1890

74. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[continued from previous page] and more plump; per lb. 35c; pk. 85c; bu. $2.85; 2 bu. $5.35. Beans--California Branch, or Tree--See description on page 18 of vegetable list; pk. $1.10; bu. $3.70. Field Peas--Valuable for feeding: --White--Per pk. 65c; bu $1.75. -Blue--Per pk. 65c; bu. $1.75. Mammoth Russian Sunflower--The largest of all Sunflowers. This is without doubt one of the best paying crops that can be raised. The seed makes the best of food for poultry, and can be raised at a very trifling expense (about one-third the cost of corn), and the stalks, which grow very large, make excellent firewood. It is also said to afford protection against malaria. We offer it at a low price this year to induce our customers to try it, as we believe no one who tries it once will ever be without it. Try a pound and see what great results may be obtained; per lb. 30c; 3 lbs. 75c; by express, ten lbs. or more, at 12c per lb. Clover, Honey or Bee--In its flowering season it is literally covered with bees; should be sown by every bee-keeper; per lb. 50c.

TREE AND HEDGE SEEDS. As tree seedlings make but small growth the first season, it is best to plant in rows or beds and transplant to permanent places at one or two years old. Nut bearing trees are an exception to this rule. In the latitude of northern Iowa and north of it, it is well to protect the first winter with straw or hay. In planting groves, plant several varieties, as they seem to grow more rapidly. POSTAGE PREPAID AT PRICES NAMED. Ash, American White--A very valuable timber; easily grown from seed, transplants with safety and grows very rapidly; per 1/4 lb. 15c; lb. 50c; 10 pounds or more, not prepaid, at 25c per lb. Arbor Vitae, American--Hardy evergreen; per pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; 1/4 lb. 90c; lb. $3. Box Elder--Makes a handsome shade tree; also good wind brake, as it is a rapid grower. Stands dry weather extremely well; per 1/4 lb. 15c; lb. 50c; 10 lbs. or more, not prepaid, 25c per lb. Catalpa Speciosa, or Hardy Catalpa--This is perhaps the most valuable tree on the list for our western prairies. Grows from seed almost as readily as corn. Cover one-half, inch; per oz. 10c; 1/4 lb. 30c; lb. $1.00; 10 pounds or more, not prepaid, at 65c per lb. Elm, European--A beautiful tree for lawns and streets; a rapid grower; per oz. 25c; 1/4 lb. 75c; lb. $2. Locust Honey--Used largely for hedges; 1/4 lb. 20c; lb. 50c; 10 pounds or over, not prepaid, 30c per lb. Locust, Black--Of rapid growth, and succeeds well in most localities; 1/4 lb. 20c; lb. 50c; 10 pounds or more, not prepaid, at 30c. per lb. Lime, or Linden--Soft wood, of very rapid growth; per oz. 10c; 1/4 lb. 35c; lb. $1.25. Maple, Soft--This is being extensively planted in forests, groves and timber belts on account of its rapid growth. Seed ready June 1st, and should be planted within two or three weeks; per 1/4 lb. 20c; lb. 50c; bu. $2.50. Mulberry, Russian--Indispensable in silk culture in the north. Easily grown from seed. Its rapid growth, beautiful form and foliage and more than all, the excellence of its timber and fruit, produced in abundance after the third year, make it an extremely valuable tree for the northwest; per pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; 1/4 lb. 90c; lb. $3.00. Osage Orange--Makes a handsome and durable hedge and is altogether the best plant grown for this purpose; per lb. 50c; 3 lbs. $1.25; pk. $1.75; bu. $6. Pine, Austrian--Perfectly hardy and a rapid grower; per oz. 20c; 1/4 lb. 50c; lb. $1.50. Pine, Scotch--Very desirable for timber belts; per oz. 25c; 1/4 lb. 85c; lb. $2.50. Spuce, Norway--A foreign variety. Valuable for timber belts or for lawns; per oz. 10c; 1/4 lb. 35c; lb. $1.25. Tree of Heaven--Intoduced from Japan. It has become quite popular in some localities on account of its rapid growth and tropical appearance. Hardy on our prairies; per oz. 10c; 1/4 lb. 30c; lb. 85c.

SWEET POTATOES. We desire to call especial attention to our facilities for supplying our customers with sweet potatoes for bedding. From long experience we have learned that extreme care in keeping, handling and packing is absolutely necessary to insure their safe arrival at destination. Our facilities for strictly observing these requisites are not surpassed, and, we think, not equalled in this part of the country. Orders should be sent in early and we will ship potatoes as soon as weather permits. The Yellow Nansemond and Early Yellow Jersey are most popular; per pk. 60c; bu. $1.50; bbl. $3.25. Use Slug Shot for potato bugs.

SWEET SEED POTATOES. "Let us raise two potatoes where we now raise one." "What ye sow, that shall ye also reap." We make a specialty of choice seed potatoes, growing nearly all we offer on our own farms, and are each year testing many of the new varities [varieties] that are offered, carefully comparing them with the older sorts, and those which have particular merit we lose no time in offering to our customers. Remarkable improvements have been made in the potato during the past few years and several new varieties of great merit have been brought out, and every gardener and farmer is standing in his own light who refuses or neglects to test them. Buy a small quantity this year of each of a few of the leading sorts, and not only will you find the quality better than the old kinds, but the yield will be greatly increased. Use plenty of seed. The average yield for three years whole potatoes planted at the Ohio Experimental Station was 246 bushels per acre, that from single eye pieces 130 bushels per acre.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 75.

The Concave and Curved Seed Potato Knife. Is thin and right shape to cut 1, 2 and 3 eye pieces fast, and not crack the tuber or injure the germs. Price 35 cents each, postpaid. All of the following varieties will be found worthy of a place in any garden. At the pound price we will send them by mail prepaid; at the peck or bushel rate, they are to be sent by express or freight at expense of purchaser.

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Early Iowa Beauty--NAMED AND INTRODUCED BY IOWA SEED CO.--This is the handsomest and best early potato we have ever seen. Took two first premiums at the Iowa State Fair as the best new potato and the best early potato, although not yet named. In a number of tests it has proven to be earlier than the Early Ohio and has in every case proven itself a better yielder and of better quality. It is an Iowa Seedling originated by one of the leading gardeners of Muscatine Island; tubers medium to large, growing very compactly in hill; color white, slightly tinged with russet; shape oblong oval, somewhat flattened, very rarely pronged, never hollow; eyes shallow, slightly sunken at seed end, but the potato is very smooth. Vine a hardy, vigorous grower, shading the ground well. Rev. Frank R. Holcomb, of Mt. Pleasant, says of it: "I firmly believe this new seedling potato to be ten days earlier than the Early Ohio; fully its equal in table qualities, and twice as large a cropper as that variety with the same cultivation." We fully believe that those who try the Early Iowa Beauty will agree with us that it is the very best early potato in existence. Per lb. by mail, 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 75c; bu. $2; bbl. $4. New Eyeless--INTRODUCED BY IOWA SEED CO. IN 1889--In color it is white, slightly russeted; shape, oval, somewhat flattened; perfectly smooth, with very few eyes; the scarcity of eyes suggesting the name, and giving the potato a peculiar appearance. It is fine grained and mealy, and is, by all odds, the best baking potato on the list. Strong, vigorous vine, dark colored with purple blossom, and is the nearest bug proof of any variety we have ever tested. Tubers grow compactly in the hill, medium to large in size, quality unexcelled, always cooking evenly throughout; per lb. by mail, 40c; by express or freight per pk. $1.00. Early White Beauty of Hebron--INTRODUCED BY IOWA SEED CO. IN 1889--The above is a sport of Thorburn's Beauty of Hebron, and retains the shape and good qualities of its parent, but in color it is entirely different, being a clear, pure white. It is one of the handsomest potatoes we have ever seen. It becomes fit for use earlier than the Beauty of Hebron, and is more uniform in size. It is very dry and mealy and a splendid keeper, and is the best potato for late spring and early summer use, as it does not become watery, like other sorts. Be sure and try the White Beauty of Hebron; per lb. by mail, 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 65c; per bu. $2.00; per bbl. $4.50. Early Ohio--Tubers medium size and very even; color nearly white, tinged with purple; oval form; flesh pure white, unusually fine quality. Matures at least ten days in advance of the Early Rose; keeps till July if wanted; per lb. 25c; per pk. 40c; bu. $1.00; bbl. $2.50; 10 bu. or more at 70c. per bu. Beauty of Hebron, Early--Ten days earlier than the Early Rose; yields well, tubers lying very close together in the hill. Its mealy qualities and rich delicate flavor are the highest recommends; per lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 40c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $2.75. Clark's No. 1--This variety reminds us of the Early Rose in its palmiest days, which it very closely resembles; is a much better cropper, ripens about the same time, cooks mealy, flavor excellent; per lb. 25c; by express or freight; per pk. 40c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $2.75. Early Rose--Old standard early sort; per lb. 25c; by express or freight, pk. 40c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $2.75. Magnum Bonum--Medium early, and in some crops have been known to average one pound each in weight. Very solid and fine grained, resembling the Peachblow in character and quality. Good keeper; per lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 50c; bu. $1.50; bbl. $3.50. Parson's Prolific--An Iowa seedling. The vines are vigorous and rank, with strong roots extending deep into the soil; dark green foliage; tubers medium large the best market size, (not overly large) and very uniform; skin pure white and smooth, oval form, slightly flattened on the sides; eyes very near the surface. They grow compact in the hill; have very few small ones. The yield is among the best. Flesh pure white, line grained and splendid flavor; a first-class cooking potato. We have never found a hollow one; per lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 40c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $2.75. Potentate--Originated in Iowa. One of the [continued next page]

76. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[continued from previous page] best medium early potatoes with which we are acquainted. Grows large, heavy cropper and is the best keeper on the list. Have been kept sound and good as late as July. The tubers are large, round, very shallow eyes and in quality is excellent. From our own experiments we do not hesitate to recommend the Potentate as first-class. Per lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 50c; bu. $1.50; bbl. $3.50. Burbank Seedling--Produces a large crop of handsome tubers, almost uniform in size, and which always commands a high price in the market; per lb. 35c; by express or freight, per pk. 40c; bu. $1.25 ; bbl. $2.75. Almo--Grows even in size, white, slightly russeted, smooth, nearly round, fine quality, medium late, a heavy cropper and excellent keeper. Per. lb. 25c; by express or freight, per pk. 40c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $2.75.

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Bonanza--This magnificent new variety which we introduced in 1887 is a medium late, and has become one of the leading market varieties for a main crop. Tubers are large, oblong, somewhat flattened, skin smooth, flesh firm, white and fine-grained. Its perfect shape, great productiveness, superior quality, freedom from rot and blight, and its not being affected by draught, makes it in every respect a first-class potato. Its strong, robust growth renders it less liable to be affected by bugs, and its upright, stocky habit makes it possible to plant closer than most kinds. Quality the very best, equal, and by some considered superior, to the Peachblow and Snowflake. Cooks dry and mealy, either boiled or baked. Per lb. 25c; by express or freight, pk. 50c; bu. $1.25; bbl. $3.00. The Bonanza Potato bought of you proves to be the very best table potato we ever used. BRYSON BRUCE, March 11, '89. Garden Grove, Iowa.

SPECIAL OFFER. We will send by express or freight at purchaser's expense one pound each of ten varities [varieties] of potatoes (the purchaser's selection), for only $1.15; or one pound each of all the above 13 varieties and also one pound each of Early Vermont, Pearl of Savoy, Telephone, Early Gem, Vick's White Rose, Dakota Red and Early Maine, twenty in all for $1.75. This will give you an opportunity to try all these first class varieties at merely a nominal cost.

RESURRECTION PLANT.

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A great curiosity. The plants, when dry, roll up into a ball, and can be laid away or kept in that state for months or years, to all appearances perfectly dead; but when placed in a saucer or vase of water they in a few moments unfold and become green and beautiful, and make a very pretty plant as long as they are kept moist. They grow without soil. It is a native of a desert country, where it is blown over the ground by the wind, and whenever it happens to drop into a pool of water, it expands and takes root. When the pool dries up it again rolls itself into a ball and resumes its travels. Price, 20 cts. each; 6 for $1.00.

VALUABLE AGRICULTURAL BOOKS. It will pay you to read some of the following Agricultural Books, which are written by practical men. Sent postpaid on receipt of price:

Asparagus Culture, Flex. Cloth... $ .50. Barry's Fruit Garden, New and Revised Ed. 2.00. Brill's Farm-Gardening and Seed-Growing. 1.00. Farming for Boys... 1.25. Farming for Profit... 3.75. Fitz's Sweet Potato Culture... .60. Fuller's Practical Forestry... 1.50. Henderson's Gardening for Pleasure... 2.00. Honderson's Gardening for Profit... 2.00. Henderson's & Crozier's How the Farm Pays. 2.50. Onions--How to Raise Them Profitably... 20. Our Farm of Four Acres (paper)... .30. Quinn's Money in the Garden... 1.50. Riley's Potato Pests (paper)... .50. Roe's Play and Profit in My Garden... 1.50. Roosevelt's Five Acres Too Much... 1.50. Silos and Ensilage... .50. Tobacco Culture, by 14 experienced cultivators... .25. Every Woman Her Own Flower Gardener... 1.00. Fern Book for Everybody... .50. Fuller's Grape Culturist... 1.50. Fuller's Illustrated Strawberry Culturist... .25. Fuller's The Propagation of Plants... 1.50. Heinrich's Window Flower Garden... .75. Henders'on's Hand-Book of Plants... 3.00, Henderson's Practical Floriculture... 1.50. Rixford's Wine Press and Cellar... 1.50. Stewart's Sorghum and its Products... 1.50. Thomas' American Fruit Culturist, New Ed. 2.00. Williams' Orchid Grower's Manual... 6.50. The Horse, Its Varieties and Management... .75. Cattle, Varieties, Breeding and Managem'nt. .75. The Sheep, Its Varieties and Management... .75. The Dog, Its Varieties and Management... .50. Harris on the Pig... 1.50. Keeping One Cow, New and Revised Edition. 1.00. Root's A B C of Bee Culture... 1.25. Stoddard's An Egg Farm, Rev. and Enlarged. .50. Complete Text Book on Silk Culture, containing all the information and instruction necessary for a person to know in order to succeed in this business; fully illustrated; price is 25c; but by purchasing a large number we are enabled to offer them to our customers, each, at only... .1[0?].

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 77.

TOOLS AND IMPLEMENTS. We handle a good assortment of the best gardening implements and tools, and as we are not bound to any firm or manufacturer to push their goods exclusively, our customers can depend on our opinion as here given, being unbiased and founded on our own experience, and that of the best gardeners near this city. A good wheel hoe is as much superior to the common hoe for cultivating a garden, as is the mowing machine to the sickle in the hay-field. All of the following tools have been thoroughly tested, and for their own particular class of work have given splendid satisfaction. The soil on which they are intended to be used, as well as the use to which you intend to put them, must be well considered. All in all, the Planet Jr. Implements are the most popular with Iowa gardeners. If you want a tool both for drilling your seed and tending the crop, either the Planet Jr. or Comstock Combined Drill and Wheel Hoe will answer the purpose. The Planet Jr. consists of the largest number of combinations, and can be used for a greater variety of work. The Comstock has the advantage of extreme lightness (if that is an object with you) and with the addition of the Scuffle Hoe attachment does almost all varieties of work. As a cultivator for rather heavy ground, there is no tool which will equal the Ruhlman Wheel Hoe. It does as thorough and complete work as any tool on the list, and exterminates all weeds between the rows. No gardener or farmer should be without a Planet Jr. Combined Horse Hoe and Cultivator. It is conceded by all who have tried it to be the BEST HORSE CULTIVATOR IN EXISTENCE. All of the tools named in this list are good in their respective classes, and we refer you to the description of them given herewith, and to the descriptive circulars of any of them, which will be mailed on application. All tools are packed ready for shipment, and will be delivered at express or freight offices at prices named. Notice our low prices.

"PLANET JR." AND "FIREFLY" FARM AND GARDEN IMPLEMENTS. The "Planet Jr." goods combine lightness with strength, adjustability with firmness, simplicity with perfection of work, and thorough practical value with beauty of design. Owing to lack of space in this catalogue we give only a condensed description of these implements. A complete descriptive catalogue of these goods, illustrated with over forty engravings, showing the tools at work, and containing practical instruction in the cultivation of garden and field crops, invaluable to beginners and useful to every tiller of the soil, will be mailed free on application to us.

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The Planet Jr. Combined Drill, Wheel Hoe, Cultivator and Plow--This is the most popular tool we have ever sold. As a drill it is exactly similar and equal to No. 2, except in size. It holds one quart. As a Plow it opens furrows, covers them, hills, plows to and from, etc. As a Hoe it works safely to and from both sides of the row at once at the critical time when plants are small and weeds abundant, or between rows as plants grow larger, working all rows from eight to sixteen inches wide at one passage. As a Cultivator it is admirably adapted to deep mellowing of the soil. It sows all garden seed accurately at the desired thickness or depth, opening, dropping, covering, rolling down and marking the next row all at one passage, in the most reliable and perfect manner. Each machine is sent out with the tools shown in the cut. Be sure you get the latest style machine, having the rakes for cultivating. List price, $12 each. Our Price only $9.75 each, boxed. This is a very low price and all who ever intend to purchase one of these tools should buy it this year.

The Planet Jr. No. 2 Drill--Sows all garden seeds accurately, at any desired thickness or depth, opening, dropping, covering, rolling down and marking the next row all at one passage in the most perfect and reliable manner. It holds 2 1/2 quarts. It has no cams, levers, brushes, cogs, springs or shakers to get out of order; it is noiseless, automatic, self-cleaning and accurate; it is remarkable for simplicity, strength, and for ease and perfection of work in the field. No one having use for a seed drill can afford to buy any other; it is the best. List price $9.00. Our price only $8.00 each, boxed.

The "Planet Jr." Single Wheel Hoe, Cultivator and Plow Combined--Combines extreme lightness, strength, variety of tools, and great adjustability. It has one pair of exchangeable hoes, one pair of cultivating rakes, one broad cultivating tooth, one large garden plow, one detachable leaf guard, and there has been added this year a pair of four-inch sweeps. The frame allows every desirable adjustment, is quickly raised or lowered to regular depth, and the wheel can be attached centrally or to either side of the machine, giving the operator the important advantage of hoeing both sides of the row at one passage, when desired. List price $6.00. Our price only $5.00 each, boxed.

The "Fire Fly" Wheel Garden Plow--Makes the care of a vegetable garden a pleasure, and 10,000 families who could not find time to keep a garden, if attempting its cultivation with an ordinary hand hoe, can raise their own vegetables successfully with the "Fire Fly." It takes the place of the horse and plow, or cultivator, requiring no wide headlands to turn on, and is invaluable during all the garden season. The price is reduced to $2.50.

78. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] COPYRIGHTED

The "Planet Jr." Double Wheel Hoe. CULTIVATOR, RAKE AND PLOW COMBINED. This popular hoe has been completely remodelled; is greatly simplified, strengthened, and improved, and merits the thorough admiration of every practical gardener. Each tool is sent out with a pair of rakes, a pair of hoes, a pair of 4-inch sweeps, a pair of cultivator teeth and a pair of plows; the wheels are adjustable in height, and the arch is high enough to enable the operator to work both sides of the row at once until plants are over 18 inches high; then the wheels can be set to run close together and the tool used between the rows. Leaf guards (detachable) go with each machine, to be used when plants extend into a wide row. This tool is light, very simple, very strong, made of the best material and highly finished, and nothing exceeds the perfection and variety of work it performs. It will do the work of six men with ordinary hand hoes. List price $8.00. Our price only $6.65 each, boxed.

The "Planet Jr." Hollow Steel Standard Horse Hoe and Cultivator.

[image] COPYRIGHTED 1889.

This tool is acknowledged the world over to be the best of its kind ever made. Improvements for 1899 are bound to make it still more popular. The striking and valuable features are patented. Included in these are the all-steel parallel frame, new lever expander, side adjustment for handles, hollow steel standards, reversible hoes, sleeved bolt holes, an improved hinge plate, star wheel and standing clevis; each valuable in its place. With each horse hoe is sent out three extra teeth, to make it into a plain cultivator. The special features of this tool are shown and described in our Planet Jr. Catalogue, which will be mailed on application. List price $11.00. Our net Price only $9.00 or without wheel for $8.00. EXTRA ATTACHMENTS.--Furrowing steel $1.75; marking attachment $2.00; covering roller $1.75; 8 inch sweeps 35 cts. each; 10 inch sweeps 40 cts.; 12 inch 45 cts.; 15 inch 50 cts. Comstock's Seed Sower--Send for Illustrated Circular fully describing them and their uses. Will give perfect satisfaction in sowing any garden seed, from the smallest size up to Peas and Beans. It sows Beet, Parsnip and other difficult seeds to sow, with the greatest regularity, and is especially adapted to sowing Onion seed, either three, four, five or six pounds to the acre. A revolving disk which is held in place by a spring, regulates the quantity of seed sown. It can be changed instantly to sow either thick or thin. Price reduced to only $7.00.

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Comstock's Hand Cultivator and Weeder Combined--In the cultivation of all small-drill crops, [continued next page]