1890

34. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

ONION--Ger. Zwiebel. One ounce will sow about 100 feet of drill; 4 pounds will sow one acre. This is, with perhaps the one exception of Cabbage, the most important crop grown, both in market and family gardens, and there is no other vegetable where the quality of the seed exerts a greater influence upon the crop than in Onions. There is more MONEY IN ONIONS grown from the seed than in almost any other crop. Those grown from our select HIGH GRADE ONION SEED possess the following qualifications of superior merit: 7 Points. Earliness, Productiveness, Reliability, Perfect Shaped Bulbs, Solidity, Fine Texture and Keeping Qualities. Sowing seed to produce large Onions is the cheapest, easiest, best, and most satisfactory way. Large onions can easily be grown the first year from the seed by obtaining our seed, which is all northern grown, and new, crop of 1889. It won't pay you to use the cheap imported or southern grown seeds, which produce a large proportion of scullions and Onions that will not keep well. Poor seed, even as a gift, is the dearest the planter can use. We want you to try OUR seed, and have therefore put the price down to as low a rate as good, reliable seed can be sold at. CULTURE--As early as the ground can be worked in the spring, sow the seed in drills fourteen inches apart, covering one-half inch. They should be in rich, sandy soil, which is as free from weeds as possible. Commence hoeing as soon as the 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 carefully and thoroughly by hand. When the tops die, pull and spread evenly over the ground; stir or turn until fully dried, then cut the tops one-half inch from the bulb.

[image] DRAWN FROM NATURE. No. 1, Extra Early Red; No. 2, Large Red Wethersfield; No. 3, Yellow Globe Danvers; No. 4, White Portugal; No. 5, Extra Early Pearl; No. 6, White Globe.

FOR PICKLES OR SETS--Good ground should be prepared as above, and the seed should be sown very thickly in broad drills, about 40 pounds to the acre for sets, and 15 to 20 lbs. for pickling. For sowing onion seed and cultivating crop it will pay you to purchase a good drill and hand cultivator, see description elsewhere. Lang's Hand Weeder (price 30 cents, postpaid) is the best hand-weeder made. Try it. EXTRA EARLY PEARL--Earliest of all. Pearly white translucent, growing almost with the rapidity of a Radish, form flat, flavor very mild. Wonderfully fine. Try it; per lb. $2.50; 1/4 lb. 80c; oz. 25c... 10. Extra Early Red--Very early, matures about two weeks before the Wethersfield; per lb. $1.50 ; 1/4 lb. 45c; oz. 15c... 5. White Portugal, Silver Skin--Matures early, very mild flavor, medium size, and generally preferred for table use; not a good keeper; per lb. $2.40; 1/4 lb. 70c; oz. 25c. 5. LARGE RED WETHERSFIELD--The standard sort throughout the West, as they are more hardy, and immense crops can be raised, when more tender varieties would fail. They grow to a large size, fine form; skin deep purplish red, moderately fine grained and strong flavor. Very productive and an excellent keeper. For shipping purposes it is considered one of the best, as it will bear almost any amount of handling without any apparent injury. We offer Iowa grown seed, extra select,--5 lbs. or more by express, at $1.20 per pound, or postpaid per lb. $1.40; 1/4 lb. 45c; oz. 15c... 5. Large Red Wethersfield--Eastern grown per lb. $1.20; 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 15c... 5. YELLOW GLOBE DANVERS--A very handsome, round or globe-shaped variety, of large size, with thin yellow [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.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 35. [continued from previous page] skin, white flesh, fine grained, mild, very firm, and the best of keepers. It ripens early and sells readily at the highest prices in our markets; per lb. $1.25; 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 15c... 5. LARGE WHITE GLOBE--The handsomest market variety we have ever seen. Large size, oval form, very even, mild and pleasant flavor, good keeper, out-sells every other variety; per lb. $2.40; 1/4 lb. 70c; oz. 25c... 5. Southport Red Globe--Differs from above only in color; per lb. $1.70; 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c... 5.

[image]

IMPORTED VARIETIES. Most of these varieties grow to an enormous size, and are more mild flavored than any of the above. We recommend all to try at least a few for their own home use, or for early market. They do not keep well in this climate. The imported onion seed does not as a rule vegetate as the American grown, and therefore seed should be sown somewhat thicker. COPPER KING--The largest of all. See novelties; per lb. $3.00; 1/4 lb. $1.00; oz. 35c... 10. Marzagole--Large silvery Onion; per lb. $3; 1/4 lb. 80c; oz. 20c... 5. NEW MAMMOTH SPANISH KING--This is the new celebrated Spanish fancy Onion, which is annually imported from Spain, and sold by confectioners and fruit dealers in all the larger cities. They do well in this country, and have been grown here to the weight of 3 3/4 pounds. Skin is of a rich yellow color, while flesh is pure white, sweet, mild and tender; per lb. $2.65; 1/4 lb. 75c; oz. 25c... 10. New Queen--A very nice extra early silver skinned Onion, the best keeper of the foreign sorts. Very mild flavored and excellent for pickling; per lb. $2.40; 1/4 lb. 70c; oz. 20c... 5.

Giant Rocca--Very large, frequently weighing three and one-half pounds. Globular form, mild, delicate flavor; per lb. $2.00; 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c... 5. Paris White Pickling or Small Silver Skin--For pickling. This is of small size, silvery white, and used almost entirely for pickling on account of its small size, handsome appearance and mild flavor; per lb. $1.60; 1/4 lb. 50c; oz. 15c... 5.

ONION SETS. See List of Vegetable Plants and Roots. MAMMOTH SILVER KING--Grows uniformly larger than any other Onion in cultivation, except the Copper King. The bulbs are of attractive shape, as shown by the illustration. The average diameter of well grown specimens is from five to seven and one-half inches. Single bulbs have been grown to weigh over four and one-half pounds. The skin is a beautiful silvery white, flesh white, sweet and pleasant, and can be eaten raw like an apple; per lb. $2.70; 1/4 lb. 80c; oz. 25c... 10.

PARSNIPS--Ger. Pastinake. One ounce will sow 200 feet of drill; five pounds to acre. Sow early in spring in good rich soil, which has been plowed deep, in drills fifteen inches apart, covering half an inch. Thin to five or six inches apart in rows. They are improved by frost.

[image]

Long Sugar or Hollow Crown--The standard for either table use or stock feeding, very tender, sugary, excellent flavored, large sized, white and smooth; per lb. 50c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. IOWA SEED CO.'S IMPROVED GUERNSEY--The best variety grown. Try it. See novelties; per lb. 75c; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 15c... 5.

March 5, 1889. I must say the seeds ordered of you last year have done excellently. J. R. KAGARICE, Loysburg, Penn.

36. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

PEAS--Ger. Erbse. One quart will plant about 100 feet of drill.

[image]

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, or, what is still better, select several kinds which will form a succession in maturing, and sow all at about the same time. Sow in drills two to four feet apart, according to varieties, not less than four inches deep for general crop, although the first earlies will come to maturity sooner if only covered one and one half to two inches. Wrinkled sorts are marked *. They should be sown thicker in the row than the smooth varieties as they are more liable to rot. Our seed peas are of the very best quality obtainable, and we believe cannot fail to please the most critical. Mulching lightly between the rows with straw is recommended to prevent mildew.

PRICES INCLUDE POSTAGE. See special prices by the peck and bushel, at the end of Vegetable List. 15c. per quart discount if sent by express.

IOWA'S CHALLENGE--The best extra early variety grown, either for gardeners or private use. Don't fail to try it. See novelties; per qt. 50c; pt. 30c... 10. Rural New Yorker--In our trial grounds, before the introduction of the Alaska, this proved to be the earliest of all, and the most even in growth and maturity; eighty to ninety per cent of the pods can be removed at one picking. Our stock is from the introducer; per qt, 40c; pt. 20c. 5. First and Best--One of the earliest and most generally used varieties. It is an improvement on the Philadelphia Extra Early. Popular on account of its uniformity in ripening. Pods good size and well filled with smooth Peas of excellent flavor; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. Carter's First Crop--Very early and quite productive; height 30 inches, and giving a large crop for so early a pea; per qt. 30c, pt. 15c... 5.

EARLY VARIETIES.

[image] CLEVELAND'S ALASKA. EARLIEST PEA GROWN. A. BLANC.

CLEVELAND'S ALASKA--Height 2 feet; pods fine shape, dark green color, remarkably well filled, often seven to nine peas; the earliest pea known, being two days earlier than the Rural New Yorker, and 90 per cent of the pods can be gathered at the first picking. The dark green color of the pods makes it extremely desirable as it can be carried long distances without losing color. Per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5.

[image]

*BLISS AMERICAN WONDER--The earliest and most prolific dwarf wrinkled Pea, unsurpassed for early sowing. 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; per qt. 50c; pt. 30c... 5. *McLean's Little Gem--The most popular variety for private gardens; very sweet; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. Tom Thumb--Very scarce; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. White Field--Per qt. 25c... 5. Blue Field--Per qt. 25c... 5.

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. 37.

*PREMIUM GEM--Height one foot, early and prolific. A type of, and an improvement on the Little Gem. Pods long and of a dark green color. Don't fail to plant at least a few of these if you want extra nice sweet peas; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. Blue Peter, or Blue Tom Thumb--Similar to above, except in color; seed blue; pods large and well filled with delicious and large sized peas; per qt. 45c; pt. 25c... 5. *Laxton's Alpha--One of the very earliest wrinkled peas in cultivation; very prolific, fine flavor; pods well filled with large sweet peas; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. Kentish Invicta--Seed green; very early and preferred by canners, on account of its uniformity and productiveness; per qt. 35c; pt. 20c... 5. Philadelphia Extra Early--Per qt. 35c; pt. 20c... 5. Early Kent, or Dan O'Rourke--Per qt. 30c; pt. 15c... 5.

FOR GENERAL CROP. STRATAGEM--See Novelty List. Per qt. 50c; pt. 30... 5. *IMPROVED ADVANCER--Seed green, wrinkled; height two feet; next to Little Gem in earliness, pods large and filled with peas of a delicious flavor; a very popular variety both for family and market purposes; per qt. 50c; pt. 30c... 5. Dwarf White Marrow--Similar in quality to the tall variety, but much earlier, and does well without bushing. Good yielder, much prized by gardeners; per qt. 35c; pt. 20c... 5. *Champion of England--Universally admitted by all to be one of the richest and best flavored peas grown. It is very popular, and will bring a higher price in the market than any other; per qt. 35c; pt. 20c... 5. *BLISS' ABUNDANCE--Height 20 inches; time of ripening medium; remarkably strong vigorous branching habit and unusually productive, often sending out three or more branches; pods of fair size well filled with peas of good quality; per qt. 45c; pt. 25c... 5. *BLISS' EVER-BEARING--Height 2 feet, late to very late; hardy, vigorous, enormous cropper; pods and peas of large size and good quality; per qt. 50c; pt. 25c... 5. White Marrowfat--Per qt. 30c; pt. 15c... 5. Black-Eyed Marrowfat--This is extensively grown as a field pea; very productive, height about four feet; per qt. 30c; pt. 15c. 5. *Yorkshire Hero--One of the largest and handsomest peas grown. Very prolific, and of fine flavor; per qt. 40c; pt. 20c... 5. Dwarf Sugar--Edible pods, use like Snap Beans. Very vigorous and prolific, quality excellent. If you have never grown sugar Peas try them this year; per qt. 45c; pt. 25c... 5.

PEPPER--Ger. Pfeffer. One ounce will produce about 1,800 plants. Sow seed in hot-bed early in spring; transplant to open ground when the weather is favorable, in warm, mellow soil, in rows eighteen inches apart. Seeds germinate slowly and require considerable heat. RED CLUSTER--This very handsome new variety is a sport of the Chili, which it slightly resembles, the leaves and fruits are smaller, while it is much more productive, the fruits being curiously crowded together on each branch, making the plants extremely ornamental as well as useful. The Peppers are very hot and of a conspicuous coral red color; per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c... 5.

[image]

RUBY KING--This new Pepper has given most excellent satisfaction everywhere. The Peppers often attain a very large size. Ordinarily they grow 4 1/2 to 6 inches long by 3 1/2 to 4 inches thick. When ripe they are of a beautiful, bright, ruby red color; and are always remarkably mild and pleasant to the taste. The plant is of sturdy, bushy habit, and each plant produces from 6 to 12 large handsome fruits; per 1/4 lb. 70c; oz. 20c... 5. NEW CELESTIAL--This new pepper, from China, one of the most ornamental varieties we have ever seen and is so beautiful in growth that it deserves a prominent place in the flower garden. Up to the time they are fully ripe they are of a delicate creamy yellow color, then suddenly changing to an intense vivid scarlet. They are all carried upright, and the brilliant contrast in colors makes a plant loaded with fruits an object of the most striking beauty and oddity. The peppers are of superior quality, of a clear, sharp flavor; per 1/4 lb. $1.25; oz. 40c... 10.

March 15, 1889. It is with pleasure I send again for seeds. Those of last Spring were just splendid. Mrs. MARY GUIRE, Polo, Ills.

38. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

CORAL GEM BOUQUET--See novelties, in packets only... 10. Red Chili--Small, very hot, used everywhere for pepper sauce; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c... 5.

[image]

NEW MAMMOTH GOLDEN QUEEN--This handsome new Pepper, grows to twice the size of Golden Dawn, and averaging a third larger than Ruby King, of the most perfect shape and uniform large size. Each plant ripens from twelve to sixteen perfect fruits, from eight to ten inches long. In color they are bright, waxy, golden yellow, and so mild in flavor they can be eaten like tomatoes, with pepper and vinegar. Seed should be sown early, in hot bed or box in house. Per 1/4 lb. $1; oz. 30c... 5. Large Bell, or Bull Nose--Early standard sort; per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c... 5. Sweet Mountain, or Mammoth--Similar to above, but milder; per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. 5. Red Cayenne--Per 1/4 lb. 90c; oz. 25c... 5. Golden Dawn Mango--A handsome Mango Pepper. Very sweet, and entirely exempt from the firey flavor peculiar to most other varieties; per 1/4 lb. 60c; oz. 20c... 5.

SEED POTATOES. See list of choice varieties on another page.

PUMPKIN--Ger. Kurbis. One pound will plant about 250 hills. Principally used for agricultural purposes but there has been a great improvement in the varieties during the past few years, by the introduction and hybridization of foreign varieties with our old sorts. Plant in hills eight feet apart in May among potatoes, or corn, or in open field. Do not plant near squashes. KING OF MAMMOTHS--See description in Novelty List. Per 1/4 lb. 65c; oz. 20c. 10. Connecticut Field--This is the common field or cow Pumpkin, grown principally for stock. Immense crops can be grown by planting the seed among corn. In this way, as many as five tons have been grown on one acre, without any detriment to the corn; per bu. by express or freight, $3; pk. 90c; lb. by mail, 30c; 1/4 lb. 10c; oz... 5. Cushaw Crook-Neck--For table use; per lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 40c; oz. 10c... 5.

[image]

Tennessee Sweet Potato--An excellent variety for pies; pear shaped, of medium size, flesh and skin creamy white, fine grained, very sweet and delicious, a first-rate keeper; (See cut.) Per lb. 80c; 1/4 lb. 25c; oz. 10... 5. Mammoth Tours--A French variety which grows to an immense size; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10... 5. Mammoth Etampes Bright Red--This giant variety is from France, where it is quite celebrated. It has been grown in this country to enormous size, it is of a bright, glossy, red color, and makes a splendid variety to grow for exhibition purposes; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c... 5. Large Cheese--Per lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Sweet, or Sugar--Not large, but very sweet and an excellent table variety. This is the noted New England Pie Pumpkin; per lb. 60c; 1/4 lb. 20c; oz. 10c... 5. Negro--A small variety of peculiar shape and color. Very fine grain, extra fine for cooking; per lb. $1; 1/4 lb. 30c; oz. 10c. 5.

Mammoth P. & S. Collection. As an inducement for all to try the Mammoth Squashes and Pumpkins we will send you postpaid one packet each, King of Mammoths, Mammoth Bright Red Etampes, Mammoth Tours Pumpkin and Mammoth Chili Squash for 20 cents. Don't fail to try these and exhibit your products at your County Fair. We will send exhibition cards for use at your fair free.

RADISH--Ger. Rettig. One ounce will sow about 100 feet of drill. Radish seed should be sown in light, rich soil as early as the ground can be worked, and for a succession, at intervals of two weeks until mid-summer. Radishes must be grown quickly, and have plenty of room or they will invariably be tough and pithy. Sow in drills one foot apart and thin to one or three inches apart as soon as the rough leaves appear. Most of our Radish seed was grown for us in France, "the natural home of Radishes," and we think it cannot be surpassed.

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.