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IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 43.

[image] RELISH LETTUCE.

Novelties and Specialties for 1900.

''WHAT have you that is especially new and desirable this year?" is the first question asked us by many of our patrons. In the following pages on pink paper we give special prominence to some of our most important novelties and specialties this year. Each is faithfully described from careful observation. All are worthy and recommended by us. Aside from these, many desirable novelties will be found listed in various parts of the catalogue, as well as the standard sorts which everyone wants for stand-bys.

RELISH LETTUCE.
When visiting the place of one of our seed growers in California last summer we were greatly pleased with this fine new variety which we do not hesitate to call the best of all for family use. It is one of those rich buttery flavored sorts which after one becomes accustomed to, they always prefer to the crisp leaved varieties. It is the blanched yellow center of the head that is eaten with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. It is extra large and handsome, of unusual solidity and of most crisp, tender quality. It is the most desirable sort for family use and for market gardeners, either for forcing or growing in the open ground. Early and hardy. Pkt. 10c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00.

SUPERB TOMATO.
A choice Novelty for 1900.
It is indeed a superb new variety which is sure to please everyone with its high quality. It originated with one of our growers a few years ago and has been carefully selected to perfect the type. It is a sport from the old purple Mikado, retaining the robust healthy growth and potato-shape leaf of that variety, but the fruit is bright crimson, same color as the Matchless. It matures at mid-season and is the most productive variety that we ever grew and will undoubtedly be a very profitable sort for market gardeners. It is hardy and stands a frost which will kill other sorts, and it is also an excellent drouth resister. The fruits are smooth, of medium size, and superior quality. Last year most varieties of tomatoes were badly affected with blight, but we could not find any blight in this variety. In packets only of about 100 seeds 15c, 2 for 25c.
MAMMOTH GROUND CHERRY.
A Novelty of 1900.
For several years past we have thought that the Yellow Ground Cherry was a fruit which could be improved, and by hybridizing and selecting we have finally secured a mammoth size fruit fully 1 1/2 inches in diameter, which is of fine flavor. We predict great popularity for it. Have but little seed this year and so can only offer it in packets of 40 seeds. But we are sure thousands of our customers will want to try it. Price per pkt. 10c.
DWARF GOLDEN CHAMPION TOMATO.
For the market gardener this may be described as the best yellow variety of all. In dwarf, compact habit of growth and crumpled foliage the plant is an exact counterpart of the favorite Dwarf Champion, but the large, handsome fruits are of a beautiful lemon-yellow color. Never before have we had a yellow Tomato that was so large, solid, and fine flavored. Per pkt. 10c.

[image] HESTER SQUASH--"Good Enough for Fairies."

NEW HESTER SQUASH.
This extra choice new variety which we introduced last year may be called a yellow Sibley squash, as it [is] a strain of that well known variety which has been selected and improved by Mr. Wm. Hester for many years. The old Sibley or Pike's Peak has for many years past been considered the only variety which surpassed the Hubbard in quality every year. Mr. Hester secured a few seeds of the Sibley direct from the originator about 12 years ago, prior to its introduction. One of these produced a vine which bore fruit different from the type and color, and also much earlier. It is of same shape as the parent variety, but the color is of a pinkish yellow, slightly striped at the point with light green. They are early and quality is excellent even when fruit is quite small so that they can be used as an early summer squash. From that time until mid-winter they are the best of all squashes, and under proper conditions will hold their own until spring. One lady said after testing their delicate flavor, "They are good enough for fairies," and this suggested our illustration which represents the pet of our family--Lily Page--tasting the baked squash. When stewed or steamed they are drier than when baked, and they make the most delicious pies. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 35c.

AUSTRALIAN BROWN ONION.
A new medium sized, wonderfully hard and solid variety of onion, and one which is quite attractive for the market, both in form and color. They are extremely early in ripening, and produce a crop of fine bulbs which are very uniform in size. Color is a peculiarly clear amber-brown, quite distinct from any other variety. In keeping qualities it exceeds any other variety that we know of. The U. S. government purchased 200 sacks of these onions and 200 sacks of Yellow Globe Danvers for shipment to the Philippines. The latter spoiled in transit and had to be thrown out while the Australian Brown grown on the same farm reached Manilla in perfect condition, showing no signs of sprouting. We are sure it will please our customers, no matter whether they want an onion for marketing or for their own table use. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 60c, lb. $2.00.

Please Notice
The illustration of Vegable [Vegetable] Novelties
On Back Cover
of this Catalogue, and
Try Them This Year,
The collection of 8 Superb Novelties
For 40 Cts.

IMPROVED BISMARCK CUCUMBER.
An excellent variety with very long fruit, pointed at both ends, very uniform in shape, size and color, thus making it an excellent sort for marketing. Holds its dark green color well. Pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 25c, lb. 75c.
GRADUS PEAS.
The Finest, First-Early Wrinkled Pea.
This new extra early green wrinkled pea is an acquisition and will soon become one of our most popular varieties. We may now have large tender peas, sweet and delicious in early June. The Gradus will yield an abundant supply of the most tender wrinkled peas much earlier than other wrinkled varieties, and they proved to be, as claimed by the introducer, only three days later than the best stocks of the small extra earlies, such as First and Best, etc. It is also the earliest large podded pea in cultivation. The vine has heavy stems, with large dark green leaves, and grows from 2 1/2 to 3 feet in height. It produces uniformly large pods, measuring from 4 to 5 inches long, well filled with peas of enormous size for such an early variety. The peas remain edible, tender and sweet for some time. The Gradus is an ideal extra early, and we are confident that it is destined to become the leading early variety, both for the amateur and market gardeners. Per pkt. 10c, 1/2 pt. 20c, qt. 60c.

[image] AUSTRALIAN BROWN ONION