15

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 13.

WATERMELON.
One ounce is required for forty hills; three pounds will plant an acre.
A light, sandy soil, with good exposure to the sun, is the best for Watermelons. It should be prepared deep, but receive shallow cultivation. Hoe often and thoroughly. Plant in hills eight to ten feet apart each way. Plant eight to ten seeds in a hill, and finally, when danger of insects is past, leave but three strong plants. Thousands of melon growers annually depend on us for their seeds and are universally pleased, claiming that nowhere have they ever obtained seeds so pure and reliable. It pays to have the best. Packets contain about 100 seeds.
BLUE GEM.--See Novelties. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 45c, lb. $1.25.
ORANGE.--See Novelties. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 20c.
COLE'S EARLY.--Decidedly the finest early variety for the private garden, but is too brittle for long shipments. It is very early and will mature further north than most other sorts. Of medium size, very productive, continuing to bear throughout the season. Flesh of bright red color, of granulated, sparkling appearance. In flavor it is lusciously sweet and refreshing. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
PEERLESS, or ICE CREAM.--(White seeded.) Of unquestionable quality, very early, of medium size, thin rind, flesh bright scarlet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
FORDHOOK EARLY.--Has proved to be the largest early variety on the list. From seeds planted May 10th, ripe melons were produced the last of July. The rind is tough, making it valuable for shipping. Color a uniform medium green; flesh red and very sweet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
WONDERFUL SUGAR.--We are greatly pleased with this variety which we found growing in Nebraska. The gentleman on whose place they were growing is an enthusiast on melons and after testing quite a number of varieties, all persons present united in pronouncing the Wonderful Sugar by far the best. It is a large melon, averaging about 35 pounds each. They are long, rather light-colored, mottled and irregularly striped with dark green; rind rather thin and tough. Flesh a delicate red, and the most tender, juicy and luscious that can be imagined. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 70c.

[image] COLE'S EARLY.

DUKE JONES.--This magnificent large melon has a dark rind slightly striped, flesh bright red, very juicy and delicious. It matures medium early, is very prolific and much larger than the Kolb's Gem. A carload of 800 melons averaging 43 pounds each were gathered from two-thirds of an acre. A prominent grower writes that they produced ripe melons sixty-five days from planting. Very desirable both for shipping and for the family garden. Everyone who has a place to grow melons should try this splendid new variety. It has been grown to immense size and even the largest specimens hold their good flavor. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 85c.
DIXIE.--Very popular with melon growers in some sections. Is a cross between Kolb's Gem and Mountain Sweet, surpassing the former in shipping qualities and fully equaling the latter in fine eating quality and flavor. It is from 8 to 10 days earlier than either, has a remarkably thin, tough rind, and will keep and ship well. Each vine matures 7 to 8 large melons. The flesh is bright scarlet, of fine quality almost down to the skin. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c.
GYPSY, or GEORGIA RATTLESNAKE.--A superior early market variety; large, oblong, the skin green mottled and striped. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 70c.

[image] DUKE JONES MELON.

KOLB'S GEM.--This variety, on account of its excellent shipping qualities, is extensively grown for that purpose. Grow nearly round, and the color is a dark green with lighter narrow stripes. Very thin and tough rind. Flesh bright red and of good flavor. Our seed is choice. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 15c, lb. 45c.
PRIDE OF GEORGIA.--Very popular with Des Moines growers. It is of a dark green mottled color, nearly oval, somewhat ridged; grows partly upon its end, is firm, will ship well, attains a large size, and is very sweet and crisp. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
GREEN AND GOLD.--Large size. Flesh as yellow as gold. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
SWEET HEART.--Early, large, handsome, heavy, good shipper, long keeper, bright color and of good quality. Carloads of Sweet Hearts were sold at fancy prices in the market when no other sorts were saleable [salable]. Its vines are vigorous and productive, ripening its fruit early. The fruit is large, oval, very heavy, uniformly mottled light green and dark green. Rind thin but firm. The flesh is bright red, firm, solid but very tender, melting and sweet. Fruit remains in condition for use longer than any other sort. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 65c.

[image] SWEET HEART WATERMELON.

NABOB.--We are so much pleased with our tests of this fine new variety that we want to share the enjoyment of it with our customers. It is decidedly distinct and attractive, having a peculiarly mottled color of shell. Flesh deepest scarlet, firm and solid, but melting and juicy, and of luscious flavor. Its hardy vines are vigorous, healthy and productive, its fruit large and heavy. The fruit keeps long in good condition and is not excelled for shipping. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
VICK'S EARLY.--Highly prized for its extra earliness. Oblong in shape, smooth, size medium, flesh bright pink, solid and sweet. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 70c.
CUBAN QUEEN.--Flesh bright red, luscious, crisp and sugary. An excellent keeper. Large size. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20, lb. 65c.
PHINNEY'S EARLY.--Early, medium size, and quite productive. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
MOUNTAIN SWEET.--The old standard. Best quality. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 60c.
MIXED WATERMELONS.--25 Varieties of the finest watermelons, the largest, earliest, sweetest. Grown separately and seed carefully mixed by us. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.

CITRON MELON.
COLORADO PRESERVING.--Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00.
RED SEEDED CITRON.--Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00.
APPLE PIE.--The best flavored of all. Per pkt. 10c.