ENPages
2
Ellis T. Pierce, Pres't. M. Kurtzweil, Vice-Pres't.
Established 1871. Incorporated 1889.
M. L. Page, Sec'y. Chas. N. Page, Treas. and Gen'l Mgr.
Office of Iowa Seed Company, 903 and 905 Walnut Street.
Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 1st, 1890.
To our friends and customers: For twenty years we have made an annual visit to our customers through the medium of this catalogue, and on this anniversary we present you with the most complete and largest Seed Catalogue ever sent out by any seed firm in this State, and trust it will prove of value to you.
We thank you all for the liberal and continued patronage you have bestowed on us, and also or the many kind words we have received as to the high quality of our seeds, and we promise to continue our efforts to have our Choice Iowa Seeds just what we claim for them, the best in the world. We send out only just such seeds as we would be willing to plant ourselves. We do not make a "hobby" of any one kind of vegetables or flowers and neglect all others, but we make a specialty of everything we handle, and all have our careful attention.
We are seed-growers—not only growing for our own trade, but for many eastern seedsmen, who realize that Iowa is the garden spot of the United States for seed growing, and also thousands of pounds for export to Europe.
Des Moines is the metropolis of Iowa, having more railroads than any city west of Chicago, thus making our facilities for quick shipments unequalled. Our new store (see illustration on back cover) is the most conveniently arranged for prompt filling of all kinds and sizes of orders, of any seed store we know of in the west. We have this year incorporated our company with E. T. Peirce, who has for several years had charge of our Mail Order Department, as President, and M. Kurtzweil, the former superintendent of our seed farms, and the originator of several of our best novelties, as Vice-President. The general management of the business will remain with Chas. N. Page, the founder of the Iowa Seed Co., who has for many years been well known to most of our customers.
Suggestions To Customers.
Order Early—The best time to order is just as soon as you receive this catalogue, and we can always give your orders more of our personal attention if they come in before the rush of the spring trade. Please use the order sheet, as it makes it more convenient for us in filling orders. Terms are invariably cash with order, as we keep no book accounts in our mail order department, and the expense of sending goods C. O. D. is quite large.
Shipping Directions—In ordering please state whether it will be convenient for you to receive your goods by express, and if so, name your nearest express office, as all orders weighing two pounds and upwards will be forwarded by express if possible.
Charges Prepaid—All seeds and plants, except those noted, are sent prepaid by mail or express by the quickest and most direct route, unless ordered otherwise, and we guarantee their safe arrival.
Testing—All seeds are carefully tested, and nothing sent out which we do not believe to be good in every respect.
Our Prices—Our constant aim is to make the highest quality the first consideration, and next to put our prices as low as good reliable seeds can be sold. It is to your advantage to buy direct from the grower, as we know more of the freshness, the purity, and reliability of our seed than a dealer who buys all of his stock, and you can usually obtain lower prices from us on the same quality.
Discounts—On all orders for seeds in packets the purchaser may select thirty-five cents worth extra for each one dollar sent us.
For other discounts see heading of the respective classes of goods. Each year we put up thousands of packets of seeds for free distribution among our customers, by adding liberally of them to orders. We will allow you a discount of ten cents per pound on vegetable seeds if you are willing to have them sent by express or freight at your expense.
What we Guarantee—That all money sent us for seeds shall reach us if sent by registered etter, P. O. or express money order, or bank draft, made payable to our order. That your order will be filled promptly and well.
Notice—The importance of good seed cannot be overestimated, and we are certain that after a trial all our customers will agree that our seeds are the purest and best to be had. Still, when it is considered how many are the contingencies on which the success of any crop depends, our customers will readily see that it would be sheer folly for any one to warrant them to produce a perfect crop, and we want it distinctly understood that while we exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not give any warranty, express or implied. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and conditions, they are to be returned at once, and money that has been paid for same will be refunded. However, we have so much confidence in our seeds that we hereby agree to refill any retail order for vegetable or flower seeds free of charge should they prove otherwise than as we represent them.
We know of no responsible seed firm in the world who guarantees seeds any further than this. Compare with other seed catalogues and you will see that we are right.
Our Responsibility—As this book will probably go into the hands of many who are unacquainted with us, this question will naturally arise, and in answer to the same we respectfully refer you by permission to the Valley National Bank, of this city.
Respectfully soliciting your orders and correspondence, we remain,
Yours very truly,
Iowa Seed Company.
3
Novelties for 1890.
This list contains "the cream" of all the novelties for this season, as well as some varieties of recent introduction, to which we desire to call your special attention. As the introducers of so many varieties of sterling merit, which are now listed by many of the most prominent houses in the United States, we have only to say that we have exercised our usual strict care to offer only those varieties which have proven to be decided improvements on the older kinds. Being in correspondence with the leading seedsmen, seed-growers and horticulturists in this country and Europe, we receive samples of varieties claimed to be new from all over the world, and test their merits on our own grounds, many of which, while they may be of value in the climate in which they orignated, are not desirable here. We can recommend all the following varieties as improvements on the older sorts, and it will pay you to try them this year:
[images]
Henderson's New Bush Lima Bean.
A novelty of decided merit, introduced by an eastern seedsman last year, but we refused to catalogue it until we had given it a trial on our own grounds. This we have now done, and we find it worthy of all the high praise given it. The New Bush Lima grows without the aid of stakes or poles, in compact bush form, from fifteen to eighteen inches high, and produces enormous crops of delicious Lima Beans which can be as easily gathered as the common garden bush bean. The New Bush Lima is at least Two Weeks Earlier than any of the climbing Limas. It produces a continuous crop from the time it comes into bearing (it is fit for the table in this latitude by the middle of July) until frost, and being enormously productive, a very small patch will keep a family supplied with this splendid vegetable throughout the season. The quality is simply delicious, and we advise all of our customers to give it a trial. Per packet, 15 cts.; per pint, 50 cts.; qt., 90c, postpaid.
Mammoth Sandwich Island Salsify.
Why don't you grow Salsify? We are certain if you grew it one year you would never be without it, and especially after having tried this magnificent new variety, which averages fully double the size of the Long White. The roots, uotwithstanding [notwithstanding] their enormous size, are of very superior quality and very delicate in flavor; it is such a decided improvement that we are quite sure all market gardeners who once try it will use it exclusively. The Salsify is one of the most delicious and nutritious of vegetables, and should be more generally cultivated for use in winter, when the supply of really good vegetables is so limited. It has the true oyster flavor, and makes a delicious and inexpensive substitute for them in soups, etc. Per pkt., 10 cts.; oz., 20 cts.; 1/4 lb., 65 cts., lb., $2.
4
2
Specialties and Novelties for 1890.
[images]
Iowa Seed Co.'s New Garden Lemon.
Introduced by us last year, and it was highly praised wherever tried. A sample of this was sent us by one of our valued customers, and we have tested it three years on our Adair county and Polk county seed farms, and can recommend it highly. It resembles the Vine Peach in manner of growth, but is distinct in that the unripe fruit is striped with very dark green, nearly black, while the Vine Peach is plain green, and when ripe is not russeted like the Vine Peach. Fruit is of shape shown in our engraving, and is somewhat smaller than Vine Peach, has thinner flesh, and is most decidedly more acid, thus dispensing with the sliced lemons which are so important in putting up the Vine Peach. Cultivate like musk-melon, in hills three feet apart each way. Full directions for cooking in various manners accompany each packet. Don't fail to try it. Per pkt., 10 cts.; oz., 50 cts.
Vick's Early Scarlet Globe Radish.
A most excellent early Radish for garden culture. For hot-bed forcing there is no variety so desirable as the "Early Scarlet Globe." It is the earliest; its color is the handsomest; in flavor it is the mildest, most crisp, juicy and tender. It is the market gardener's favorite as a forcing Radish. It forms small top, and will stand a great amount of heat without becoming pithy. Per pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 15 cts., 1/4 lb., 35 cts.; lb., $1.00.
Dec. 3, 1889.--The Rosy Gem and White Strasburg Radishes which I received from you last Spring were the best I ever raised. Wm. Timmerman, Bowling Green, Fla.
Nov. 24.--During all my experienee as Market Gardener I never bought any seeds that proved as satisfactory as those I purchased of you last Spring. P. S. Vawter, McCune, Kansas.
Oct. 23.--Your seeds are the best. The Banana Musk-melons were the nicest I ever saw. Some of the Kolb Gem Watermelons weighed 50 pounds apiece. We are all pleased. Albert Davis, Hibbsville, Iowa.
Dec. 11. I bought a good many seeds from you last Spring, and they gave good satisfaction. The Market Gardener's Beet is all you claim for it. W. L. Kuykendall, Dunlap, Iowa.
lowa Seed Company's New Perpetual White Summer Radish
This variety, introduced by us, has given splendid satisfaction to all who tried it. Their shape is well illustrated by the accompanying engraving. They are pure white, of uniformly good quality, crisp and brittle, and they keep longer in a fit condition for the table than any variety we know of, hence their name, Perpetual White Summer. Can be sown any time of the year, and will always produce good Radishes fit for market earlier than the Chartier, and keep in perfect shape for marketing for about four weeks, or longer than that, for home use. Per pkt., 5 cts.; oz., 15 cts.; 1/4 lb.; 50 cts.; lb., $1.50.
Nov. 24.--I was well pleased with the seeds bought of you last Spring, and with your liberal dealing with me. The Table Guernsey Parsnip is a decided improvement over the old varieties. I grew some very fine Onions from your seed. L. O. Williams, Market Gardener, Council Bluffs, Iowa.
5
Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines Iowa. 3
New All Seasons Radish.
Free To Our Customers!
But Money Cannot Buy It! Other Seedsmen Can't Supply It!
Something entirely new--just obtained from China. The best novelty for 1890. It is of handsome shape, stump rooted, and ivory white in color. Equally good for spring, summer, fall or winter use. Exceedingly tender, crisp and delicious. Very desirable for either the market or home garden. We will give a packet of this elegant new Radish to each of our customers who asks for it when sending in their order. Order early, and don't fail to include this sterling novelty.
Instead of selling it to our customers at 15 cts. to 25 cts. per packet, as is usually done, we have decided to make our customers a present this year, which we are sure they will appreciate. It will be sent to customers of this year only, and only one packet to each, regardless of the size of their order. We think we have enough seed to go the rounds, so that all can try it, but be sure to order early. Is it not worth at least a small order to obtain such a valuable novelty, free?
[image]
New Kalamazoo Celery.
There is probably more celery shipped from Kalamazoo than any other town in the United States, and it has attained a high reputation in all large markets, owing to its handsome appearance, solidity, crisp eating and delicious flavor. It is perfectly distinct, and is of a beautiful cream white color throughout, attains a very large size, is of quick growth, stiff, close habit, while by reason of its neat growth and showy and handsome appearance it is a specially valuable variety for market. It is also a first-class keeper. For the use of hotels, restaurants and other large establishments, it is unequalled, there being scarcely any waste in dressing it for the table. It is sure to take the lead among the white varieties of Celery, and should be grown in every garden, large and small alike. Market gardeners, if you want a good thing do not fail to give the "Kalamazoo" a trial. Per pkt. 10 cts.; oz., 40 cts.
Dec. 6 1889.--The New Short-stem Drumhead Cabbage is very nice, finer than the Flat Dutch. Nearly every plant made a head.--J. B. Gorman, Elkhart, Ind.
April 17, 1889.--I received the plants in good good condition, and was more than pleased with them.--Mary F. Shields, Fayette, Mo.
May 16, 1889.--Received the plants of you this day, and am well pleased with them.--Mrs. G. G. Blau, Osceola, Neb.
Mammoth Muscatelle Tobacco.
A handsome new variety, originated in the private gardens of the Shah of Persia. One of the earliest varieties in existence, of remarkably strong and vigorous growth, attaining the height of 5 to 7 feet. The stalks are strong and heavy, thickly set with leaves, many of them measuring 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet in length, with proportionate width; in fact, some of them are almost large enough to cover the body of a fair-sized man. The leaves are unusually small-ribbed, very elastic, of finest possible texture, and when properly cured, of a light brown color; of the most delicious and mild flavor imaginable. Per pkt., 10 cts.; oz., 30 cts.; 1/4 lb., $1.