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Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa.
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Selected Farm Seeds.

Our seed grain is grown especially for seed, in the section best suited to its development and perfect maturity, is all carefully selected, thoroughly cleaned, of the best quality, and we sell at reasonable prices.

Prices named in this department are subject to any important market changes. The prices are net and not subject to premium or discount which is offered on garden seeds.

Notice.--While we exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not give any warranty expressed or implied. Samples sent for testing it desired.

Shipping.--In this department everything that is quoted by the packet or pound is sent by mail postpaid; all large quantities, unless noted, are sent by express or freight at expense of the purchaser. Prices named include bags and delivering to depot here.

Seed Corn.

It costs less than 25 cents an acre to use our carefully selected and tested seed corn. Is it wise to risk doubtful corn when good seed is so cheap?

The varieties of field corn we offer are the best now in use. They were grown especially for seed purposes, and well matured, cured, carefully sorted by our seed corn experts, and shelled with great care. 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 the crops can be fully doubled by planting some of our improved varieties. We are in the center of the best corn growing country of the world, where the soil and climate are peculiarly adapted to its culture, and now we can say without fear of contradiction, that for the season of 1897 we have the best supply of seed corn ever offered by any seed firm in the world.

The necessity of planting the very best varieties is plain, and it will not pay you to experiment with the many sorts which we have tried and found worthless, nor to purchase from unscrupulous dealers. We claim to have supplied more farmers with seed corn last year than any other seed firm in the world ever did before. Some dealers, last year seeing the great success we had made in the seed corn trade, purchased common crib corn and sold it out untested and under fictitious names, and it made their customers a great amount of trouble. All our seed corn is very carefully tested, and none sent out that we are not certain will grow well under proper conditions. We do not warrant it, but we will mail samples for testing to prospective customers. If a large quantity is wanted, ask for prices. No extra charge for bags.

Iowa Silver Mine--The Great $1,000.00 Corn.

The most wonderful yielder, 215 bushels per acre with ordinary culture. It was in the spring of 1895 that we first saw this corn. We claim to be corn experts, and we have no money to throw away, but as soon as we examined it we purchased the entire stock for $1,000.00 cash. Our judgment was correct as proven by the past seasons crops which were the most marvelous ever grown. Just think of it! The average corn crop of the United States is only 28 bushels per acre, and there was more than seven times this amount of Iowa Silver Mine grown on one acre. Would you like to grow this kind of a crop? Plant Iowa Silver Mine corn, plant your whole farm to it. Adopt our new method of culture which will be sent free to every one ordering this variety of seed corn from us.

Description.--Stalk grows to a heighth of about seven or eight feet and sets the ears about three and one-half to four feet from the ground, just the right height for easy picking. One peculiarity we noticed in going over the field was that there were no barren stalks every one had an ear, many stalks had two good ears, and the originator says that that has been characteristic every year that he has grown it. It has not a large growth of fodder, having been bred essentially for grain, though it has plenty of blades to support the growth and it is as well rooted as any corn grown. The type is very even, so unusually so that in selecting exhibition ears for the fair in the field he could take the ears as he came to them with very few exceptions. Ears measuring from ten to twelve inches in length and weighing one and one-half pounds are not uncommon. Just think of it, 47 ears make a bushel. The ears are very uniform in size and shape, with sixteen to twenty straight rows (usually eighteen rows) of deep, pure white kernals [kernels] set on a small white cob, and the ears are well filled out over the tip. It is early, matured last year in less than ninety-five days, and has never been caught by the frost. The cob dries out rapidly so that it is ready for market earlier than any white field corn in existence, fully two weeks earlier than Champion White Pearl. We claim that it is the only strictly pure white corn now on the market. In its yield it will surpass all other varieties of any color. Seventy pounds of corn in the ear will make sixty-two pounds shelled. It is in every way a distinct type of corn, and possesses many of the characteristics which have made the Iowa Gold Mine so popular, while the ear is larger.

We stake our reputation upon this corn giving excellent and entire satisfaction and that it is an entirely new origination and not an old sort under a new name. It is hardy, a great drouth resister and summing it all up The best Corn ever Introduced. The acme of perfection, unsurpassed and unsurpassable. The largest ear 100-day corn in existence. We challenge competition. Don't fail to try it.

Award of Prizes.

Last year we offered $500.00 in prizes for the largest yield of corn grown on one acre in any part of the United States, and the Iowa Silver Mine surprized [surprised] everyone with the largest crop ever grown under ordinary conditions in the world. The first prize was awarded to Claus Jochimsen, of Scott county, Iowa, for a crop of 202 bushels and 50 pounds of Iowa Silver Mine corn in the ear grown on one acre of ground. When shelled this equalled 215 bushels and 20 pounds, being the most marvelous crop ever grown. Twenty-three varieties of corn competed but the Iowa Silver mine was awarded the following prizes also:

2nd prize, W. A. Johnson, Mississippi county, Arkansas. 188 bus.
3rd " Jacob Sceves, Nemaha county, Nebraska. 135 " 50 lbs.
4th " O. L. Smith, Ross county, Ohio. 135 " 25 "
5th " V. Green, Hunt county, Texas. 128 " 10 "
6th " Hiram H. Shaw, Medina county, Ohio. 102 " 25 "
7th " A. Cannon, Calhoun county, Michigan. 97 " 67 "
8th " Wm. Green, Will county, Illinois. 92 " 40 "
9th " Henry H. French, Genesee county, Michigan. 85 "

Average, 129 bushels 52 pounds per acre in ear, or 136 bushels 14 pounds shelled.

Now for 1897.

We shall offer liberal prizes as listed on page 16 of this catalogue. And further--to every one who orders Iowa Silver Mine Seed corn from us we will send free--full information as to how 215 bushels of corn were grown on one acre and instructions so that you can do as well. There is money in farming if you only know how. Don't be a snail; be progressive; adopt new methods, and use good seed. Figure out what your profit would be if your crop was that large. It will pay you to plant your entire field with this variety. You could pay off your farm mortgage in one year. Get your neighbors to order with you. Seed costs only about 30c per acre. Seed must be bought direct from us if you want it strictly pure.

Price, Postpaid or by Express Prepaid.--Per 2-oz. packet 10c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, 7 lbs. (will plant an acre) $1.00. Specimen ears, 25c each.

Price, by Freight or Express, Purchaser Paying Charges.--1/2 peck 50c, peck 75c, 1/2 bushel $1.25, bushel $2.00, 2 bushels or more @ $1.85, 10 bushels $17.50.

Order Early--There Is Sure To Be An Immense Demand.

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