1890

44. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[continued from previous page] the best keepers. Always brings a good price in the market; per lb. 65c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Cow Horn--New, delicate flavor, rapid grower, pure white, tinged with green at the crown; per lb. $1.00; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. 5. Large White Norfolk--A good field variety; per lb. 40c; 1/4 lb. 15c; oz. 5c; 5 pounds or more, not prepaid, at 25c per pound. Large White Globe--Fine for field culture, very productive; lb. 50c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Yellow Aberdeen--Excellent for cattle feeding; per lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Seven Top--The hardiest of all sorts. Grown principally for the tops which are much liked for greens; per lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c... 5.

SWEDES OR RUTA-BAGA TURNIPS. Ruta-Bagas should be sown not later than June, in drills two feet apart, and thin out to eight inches in the rows. WHITE SWEET GERMAN--Large size, oval form and very solid, flesh pure white and sweet. This is the best keeping variety that we have found; have been known to keep in perfect condition through winter and until July. Per lb. 65c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c... 5. Carter's Improved Hardy Swede--Large size, excellent quality and an immense yielder. Many seedsmen rank this as the best of the Swede Turnips; lb. 50c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Skirving's Purple Top--Per lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5.

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IMPROVED AMERICAN--This is the leading yellow fleshed variety, very solid, fine quality, valuable for the table and feeding stock. (See cut.) Per lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10c... 5. English Rape--Not a Ruta-Baga, although closely allied, cultivated for its tops, which are valuable for feeding stock; it forms no bulb; per lb. 50c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5.

HERBS. In making up your assortment of seeds for the year, don't neglect to order a few varieties of Herbs. They should have a place in every vegetable garden. Sow seed in spring in shallow drills, one foot apart, and when up, thin out and transplant to a few inches apart. The chief point is to harvest them properly, which should be done on a dry day, when not quite in full bloom, then dried quickly and packed closely, and entirely excluded from the air. The following are the varieties most cultivated:

[table] [column headings: Pkt. Oz.] Anise. 5. 10. Balm. 5. 30. Basil, Sweet. 5. 20. Borage. 5. 15. Caraway. 5. 10. Catnip. 10. 50. Castor Oil Plant. 5. 10. Coriander. 5. 10. Dill. 5. 15. Fennel. 5. 15. Horehound. 5. 30. Hyssop. 5. 30. Lavender. 5. 25. Majoram, Sweet. 5. 30. Opium Poppy. 5. 30. Rosemary. 10. 45. Rue. 5. 30. Saffron. 5. 15. Sage. Per lb. $1.60; 1/4 lb. 50c. 5. 20. Savory, Summer. 5. 20. Thyme, Broad-Leaved. 5. 40. Tansy. 10. 50. Wormwood. 5. 30. Mixed Varieties--A mixture of all the above kinds, and will give a nice garden assortment. 5. 25.

BEANS, CORN AND PEAS IN BULK. These low prices are for purchasers of large lots, they to pay freight or express charges. One half bushel will be sold at bushel rates and one half peck at peck rates.

BEANS--Dwarf Varieties. [table] [column headings: Pk. Bu.] Early Mohawk. 1.00. 3.50. Early China Red Eye. 1.00. 3.50. Refugee or Thousand to One. 1.10. 3.75. Dwarf Horticultural. 1.25. 4.25. Cleveland's Improved Valentine. 1.10. 3.80. Large White Marrow. 90. 3.00. Golden Wax. 1.50. 5.00. Black Wax. 1.40. 4.60. White Wax. 1.45. 4.80. California Branch or Tree. 1.10. 3.70. BEANS--Pole Varieties. Large Lima. 1.50. 5.50. Extra Early Jersey Lima. 2.00. 7.00. Horticultural Pole. 1.75. 6.00. White Dutch Case Knife. 1.40. 4.75. King of the Garden Lima. 1.75. 6.50. CORN--Garden Varieties. Extra Early Cory. .75. 2.25 Early Des Moines. 1.00. 3.50. Early Minnesota. .65. 2.00. Crosby's Early. .65. 2.00. Perry's Hybrid. 1.00. 3.00. Moore's Concord. .65. 2.00. Egyptian. .75. 2.25. Stowell's Improved Evergreen. .60. 1.75. New Gold Coin. 2.75. 9.50. Mammoth Sweet. .90. 2.65. Black Mexican. 1.00. 3.25. Fodder Corn (sweet). .50. 1.50.

Remember that $1.00 pays for seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35, and to deduct 10 cents per lb. if you have seeds sent at your expense.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 45.

[table] [column headings: Pk. Bu.] POP CORN. Page's New Striped Rice. 1.75. 5.50. Fine White Rice. 1.40. 4.75. Monarch White Rice. 1.50. 5.00. Queen's Golden. 1.50. 5.00. PEAS. Iowa's Extra Early Challenge. 1.40. 5.00. Cleveland's Alaska (new). 1.25. 4.75. First and Best. 1.15. 4.00. Rural New Yorker. 1.15. 4.00. Bliss' American Wonder. 1.75. 6.00. Carter's First Crop. .90. 3.00. Laxton's Alpha. 1.40. 5.00. Tom Thumb. 1.50. 5.50. Philadelphia Early Extra. 1.00. 3.50. McLean's Little Gem. 1.40. 4.75. Premium Gem. 1.50. 5.00. Kentish Invicta. 1.15. 4.00. McLean's Blue Peter. 1.50. 5.50. Early Kent, or Dan'l O'Rourke. .90. 3.00. Bliss' Abundance. 1.40. 5.00. Bliss' Everbearing. 1.50. 5.25. Improved Advancer. 1.35. 4.50. Yorkshire Hero. 1.25. 4.25. Dwarf White Marrow. .90. 3.00. Champion of Engand. 1.25. 4.25. Stratagem. 1.75. 6.25. Large White Marrow. .75. 2.50. Black Eyed Marrow. .75. 2.50. Dwarf Sugar (edible pods). 2.00. 7.25. White Field. .65. 1.75. Blue Field. .65. 1.75.

Vegetable Plants and Roots Well Grown and Lightly Packed to Carry Long Distances. The fact that these plants are all grown under our direction from the choicest stocks of seeds from our store is sufficient recommendation as to the genuineness of the varieties. They can be shipped fresh, well-packed at the beds on a day's notice. Plants quoted "By Mail," are sent at our expense; "By Express," at the purchaser's. By our system of packing they are sure to arrive in good condition when shipped to any part of the United States. No charge for either packing or boxes. Plants from hot-bed or cold frame are ready during April and May. Out-door grown, during June and until the middle of July. (Prices for large quantities of any of these Plants or Roots will be given on application.)

CABBAGE PLANTS--Early Varieties--Extra Early Express, Jersey Wakefield, and Henderson's Early Summer--by mail 100, 75c; by express, 100, 50c; 1,000, $3.50. Late Varieties--Chase's Excelsior, Premium Flat Dutch, Short Stem Drumhead and Red Pickling--by mail, 100, 75c; by express, 100, 40c; 1,000, $2.00. Cauliflower Plants--Snowball and Erfurt--By mail, doz., 20c; 100, $1.25; by express, 100, $1; 1,000, $6. Celery Plants--Henderson's Half Dwarf, Golden Dwarf, White Plume, and Golden Self Blanching--By mail, doz., 20c; 100, $1; by express, 100, 75c; 1,000, $5. We can furnish any of the above celery plants after June 20th, @ 50 cts. per 100, or $3.00 per 1,000. Egg Plants--New York Improved--by mail doz., 25c; by express, 100, $1.00. Pepper Plants--Ruby King and Red Cayenne--by mail, doz., 25c; 100, $1.25; by express, per 100 $1. Tomato Plants--Acme, Perfection Beauty, Trophy and Dwarf Champion--By mail, per doz. 25c; 100, $1.00; by express, per 100, 75c; 1,000, $4.00. After about June 1st, we can furnish untransplanted tomato plants @ 50c. per 100, $3.25 per 1,000. Sweet Potato Plants--We make a specialty of supplying first-class Sweet Potatoes and Sweet Potato Plants, and we take great pains to send out only such as are strong, vigorous, well-rooted and hardy. (Ready about May 1st.) Price by mail, 100, 75c; 300, $2; by express, per 100, 35c; 1,000, $2.00.

Jerusalem Artichoke--Is really a tuberous-rooted hardy Sunflower, the tubers of which have the true Artichoke flavor and taste and are esteemed in the raw state for pickling or as a salad. Plant the tubers two or three inches deep, nine to twelve inches apart in three foot rows. Pigs turned into a patch of Artichokes will hunt up every tuber and they are the best hog food known. 1,000 bushels have been grown on an acre. Per lb. by mail, 30c; by express per pk. 85c, bu. $2.50. ASPARAGUS ROOTS--For directions for planting, etc., see Asparagus seeds. --Conover's Colossal--1-year-old roots, 100, 60c; 1,000, $3.50. Two-year-old roots, 100, 75c; 1,000, $5.00. Above prices by express. If to be mailed, add 20c per 100 for one-year-olds, and 30c per 100 for two-year-olds. GARLIC SETS--Plant early in the spring, in rows one foot apart and three inches apart in the row. Cultivate like onions; per lb. 35c, postpaid, or 25c if by express. HORSE RADISH SETS--Plant at any time during spring, in rows two feet apart and about eighteen inches apart in the rows. By mail, per doz., 35c; by express, per 100, 75c; per 1,000, $6.00. RHUBARB ROOTS--These may be planted early in the spring or in the fall, setting the roots three feet apart each way. It requires but little labor to plant, and when once planted in good rich soil it will remain in bearing condition several years. By express, each, 20c; doz. $1.50; 100, $10.

Sept. 11, 1889. The seeds I received from you gave good satisfaction. WM. TRUE, Mason City, Iowa.

FLOWER SEEDS.

Our Floral Beauties comes in for their full share of attention and in fact we have this year given them more time and space than ever before on our grounds. We have in our employ an experienced specialist in this line who, under our supervision, attends to growing whatever can be grown to advantage in this country, tests all novelties offered in this country or Europe, and is constantly striving, by selection and hybridization, to improve the leading varieties, and make our CHOICE IOWA FLOWER SEEDS just what we are striving for--the BEST IN THE WORLD. All who truly love the beautiful, and prize all things new and valuable in the Floral Kingdom, will be interested in the following pages, and also in looking over the varieties named in our novelty list. Our Flower Seeds are all fresh, and we know they are unsurpassed. Quality is always the first consideration. Our mixtures are mainly made up by ourselves from named varieties, or from growing a large number of the best named varieties together, and will be found to yield a better variety than is commonly found. We aim to sell seeds at five cents per packet in every case where it is possible to give a satisfactory quantity for that price. To insure success, the conditions and requirements of the several species as to soil, moisture, heat, light, etc., should be studied and then observed in culture. Below we give a few general directions for their culture, though more complete directions will be found printed on most of the seed packets. The soil best adapted to most flowers is light, rich loam, containing enough sand to make it porous. If there is some clay with it the colors will be brighter. Make the surface as smooth and fine as possible, sow seed in rows, covering each sort of seed in proportion to its size (a good general rule being to cover twice the diameter of the seed) and press the soil down firmly over it. Do not plant any seeds when the ground is wet. Many varieties should be sown early in shallow boxes in the house, in soil consisting of equal parts of fine sand and rich mellow loam, well mixed together and sifted, to remove all gravel and lumps. Sow as before directed. Covering the box with glass helps to retain the moisture and keeps the temperature even. Be careful not to keep them too wet, and as soon as they are large enough to handle, transplant into boxes, from one to two inches apart, where they are to remain until time to transplant to permanent beds. We will always be glad to answer any questions from our customers, relative to the cultivation of any kinds of plants. ALL FLOWER SEEDS ARE SENT FREE BY MAIL ON RECEIPT OF PRICE, and as an inducement to the formation of clubs, and to those who buy a quantity, we will send seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35 for $1, or $2.75 for $2.

ANNUALS. To the Annuals we are indebted mainly for our brightest and best flowers, which gladden the hearts and cheer and brighten the lives of all. Under this heading we include not only true Annuals--that is, those plants which grow from seed, blossom and die the same season--but also some Biennials and Perennials, such as Pansies and Daisies, that flower the first season, and then live on for a year or more. The figures at the right hand of the column show the price of seeds per packet, postpaid.

[left column] Abronia--Trailing habit, similar to Verbenas, bearing clusters of sweet-scented flowers. Effective for bedding in masses: --Umbellata--Rosy lilac... 5. --Grandiflora--Pure rose... 5. Adonis Aestivalis--Brilliant scarlet, blossoms throughout the season, succeeds well in the shade... 5. Ageratum--Very desirable for bouquets; a profuse bloomer throughout the season. Mexicanum--Blue... 5. --Albiflorum--White... 5. Asperula Azurea Setosa--A hardy, dwarf-growing little annual, producing an abundance of small, light blue, sweet-scented flowers; fine for bouquets.... 5.

[right column] Antirrhinum--(Snap Dragon)--Those who [image] have cultivated only the old fashioned, faded Snap-dragons, have no idea how bright and beautiful these new and improved varieties are. They are easily raised from seeds, make a gorgeous bed on the lawn, and if freely cut, they bloom incessantly throughout the season. If severly cut back early in autumn, the plants will endure the winter, and bloom well the following season. Our mixtures contain all the new and choice colors, including the beautifully striped, variegated and margined.

Remember that $1.00 pays for seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35, and to deduct 10 cents per lb. if you have seeds sent at your expense.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 47

[left column] --Nanum--Dwarf varieties, mixed... 5. --Majus--Tall varieties, mixed... 5. --Tom Thumb--A collection of the most beautiful, very dwarf varieties, mixed colors... 10. Argemone--(Prickly Poppy)--Free-blooming; flowers somewhat resemble the Poppy. The foliage is large, pretty in form, and of a pleasant light green color. --Grandiflora--White petals, yellow stamens; four inches in diameter... 5. --Dark Yellow--Very pretty... 5. Agrostemma--Hardy, free-blooming, making handsome beds, and very useful for cutting: (See cut.)

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--Coeli Rosa--Deep rose color... 5. --Alba--White... 5. Alyssum, Sweet--The delicate fragrance of this little white flower has made it a general favorite; per oz. 50c... 5. --Little Gem--A new and exceedingly pretty variety of Sweet Alyssum. The plants are very dwarf, and each plant spreads so as to completely cover a circular space twelve to twenty inches in diameter. The plants begin to flower while quite young, and soon become one mass of white, remaining in full bloom from spring to fall. Deliciously fragrant. More than four hundred clusters of flowers in full bloom have been counted on a single plant... 10. Amaranthus Caudatus--(Love-lies-bleeding)--Produces long drooping chains of brilliant colored flowers... 5. --Cruentus--[Prince's Feather]... 5. --Salicifolius--(Fountain Plant)--Handsome form, beautiful foliage, very desirable for centers of beds, borders or pot culture... 10. --Tricolor--(Joseph's Coat)... 5. Anagallis--Low growing plants, with remarkably bright and handsome flowers; mixed varieties... 10. Asters - The numerous forms of the Aster, and the now great variety of rich colors of its perfectly double flowers, make it a leading favorite. For a late summer and fall display it has no equal. Give the Aster a deep, rich soil, with plenty of mulching, and it will surprise even its friends with its profusion of richly-colored, perfect flowers. Plant early as possible. - Comet - See Novelty List... 15. - Triumph - See Novelty List... 15. - Dwarf German - Mixed colors... 10.

[right column] - Pyramidal Bouquet - Very fine, mixed colors; each plant forms a bouquet... 10.

- Quilled German - Finest mixed... 5.

-Large-Flowered Rose - Flowers very large, perfect and brilliant, best mixed colors... 10.

- Victoria - This is a magnificent sort. Twenty inches high, vigorous in growth, pyramidal in habit, very free blooming; flowers double to center, very large. Adapted for either garden or window culture. Very brilliant colors, mixed... 15.

- Truffant's Paeony- Flowered Perfection- Mixed colors... 5.

- Hedge-hog, or Needle - Very peculiar, long quilled petals, handsome and sure to attract attention; mixed colors... 10.

- New Washington - The largest Aster in cultivation the flowers often measuring four or five inches across; perfectly double, fine form, and of many exquisite colors. Plant is pyramidal, and very free blooming; mixed colors... 10.

-All Kinds Mixed, including seeds of all varieties in the above list, except Comet and Triumph... 5.

Asclepios Tuberosa - A robust growing, profuse blooming plant with clusters of bright orange red flowers. This is a native of Iowa which is quite popular in Europe... 5.

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Balsam - The Balsam, like the Aster, is one of the most beautiful and popular of our Annuals. Like that flower, too, it is a favorite, and so much improved during the last quarter of a century, that it scarcely bears a resemblance to the old flower commonly known as Lady Slipper; unsurpassed for masses, fine for ribbon beds or borders; flowers double as the Rose, and very striking in their rich coloring, ranging from pure white to rich, dark crimson.

- Best Double - Mixed colors, per oz. 6oc. 5.

- Double Rose-Flowered- White... 10.

--Mixed Colors... 5.

-- Camelia Flowered - Mixed colors... 10.

-- Carnation Striped - Mixed colors ... 10.

- Maiden's Blush - A new variety of Double Balsam, which is of a very delicate and handsome blush color... 10.

Beet, New Ornamental Foliage - See Novelty List; oz. 35c... 10.

-One packet each of nine separate varieties for 45c.

Begonia - Tuberous rooted... 15.

[footer] Dec. 8. I received some seed of the Short Stem Drumhead Cabbage and grew the largest Cabbage I ever saw. C. W. CARLSON, Stanton, Iowa.

48. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

--Rex--Extra mixed... 15. --Fourteen flowering varieties mixed... 15. Brachycome--(Swan River Daisy)--Blue. 5. --White--Handsome for beds... 15. Browallia Elata--Produces very delicate and handsome flowers in great abundance; mixed... 10. Cacalia Coccinea--A handsome, free-flowering little plant; owing to the peculiar form of the flower it is sometimes called Tassel-Flower, or Flora's Paint Brush; scarlet... 5. Cactus--Fine mixed varieties... 15. Calendula--Belongs to the well-known Marigold family: --Officinalus Le Proust--Very double, nankeen colored, fine... 5. --Meteor--Striped light orange... 5. --Fine Mixed... 5. Calliopsis--Fine for cutting, and the more you pick it the better it blooms; mixed varieties and colors... 5. Campanula Speculum--(Venus' Looking-Glass)--Handsome for masses; hardy, free bloomers... 5. --Macrostyla--A very curious shaped, handsome large violet flower; remarkably fine... 10.

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Candytuft--Hardy annual of the easiest culture, an old favorite. Seed should be sown where the plants are to bloom: (See cut.) --Snow Queen--This is an entirely distinct species from Spain, and is of marvelous beauty. It grows very rapidly, quickly coming into bloom and remaining in full flower for three months. The very handsome, pure white flowers are produced in such great abundance that each plant resembles a ball of snow... 10. --Coronaria--(Tom Thumb)--Dwarf... 5. --Odorata--White; sweet-scented... 5. --Dunnett's Crimson--Splendid... 5. --Best Mixed--Per oz. 40c... 5. Canna--Magnificent foliage plants growing from three to six feet in height. If convenient, it is well to start seed in heat; finest mixed; per oz. 40c... 5. Catchfly--(Silene Armeria)--A very pretty and showy little plant; mixed colors... 5. Centaurea Cyanus--(Batchelor Button)--Mixed... 5. --Moschata--(Sweet Sulton)--Mixed... 5. Chrysanthemum--One of the prettiest annuals grown. The colors have the appearance of being laid on with a brush, and for this reason they are frequentfy called "painted daisies," and are indeed charming. Sow seed early in open ground and they will bloom profusely all summer. --Mixed Varieties--Includes all the best... 5. --Indicum Pompon--Double mixed. This is the most popular green-house variety. Very showy and desirable for fall and early winter blooming. Plants potted in the fall make a continuous bouquet for many weeks... 10. Cineraria Hybrida--Very handsome green-house plants, fine mixed... 20. --Maritima--Silver-leaved... 5. --Candidissima... 10. Celosia Japonica--(Japan Cockscomb)--Very bright crimson; well grown specimens are large and finely cut, producing a very striking and handsome appearance. 5.

[image] LARGEST OF ALL. VERY HANDSOME.

--New Giant Empress--Very handsome either for pot plants or specimen plants in beds, where they excite the curiosity of visitors more than almost any plant that can be grown. The Empress which we illustrate is the finest and most gorgeous variety yet introduced. It is not uncommon for the heads of this variety to measure over twelve inches in breadth; very bright purple combs and dark bronze foliage... 15.

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--Pyramidalis Plumosa--Very handsome feathered sort; the plant grows three feet high, and the main stem puts forth thirty to thirty-five branches, each crowned with a magnificent feathery-flower head, five inches long by three inches through. The entire plant is of perfect pyramidal form if given room for development. Flowers are of all shades of scarlet, crimson, yellow and pink. The [continued next page]

Remember that $1.00 pays for seeds in packets to the amount of $1.35, and to deduct 10 cents per lb. if you have seeds sent at your expense.