; oz 15c, 1/4 lb 50c. Citron - For preserves; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c.

[Right column] Chinese Sculptured Seeded - Flesh cream color; very early; delicious; seeds very curiously marked; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c. Golden Flesh - Flesh bright golden color, rich, sweet flavor; medium size; pkt 10c oz 25c. Cuban Queen - This magnificent new melon is certainly the largest and finest variety ever introduced, and was the admiration of all who saw it during the past season. The skin is light green, of the latter there being two shades agreeably diverisfied. The vines are very strong, healthy and vigorous in growth. The flesh is bright red, remarkably solid, peculiarly lusious [luscious], crisp and sugary, and in delicious flavor is unsurpassed. It is an excellent keeper, and although the rind is unusually thin, being scarcely more than half an inch thick on a melon of enormous size, will bear transit to distant markets well. Their great size, handsome appearance, thin rind, red flesh, and delicious taste are so captivating that they cannot fail to bring extra prices wherever put on sale. A letter now before us from a man who tried it the past season, says, "I now have a melon weighing 55 lbs. and have known of one being raised that weighed 91 lbs. it is certainly a magnificient novelty." Do not fail to give it a trial, you will be well repaid and greatly pleased; pkt 15c, oz 50c.

Mustard.. Sow early in shallow drills. [Left column] White English or London - pkt 5c, oz 10c, lb 50c. [Right column] Brown or Black - pkt 5c, oz 10c, lb 50c.

Nasturtium, or Indian Cress. The seeds, while young and succulent, are picked and used as capers. The plants are also highly ornimental [ornamental]; the tall variety makes an excellent screen or covering for unsightly places in the garden. Tall - pkt 5c, oz 15c. ... Dwarf - pkt 5c, oz 25c.

12 ... Dorr's Iowa Seed Manual.

Okra, or Gumbo (Dwarf White).

Its long pods, when young, are used in soups, stews, etc., and are beleived [believed] to be very nutritious. Sow at the usual time of all tender vegetables, in drills 2 inches deep, settlng the plants from 2 to 3 feet apart; pkt 5c, oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c.

New Improved Dwarf Okra-This is an improvement on the old Okra, and promises to be quite an acquisition. It grows but fourteen inches high, has long slender pods, and is very productive; pkt 25c, 5 pkts 1.00.

Onion. The Onion thrives best on very rich, loamy soil. Unlike most vegetables, it flourishes when cultivated on the same land for many successive years; If possible plow ground in the fall. Sow 4 pounds of seed per acre as early in Spring as ground can be worked, which must be thoroughly pulverized and leveled, in drills 15 inches apart; cover one-half inch. Commence hoeing soon as rows can be seen; skim the ground over the surface; avoid stirring deeply, and work the soil away from the bulbs. At second hoeing weed thoroughly and carefully by hand; thin plants to three inches in the row. When the tops die, pull and spread evenly over the ground; stir or turn until fully dried, then cut the tops one-half from the bulb. To keep the onions through Winter, a cool, dry, outside cellar, (those under dwellings being usually too warm,) or barn may be employed, any cool, (not freezing) dry, well ventilated room well [will] do. If in a barn, protect on all sides with two feet of good straw. Do not pile them in more than 10 inch layers between the straw. Freezing does not injure if not allowed to thaw and freeze again. To grow sets from seed, sow early and thick in drills, When tops die down (about middle of July) they are ready to harvest. For the cultivation of onions we know of no tools so useful as Comstock's Horticultural Implements and Planet, Jr., tools. Our seed is grown from bulbs selected for perfect shape and small necks. Prices are as low as first class, fresh seed can be sold at. We are aware of the importance of the onion crop, and pay special attention to this seed. Our customers are unanimous in their praise of our onion seed wherever grown, therefore it is unnecessary to say anything to them, but to new customers, we would respectfully say, Give Us a Trial Order.

Per Packet, Ten Cents. [Left column] Extra Early Red-Fortnight earlier than Wethersfield, little smaller; oz 50c, 1/4 lb 1.25, lb 4.50. Wethersfield Large Red-The staple variety of the Western onion growers, large size, deep red in color; excellent keeper; oz 50c, 1/4 lb 1.25, lb 4.50. Yellow Danvers-Mild flavored, early, hardy, good keeper; oz 40c, 1/4 lb 1.25, lb 4.50. Large Yellow Dutch or Strasburg-Rather flat, hardy, productive; oz 40c, 1/4 lb 1.10, lb 4.00. White Portugal or Silver Skin-Handsome, mild flavor; not extra good keeper; extensively grown for pickling; oz 40c, 1/4 lb 1.10, lb 4.00. Onion sets-See miscellaneous articles. [Right Column] New Queen-Very early, white, rather small, excellent keeper; oz 50c, 1/4 lb 1.50, lb 5.00. Giant Rocca-Very large, frequently weighing 3 1/2 lbs. Globular form; mild, delicate flavor; oz 50c, 1/4 lb 1.50, lb 5.00. Marzagole-Very handsome large silvery onions; extremely early; oz 40c, 1/4 lb 1.10, lb 4.00. Large Red Tripoli-Also very large and mild flavored; oz; 40c, 1/4 lb 1.10, lb 4.00. Large White Tripoli- Similar to the red except co1or; oz 40c, 1/4 lb 1.10, lb 4.00. Large White Globe-The handsomest market variety we have ever seen. Large size; oval form; very even; mild and pleasant flavor; good keeper; outsells exery [every] other variety; oz 60c, 1/4 lb 1.75, lb 6.00.

Parsley, (Covent Garden).

Sow in March, thinly in drills, one foot apart, half an inch deep. Soak seed a few hours in warm water before sowing. For Winter use protect in a glass frame or light cellar. pkt 5c, oz 10c, 1/4 lb 30c.

Dorr's Iowa Seed Manual. ... 13

[Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration, cross-section of carrot underground.]

Parsnips. Sow early in Spring, in drills 15 inches apart, covering half an inch. Thin to 5 to 6 inches apart in rows. They are improved by the frost, and it is usual to take up in the Fall a certain quantity for Winter, leaving the rest in the ground until Spring; in this latitude they need no protection if left in the ground.

Per Packet, Five Cents.

Long Sugar-Best for general use; very tender, sugary excellent flavored, large size, white and smooth; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c, lb 75c. Sutton's Student-A fine flavored variety; oz 10c, 1/4 lb 25c; lb 75c.

Peas. Peas mature quickest in light, dry soil, not too rich. May be sown as early as the ground can be worked, and for a succession every two weeks up to July, after which there is danger of mildew. Sow in drills 4 to 6 feet apart, according to varieties, 1 inch apart in the drills, not less than 4 inches deep, and late in the season 7 or 8 inches. Occasionally a good late crop can be obtained by sowing an early sort as late as the 20th of August. Wrinkled sorts are marked *. They should be sown thicker in the row than the smooth varieties, as they are more liable to rot. Twenty-five cents per quart must be added to pay postage when peas are ordered by mail. [Image: Drawing/Scratchboard illustration of a pea plant with full pods, Caption-Bliss's American Wonder.]

Earliest Varieties Per Packet, Ten Cents, Postpaid.

* Bliss's American Wonder-The earliest and most prolific dwarf, wrinkled pea, unsurpassed for early sowing. This new and fine-flavored variety is a seedling, the result of a cross between the two favorite varieties, Champion of England and Little Gem, raised by Mr. Chas. Arnold, the well-known Conadian [Canadian] agriculturist. It combines all the good qualities of both of its parents, with the additional ones of superiority in flavor to the Champion and of greater productiveness than the Little Gem, besides being earlier than any other of the wrinkled varieties. Peas planted June 5th were ready for the table in thiry-three days from date of planting. On good soil, each vine will average twelve pods, and each pod six peas, Fifteen pods have been counted on some vines, and nine large peas in some of the pods, and every pod is well filled. The vine grows from eight to ten inches high, according to the soil and season. Since 1878 it has been tested in various parts of the world, and has met with the unqualified appproval from all who have grown it. It has the highest endorsement from the most eminent agriculturists in the country. So great has been the de [Right Column] mand, since first introduced that it has been impossible to supply all applicants with even a small quantity. Our seed is genuine, do not fail to give it a trial; 1/4 p't 20c, p't 65c, q't 1.25; by mail, post-paid. When delivered at our store or sent by express at the expense of the purchaser; p't 55c, q't 1.00.

Extra Early Challenge-We have not only added one valuable new pea to our list, but several. The Challenge was obtained by continued selections from Extra Early Philadelphia, and we can in all conficence say that after a trial of nearly all Extra Early varieties offered to the trade, we have not found one possessing more merit, hence its name. For the Market Gardener it has no superior. It is not only extremely early and prolific, but is of the most luscious flavor. All the good qualities of the Extra Early are more nearly brought to perfection in the Challenge. Vines 18 inches. Per p't 35c, q't 60c, p'k 4.00, bush 15.00.

Carter's First Crop-Very productive; good flavor. Height 30 inches. Per q't 30c, p'k 2.00, bush. 7.00.