1890

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 69.

[continued from previous page] garden or for house culture in pots or glasses. Either double or single of any of the following colors: --Pure White, Rose, Red and Blue--Per doz., $1.25... 15. --Double or Single Yellow--Per doz., $2... 20. --Double or Single Mixed Colors--Per doz., $1... 10. ROMAN HYACINTHS--Earliest of all, will bloom by holidays; produces three to seven flower stalks; per doz., $1... 10. TULIPS--Nothing can excel these for early spring blooming in the open ground. Can furnish separate colors when desired: --Extra Choice Mixed Colors--Per doz. 60c. 8. --Good Mixed Colors--Per doz. 40c... 5. --Parrot, Mixed Colors--Beautifully fringed varieties; per doz., 40c... 5. CROCUS--All Colors Mixed--Per 100, $1.00; doz. 15c... 3.

[image] Very Handsome. Sweet Scented.

FREESIA Refracta Alba--Small bulbs bearing peculiar clusters of white flowers of the most delicious fragrance, which last a long time, even after being cut. It forces easily in the hot house, and will come into bloom in January and Febuary [February] in an ordinary green-house, but better still, it grows well and blooms freely in an ordinary sitting room if placed near the window, and not kept too hot. Will stand a slight freezing without injury. It appears to the best advantage when four or five bulbs are set in a six-inch pot in light, rich soil. We can supply these bulbs in the spring, also, and customers can send for them when ordering other goods and keep them dormant until their growing season commences. Per doz. 75c... 10. CHINESE SACRED LILY, or Joss Flowers--This beautiful variety is grown by the Chinese, according to their ancient custom, to bloom at the advent of their New Year. It is highly prized and called by them "Joss-Flower," or "Flower of the Gods." It is grown by the Chinese solely in water, and if set in the centre of a glass dish with small pieces of marble or stone, the roots will form a beautiful network. The flowers, which are borne in clusters on tall spikes, are white, with a golden yellow center, and deliciously fragrant. Per doz. $3.00... 30. NARCISSUS, Mixed Colors--Per doz. $1.25... 15. --Poeticus--Per doz. 50c... 5. --Paper White--Per doz. $1.25... 15. LILLIUM Candidum--Per doz. $1.25... 15. --Harrisii--Per doz. $2.00... 20. LILY OF THE VALLEY--Per doz. $1. 10. SNOWDROP Double--Per doz. 50c... 5. --Single--Per doz. 35c... 5. MADERIA VINE--Per doz. 40c... 5.

CURIOUS CACTI--The enormous demand for these curious and interesting plants has induced us to list them more fully than ever before. Now that lovers of flowers have learned to appreciate them, every one seems to want them, and it is not a matter of wonder, when we take into consideration their low price, free blooming qualities, odd and decorative shapes, and above all the little care they require to keep them blooming and luxuriating. The perfume of this flower is, in many cases, delicious, and the seed pods of a brilliant coral red, ornamenting the plant for several months after blooming, and as they luxuriate in warm, dry atmosphere, they are eminently the plants for having in the parlor or sitting-room. Many varieties produce magnificent flowers of the most striking and brilliant colors. Water very sparingly.

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We have not space to name the varieties, but we are sure all will be pleased with them. Price 15c to $1.00 each; or we will send 10 Cacti, all different, our selection, for $1.00. It will be, of course, understood that these are not the most expensive varieties, neither are they large plants, as the postage alone on some of our Cacti would amount to more than that sum. CEREUS GRANDIFLORA--The true Night Blooming Cereus, from the Miter Mountains of Mexico. Has deliciously fragrant white flowers, nearly a foot in diameter. This belongs to the Cactus family. 25 cts. each.

MISCELLANEOUS FARM SEEDS.

CHOICE RECLEANED GRASS SEEDS, ETC. We desire to call the especial attention of the farmers of Iowa and the Northwest to our superior facilities for supplying them with Blue Grass, Timothy, Clover, etc., of the best quality. This branch of our trade has made a remarkable growth, which we attribute to our great care and close attention to the handling of farm seeds. Where we used to handle grass seed by the bag only, we now buy and sell by the car load. With improved machinery for cleaning, together with the shipping facilities of our city, which are unequalled by any other point in Iowa, we are confident it will be greatly to your advantage to send us your orders for what you may need, be it a large or small quantity. We will take pleasure in quoting special prices on large orders, or giving any information that we are able to.

SHIPPING. In this department everything which is quoted by the packet or pound is sent by mail postpaid; all larger quantities, unless specially noted, are sent by express or freight, at the expense ofthe purchaser. No extra charge for bags or delivering at depots. The prices quoted by the bushel are subject to any important change in the market without notice. But if price goes lower than that quoted, persons ordering will be given the benefit of it. NOTICE--While we exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not give any warranty express or implied. Samples of clover, grass and field seeds will be sent on application when desired.

CLOVER SEEDS. The soils best adapted to Clover are tenacious or stiff loams. It is a fertilizer, as its long powerful tap roots loosen the soil, admit air, and when the roots decay, add largely to the black mass of earth. It helps destroy annual weeds by the luxurant [luxuriant] foliage, and by shading the surface of the soil, increases its fertility. It weighs sixty pounds to the bushel: Mammoth, or Large Red--Grows five or six feet high. Sow twelve or fifteen pounds per acre; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. $1.50; bu. $5.00; 5 bu. $24.00. Medium Red or June--Grown for hay or for pasture. Sow twelve to fifteen pounds per acre; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. $1.40; bu. $4.75; 5 bu. for $22.50. Alsyke, or Swedish--Withstands the rigors of our cold winters without injury; a wonderful cropper, being less injured by extremes of wet and dry seasons than any of the clovers. Sow seven pounds per acre; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1.00; pk. $2.00; bu. $7.75. White Dutch--Used largely for pastures and is also excellent for lawns as it makes a quick showing and a compact sod. Sow six pounds per acre; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. $2.25; bu. $8.00. Alfalfa, or Lucerne--For loose, rich soils with porous subsoils, there is probably no forage plant equal to this. Its roots penetrate very deep, in some cases as much as fifteen feet, thus enabling it to produce heavy crops where all other grasses dry out entirely. Sow fifteen to twenty pounds per acre; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. $2.00; bu. $7.50.

GRASS SEEDS. Timothy--As a crop to cut for hay, this is is probably unsurpassed by any grass in cultivation. Twelve pounds per acre; weighs forty-five pounds per bushel; per lb. 25c; 3 lbs. 60c; pk. 60c; bu. $2.00; 5 bu. for $9.00. Orchard Grass, or Cock's Foot--One of the most valuable of pasture grasses, on account of its quick growth and luxuranth [luxuriant] aftermath. It is ready for grazing in the spring two weeks sooner than most grasses, and when fed off is again ready for grazing in a week. It stands a severe drouth, keeping green when other grasses wither, and will endure considerable shade. Sow one bushel per acre; weighs fourteen pounds per bushel; per lb. 50c; 3 lbs. $1.50; pk. 60c; bu. $1.75; per full bag of eight bushels $11.50. Red Top--Makes a good pasture when fed close. Sow in the spring or fall; one bushel per acre; weighs fourteen pounds per bushel; per lb. 25c; 3 lbs. 70c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.00; 5 bu. for $4.25. Kentucky Blue Grass--Two bushels of extra clean, or one bushel of fancy clean seed should be sown per acre. It forms the finest and closest of lawns; for this purpose an extra quantity of seed should be used; say four to six bushels per acre; fourteen pounds per bushel: --Fancy Clean Seed--Per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 50c; bu. $1.75; per full bag of 8 bu. $12.50. --Extra Clean Seed--Per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.50; per full bag of 8 bu. $11.40. English Blue Grass, or Meadow Fescue--More robust than Kentucky Blue Grass, produces more pasturage, and stands the heat of summer well; makes excellent hay. Sow in spring or fall; one bushel per acre; weighs 24 pounds per bushel; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1.00; pk. $1.00; bu. $3.00.

IOWA SEED COMPANY DES MOINES, lOWA. 71.

Perennial Rye Grass--A very valuable variety for permanent pasture, and makes a large return in hay; very nutritious. Succeeds best in moderately moist land, for which it is peculiarly adapted. Per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 75c; bu. $2.25. Crested Dogstail--One of the finest of lawn grasses; valuable on dry, hard soils and hills for pasturage; twenty pounds per acre; sixteen pounds per bushel; per. lb, 75c. Sweet Vernal Grass--One of the earliest in spring, as well as the latest in autumn; mixed with other grasses it is valuable for lawns, exhaling a delightful fragrance when in bloom; per lb. 75c; 3 lbs. $1.50. New Golden Wonder Millet--Heads eighteen inches in length, containing 18,000 seeds, are not at all rare. The yield is enormous. Stalks full of broad leaves, resembling those of corn, yielding from ten to twelve tons of fodder per acre, which is as easily cured as clover hay. "Golden Wonder Millet" can be grown and matured in high latitudes where corn will not ripen. To get the best results for seed purposes, it should be planted and cultivated like corn, in rows three feet apart, and from twenty inches to two feet apart in the rows, planting from five to seven seeds in the hill. If for fodder sow on rich ground, and cut before the seed is ripe; per pkt. 10c; lb. 60c. Common Millet--Especially valuable for cattle; forty-eight pounds per bushel; one bushel per acre; per lb. 20c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.25.

German, or Golden Millet--For hay it should be cut as soon as well headed; forty-eight pounds per bushel; one bushel per acre; per lb. 25c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.50. Hungarian Grass--Forty-eight pounds per bushel; one bushel per acre; per lb. 25c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.50. Johnson Grass--A perennial grass belonging to the sorghum family; a rapid grower, very nutritious, both for hay and grazing, comes very early in the spring and will grow till cut down by frost. Two or three crops can be cut in a season. Sow one bushel per acre; per lb. 50c; 3 lbs. $1.25; pk. $1.50; bu. $5. Teosinte--(Reana Luxurians)--A Central American forage plant; in leaf and stalk somewhat resembles corn, leaves longer and broader. It stools like oats, and is very sweet and nutritious; per pkt. 10c; oz. 25c; 1/4 lb. 75c; lb. $2.00. Durra, or Sorghum Vulgare--It is a valuable forage plant, growing from eight to ten feet in height and yielding an abundance of grayish green foliage, greatly relished by stock. It is frequently grown for grain for poultry and yields largely; per lb. 25c. Kaffir Corn--An excellent fodder plant, yielding two crops of fodder during a season. Grows four to five feet high, upright stalk, with numerous large leaves. Greatly relished by cattle and horses; per lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. $1.50; per bu. $5.

SEED CORN. The value of the corn crop in Iowa alone would be increased two million dollars by an average increase of one bushel per acre, and it has been demonstrated that five to seven bushels can be added to the average crop by planting the improved kinds--while in many cases the crop can be nearly doubled. The necessity of planting the very best varieties is plain. All seed corn is very carefully tested, and none sent out that we are not certain will grow well. Samples mailed when desired.

[image] Great Caesar! That beats 'em all!!

THE PROFIT--This corn, which was first introduced by us, is the result of cross-fertilization and most careful culture in Iowa. In our experiments it has proved to give the largest yield of shelled corn (not cobs) of any kind we have tried. It matures very early and is of excellent quality. Extraordinarily deep grain and small cob. Eighteen to twenty-two rows. The color is variegated from light sulphur to bright orange, being agreeably diversified, making it particularly striking in appearance. Per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.50; 2 bu. $2.75. Pride of the North--This variety has been grown and improved in the extreme northern part of Iowa, and is the earliest yellow dent corn we know of. The ears are eight to ten inches long, with small cob and deep kernel; seventy pounds of ears will make sixty pounds of shelled corn; color bright orange and very uniform. Matures in this latitude when planted in June; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.00; 2 bu. $1.75. Leaming--The Leaming in character is somewhat of a Dent variety; ears are of good size, set low down, and nearly always two good ears to each stalk. Small red cob, with a medium deep long grain, of a rich golden color. The Leaming has produced in this section some of the largest and handsomest crops we have ever seen; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.20; 2 bu. $2.00. Iowa Yellow Dent--The standard. Per lb. 25c; pk. 35c; bu. 85c; 2 bu. $1.50. Premium White Field--An extra good white corn which originated in Polk County; has taken the premium at our state fairs and is quite popular. Per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.60.

72. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

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Champion White Pearl--True merit has won laurels for this corn and it is now universally recognized, and catalogued, as the leading standard variety of thoroughbred, pure white, medium-sized, early White Dent corn, suitable for general crop. Matures in ninety to one hundred days; is very prolific; the grain is extra deep and wide, with small cob as shown in our cut. Will grade No. 1 white in any market if sound and well cleaned. The stalk is short and thick, and roots very deeply, with ear growing low upon it, thus standing our severe storms and drouths well. Per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 65c; bu. $2.00; 2 bu. $3.75. Angel of Midnight--The Rural New Yorker says of this corn: Begins to ripen August 5th, and is the earliest we have ever tried. Longest ears fourteen inches, eight rows, over sixty kernels in a row. Kernels large, broad, yellow, flat. Plants six feet high only; large at bottom, slender top, ears low, often two large ears to a stalk; stalk small, shanks long, cob small. This will certainly ripen, judging by this season, anywhere that corn will ripen; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 75c; bu. $2.25. Longfellow Flint--A fine corn with remarkably long ears, some measuring 15 inches. One grower reports 115 bushels to the acre. This is the variety that took the first premium among flint corns at the great corn exhibition in Chicago. Is really a curiosity. Per pkt. 10c; per lb. 35c; pk. 75c; bush. $2.25. Brazilian Flour--This new variety of corn is peculiar and also valuable in that when properly ground and bolted it will make as good flour as that made from the best wheat. It is whiter than wheat flour, will rise equally well and is excellent for making bread, pies, cakes, biscuits, etc. It is productive; one acre will produce as much flour as four acres of wheat, and it fully matures in this latitude. It is claimed to be excellent used like sweet corn in its green state, and is also a valuable foliage plant. Try it. Per pkt. 10c; lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 75c; bu. $2.50.

Hickory King--Entirely distinct from all other varieties and it has unquestionably the largest grains, with the smallest cob of any variety ever introduced. A single kernel will almost completely cover the cob section when an ear is broken in two. Yield well and will usually mature well in this latitude. Per pkt. 10c; lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 75c; bu. $2.40. Sweet Corn for Fodder--Especially valuable for feeding hogs and milch cows; commence feeding as soon as it will do for roasting ears, and continue till the corn becomes too dry, which will not be till winter sets in. For milch cows it should be cut and wilted from twelve to twenty-four hours before feeding. Can furnish either early or late; per qt. 25c; pk. 50c; bu. $1.50. Pop Corn--See page 26 of vegetable list.

BROOM CORN. Our broom corn seed is all saved from carefully selected hurl brush. Price given is per measured bushel. Please remember this in ordering, as a bushel according to the legal weight of Iowa equals only about two-thirds of a bushel by measure. Wilson's Improved Evergreen--Grows about eight to ten feet high, stands up well, and is entirely free from crooked brush; the fibre is long and fine. Its greatest value to growers is in the fact that it will not get red in the field before it is cut, but is strictly a green variety of brush and will always command the highest price; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1, pk. 75c; bu. $2.50. Japanese Evergreen--Mr. A. L. Doud, of Van Buren county, writes us that his crop of this NEW VARIETY was the finest he ever grew, brush fine, even, good color and of the very best quality; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. $1; bu. $2.50. Black Spanish--Grows six to eight feet high, with long, fine straight brush of a light green color, quite early; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 75c; bu. $1.75. Tall Evergreen--A standard early variety, brush green; per lb. 35c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 65c; bu. $1.75. Dwarf Evergreen--Similar to the tall except in height; per lb. 35c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 65c; bu. $1.75. California Golden--Long brush, which, when ripe, is a bright golden yellow color, straight and handsome; per lb. 40c; 3 lbs. $1; pk. 75c; bu. $1.75.

FARM GRAIN, ETC. Improved Saskatchewan Fife Wheat--The yield of this splendid new spring wheat is simply extraordinary, in many cases doubling the general average. Read what the Milling King of the world says about it: From Charles A. Pillsbury Flouring Mills, (daily capacity, 7,500 bbls., requiring 36,000 bushels of wheat.) "I consider it the best and purest Fife wheat to-day in the northwest. No such milling wheat has been received at our mills since we have been in [continued next page]

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 73.

[continued from previous page] the milling business." We supplied some of this wheat last year to the Iowa Agricultural Experimental Station to be tested with quite a number of other varieties and in their report they class it as the best. They say "it stooled well, stood up well, was affected but little by rust or blight and yielded at the rate of 29 8-10 bushels to the acre of full plump wheat." Per lb. 25c; 3 lbs. 60c; pk. 65c; bu. $2.00; 2 bu. $3.75.

[image] JAPANESE BUCKWHEAT NATURAL SIZE

NEW JAPANESE BUCKWHEAT--A splendid new variety which is about a week earlier than the Silver Hull and yields almost as much again. From ONE GRAIN planted in a garden the product was 850 RIPE KERNELS. As will be seen by the illustration, the kernels are at least TWICE the size of those of any other variety; in color they are also distinct, being of a rich, dark shade of brown. The flour made from it, is equal in quality to that of any other buckwheat, while it is much more productive than any other and succeeds well far north. As the straw is heavier and it branches more, it does not need to be sown as thickly as other kinds. Per pkt. 10c; lb. 35c; pk. 75c; bu. $2.25. European Silver Hull Buckwheat--This extraordinary variety originated abroad; is a very great improvement upon the black or gray Buckwheat. Sown the same as the common Buckwheat; it continues to bloom longer, matures a few days sooner, and yields nearly or quite double under the same conditions. The grain is of a beautiful light silvery grey color, while the husk is thinner, thereby saving from fifteen to twenty per cent waste in the process of manufacturing into flour, which is whiter and more nutritious; per lb. 35c, pk. 65c; bu. $1.75. Common Buckwheat--(Selected)--Peck, 50c; bu. $1.40. New Prize Cluster Oats--A new variety which has given better results than any other during the past three years which it has been grown here. We name a few of its good qualities which have been given us by those who have tried it here: "It is eight or nine days earlier than any variety we have grown, has a broader leaf, grows to medium height and stools exceptionally well. It stands up better, was free from rust every year. The heads average very long; some measured 22 inches. It has a short plump kernel and thin hull, making it excellent for oat meal. It weighs 44 to 45 lbs. to the measured bushel. At the IOWA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION last year they tested fifteen leading varieties and the Prize Cluster gave the largest yield and they put it first among the desirable varieties. We have a good crop this year and offer them at a specially low prices so that all can try them. This is, we believe, the lowest price any new variety has ever been sent out at. If you want a large quantity, send for sample. Per lb. 25c; 3 lbs. 60c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.00; 5 bu. or over @ 75c; 20 bu. or over @ 65c. Welcome Oats--A very popular variety which has produced some enormous yields. They stooled heavily with extra strong, straight straw, standing well. Succeeding in a wide range of climate and under a great variety of soils and methods of culture; per lb. 25c; 3 lbs. 60c; pk. 40c; bu. $1.00; 2 bu. $1.80. Rye--Well known as a forage crop; per pk. 75c; bu. $2. Highland Chief Barley--A new and distinct variety. It is very robust; a vigorous grower, and the size of the grain when compared with any other variety is immense. It is less liable to be damaged by wet than other kinds, inasmuch as it is more closely covered with awns or spikelets; yielding from 50 to 60 bushels per acre, and usually weighing over 50 pounds to the measured bushel. A half bushel taken from our stock of seed obtained first premium at the Iowa State Fair; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; pk. 75c; bu. $2.50. Early Minnesota Amber Sugar Cane--This popular variety has very nearly taken the place of all other sorts. It is the earliest and makes the finest quality of amber syrup, and also makes good sugar; succeeds well both north and south; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; 10 lbs. or more by express or freight, 10c per lb.; 100 lbs. $5.00. Orange Sugar Cane--From 8 to 10 days later than the Amber, but growing somewhat larger and yielding a better quality of syrup; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; ten pounds or more by express or freight at 10c per pound. Seed Flax--It will pay farmers to buy their flax seed and quit the process of raising it under contract for the mills. It is a quick crop to grow and always finds ready sale at a fair price; per pk. 65c; bu. $2.25. Write for special price on large quantities. Russian Flax--A variety which should be grown more, as it yields nearly double the amount of seed. The seed is muah larger [continued next page]