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42. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] Van Ornam's Favorite.

MILLS' PRIZE.--One of the largest potato growers in this state is now devoting most of his land to this variety claiming that it is the largest yielder of any and he can sell it in competition with the Colorado grown, as it is larger and the quality is so superior. Cooks quickly. We recommend it highly. Per pk. 40c, bu. $1.00, bbl. $2.50.

VAN ORNAM'S FAVORITE POTATO.--Mr. F. B. VanOrnam of this state is well known throughout the country as a prominent seed potato grower and has originated several of the best varieties of potatoes now on the market, amongst others VanOrnam's Earliest, Burpee's Extra Early and Great Divide. This year we have secured from him a most excellent new variety which he says he considers far superior to any other variety of potato for main crop that was ever sent out, and he has tested all varieties now on the market. It is a seedling of strong, erect, vigorous growth with plenty of dark green foliage which is quite tough and resists drouth, blight and insects the best of any variety. The tubers are long and round, sometimes slightly flattened, of pure white color and large to very large in size. They are quite uniform in this respect, there being few small ones indeed in the crop, so that they do not need grading before being marketed. The potatoes grow very compactly in the hill and moderately near the surface, thus making it easy to harvest. The eyes are plenty, but they are about level with the surface causing no inconvenience in peeling. It matures at medium season the ideal time for main crop potato; flesh is very white and mealy when cooked and quality unsurpassed; it is an extra long keeper, remaining sound and of fine flavor and appearance well into the following season. Mr. VanOrnam says it is without doubt the healthiest and greatest drouth and heat resister now on the market, and we send the potato out to our customers with the highest recommendations. We are very sorry, however, that stock is so small that we are unable to offer it in large quantities. Per lb. 50c, 3 lbs. $1.25 postpaid. By freight or express per 1/2 pk. 75c; per pk. $1.25. Do not fail to give this grand new variety a trial this year.

[image] RURAL NEW YORKER NO. 2.

WORLD'S FAIR.--A new potato of great value for general use. It is a first quality, strong grower, very prolific, main crop variety. Tubers are smooth and symmetrical; skin white, well covered with netting; flesh pure white, fine grained, mealy. Pk. 50c, bu. $1.35, bbl. $3.25.
COLLECTION.--1 lb. each of the above 13 varieties for $1.15 by express, purchaser to pay charges. One peck of each $5.00.
HYBRIDIZED POTATO SEED.--Potato seed from the flower ball, (the true seed.) It is from such seed that all the choice new varieties of potatoes are originated. Per pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. 25c, postpaid.

I received the barrel of potatoes you sent me and they were fine.--S. P. Swanson, Essex, Iowa.

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MAMMOTH WHITE ARTICHOKE.
An improvement on the Jerusalem artichoke. The greatest hog food known. These are attracting much attention on account of their great fattening properties, great productiveness, (over one thousand bushels having been grown on one acre,) and ease with which they can be grown. They need not be dug in the fall; the hogs should be turned on them, and will help themselves by rooting for them. One acre will keep from twenty to thirty head in fine condition from October to April, except when the ground is frozen too hard for them to root. They are also said to be a preventative of hog cholera and other diseases, and they are also highly recommended for milch cows, increasing the yield of milk and at the same time improving their condition. Three to five bushels will seed an acre, and they may be planted whole or cut the same as potatoes, one eye to a cut being sufficient. Plant in April or May, in rows three feet apart and two feet in the row and cover about two inches deep. To destroy them they should be plowed under when the plant is about a foot high, at the time the old tuber has decayed and new ones are not yet formed. Seed artichokes are quite scarce this year. Per lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight or express, pk. 50c, bu. $1.50, bbl. $3.25.

RURAL NEW YORKER NO. 2--One of the largest yielding varietiss [varieties] in existence. Large and unusually smooth, with few and shallow eyes; skin white, as is also the flesh, which is of superior quality. Medium late and best drouth resister. Per pk. 40c, bu. $1.00, bbl. $2.50.
EARLY BEAUTY OF HEBRON.--A standard early sort. Pk. 50c, bu. $1.25, bbl. $3.00.

CONCAVED AND CURVED SEED POTATO KNIFE.--It is thin and of the right shape to cut one, two and three eye pieces fast and not crack the tuber nor injure the germs. Each 35c, postpaid.

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SEED SWEET POTATOES.
For twenty years past our firm has been known as headquarters in central Iowa for choice seed sweet potatoes. Our stock is grown, stored and handled especially for seed purposes and cannot fail to please all. So perfect is our manner of packing that there is rarely a complaint, although they are usually considered very perishable, by reason of changes in the weather or rough handling, but we cannot guarantee safe delivery. Price subject to market changes. Write for price on large lots. We ship about April 12, usually. If desired we will send copy of our circular telling how to grow sweet potato plants, free; but it will pay you to read the book on Sweet Potato Culture by Fitz. Price 60c postpaid. See page 25 for price of plants.
EARLY YELLOW JERSEY.--In spite of the many so-called new varieties, all of which we have tested, the Early Yellow Jersey holds the first place. The earliest, most productive, of short, chunky shape, and of the very best quality. It is an improvement on the old Yellow Nansemond being of better shape and quality, and will probably always remain the most popular market sort. Potatoes are of good medium size and very few small ones. Per pk. 50c, bu. $1.40, bbl. $3.00.

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NEW GOLD COIN VINELESS.--A novelty of great merit which has been very popular during the past three years since its introduction. Instead of having long running vines like all other sorts it is of dwarf bush-like growth; leaves are large, shaped somewhat like a maple leaf and unlike any other kind of sweet potato. The tubers are yellow, of medium to large size and lie compactly in the hill. When cooked the flesh is rich yellow color, dry, sweet and of best possible quality. They are quite productive, an immense crop can be raised because owing to their peculiar manner of growth they can be planted closer together and require less labor in cultivation. Excellent keepers. By mail per lb. 40c, 3 lbs. $1.00. By freight peck 75c, bu. $2.00, bbl. $4.50.
RED JERSEY.--Similar in shape to our Early Yellow Jersey but of a dark red color. Quality excellent and it is without doubt the best of all the red varieties. Per peck 75c, bu. $2.00, bbl. $4.50.
WHITE SOUTHERN QUEEN.--These are the large "Yams" which are so popular in the south. Even the seed potatoes are monster size often weighing several pounds each. Peck 75c, bu. $2.00, bbl. $4.50.

Sweet Potatoes received all O. K., and they were fine.--T. A. W. Allabaugh, Marshall Co., Iowa.