1900

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 49.

[image]

NEW CENTURY WONDER CORN. A most wonderful variety from South America, different in many respects from any other sort. Instead of growing like ordinary corn, one stalk from each kernel planted, it stools out like winter wheat producing ten to twenty stalks from each seed so that it is only necessary to plant one kernel of corn to each hill. There are frequently 3 to 7 ears to the stalk and the ears are quite uniform in size and shape, being 8 to 10 inches long, and of the most clear snowy white color, so that dry, ripe ears appear exactly like young roasting ears of sweet corn just ready for the table. It is of excellent quality when used on the table like sweet corn, yielding, of course, a much larger crop and when dry and ground makes the clearest, finest, whitest meal you ever saw. It will rise like wheat flour and can be used in bread, biscuits, pies and cakes, and is therefore sometimes called Flour Corn. Yields 10 to 160 bushels per acre. The IOWA STATE REGISTER in its Farm Department says: "This wonderful corn which was grown about four miles northwest of Des Moines, grows 10 to 12 feet high, produces 3 to 7 ears on a stalk and 10 to 20 stalks to the hill from one grain of seed planted. The ears are about 9 inches long and it yielded 75 bushels on half an acre. It makes the finest of stock food when cut for fodder and produces many times as much as ordinary corn." We believe this corn will prove of great value every where for use as sweet corn, to grind into meal, to feed hogs, cattle and horses and and as a fodder plant. Plant early as it requires the whole season to mature in this latitude.

BROMUS INERMIS. This wonderful new grass of comparatively recent introduction in this conntry has been very highly recommended by the U. S. Agricultural Department and by grass specialists in all parts of the country. It has been thoroughly tested and found to adapt itself to a great variety of soils and climate, but is of special value for the prairies of the west and cold regions of the north, especially for the dry sandy soils of some parts of Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Montana and the Dakotas, where it is largely sown with alfalfa. It will produce a wonderful crop of hay on land which is too poor for clover or timothy, and it resists intense cold, and also the most hot, dry weather. Forms a quick and dense sod either on sandy or stiff clay soils and is a permanent grass which does not kill out with any kind of weather. Grows 18 inches to 36 inches in height and can be cut two or three times per year and is equally desirable as a pasture grass. Has given good results as far south as central Texas. It is very nutritious and greatly liked by all kinds of stock both for hay and pasture. Every farmer and stock raiser should give it a trial. Seed should be sown early in spring using 20 to 25 lbs. per acre if sown alone or if sown with Alfalfa use 12 lbs. with 8 lbs. Alfalfa. Price for best grade of seed, per lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight per bushel (14 lbs.) $2.25, 50 lbs. $8.00; 100 lbs. $15.00.

Nov. 27, 1899.--I consider the Bromus Inermis a profitable variety for growing in this section of the country and expect to plant more of it another year.--H. Schnackenberg, Thayer Co., Neb.

[image] BROMUS INERMIS

My brother sowed some of your new grass, Bromus Inermis in the spring of 1898 with several other varieties of grass seed. All others killed out last winter except the Bromus. It has proved to be earlier than Blue Grass and makes fine hay and pasture. He has the cattle on it now (Dec. 2) and it is as green as in the summer.--John Bade, Colfax Co., Neb.

HAYNES' PEDIGREE WHEAT. We cannot too highly recommend this grand new variety as being the best kind of spring wheat in existence and are sure it will please everyone who tries it. It was originated by Mr. L. H. Haynes, who has spent eight years in selecting and improving it in his garden, each year choosing all the largest and best heads and discarding all the balance. This continued selection has had the effect of improving it in vigor, size of head and quality. For the past few years he has been growing it as a farm crop, taking the greatest pains each season to keep it strictly pure and by going through the fields and removing everything that was not of ideal quality, he now has a variety which is sure to please all wheat growers. The heads are very large and well filled out, the kernel is hard, the plant stools greatly and, under ordinarily favorable conditions, will yield 40 to 50 bushels per acre. It is an improvement on the old Velvet Chaff or Blue Stem wheat, but fully five days earlier in maturing. We most highly recommend this variety to customers everywhere in the wheat growing belt, and are sure that it will greatly please them in every respect. Per pk. 65c, bushel $2.00, 2 bushels or more at $1.85.

I was very much pleased with Haynes' Pedigree Blue Stem Wheat last year. The weather was very unfavorable for small grain, but it yielded nearly double the crop that my other wheat did and of much better quality.--George Rubes, Dickinson Co., Iowa. Haynes' Pedigree Wheat yielded a crop of 835 bushels on my place last year making an average of 41 bushels per acre, and tested 60 pounds from the machine, No. 1 hard. St. Paul inspectors say that it is as fine a milling wheat as they ever saw.--L. D. Hause, Ramsey Co., Minn.

NEW ERA COW PEAS. A novelty of great merit in that it is the earliest variety of Cow Peas in existence and therefore most decidedly the best for growing in the northern states. Throughout the south, cow peas are considered one of their most profitable crops, as they yield immensely and are largely used as a green summer feed and also for planting in corn and other crops and plowing under as a fertilizer. All their varieties, however, are too late for the north, but after considerable inquiry we found a small lot of a new variety which had never been disseminated, producing about three crops per year in Georgia, and maturing in 60 days from time of planting. It was tested in this latitude and in Minnesota and gave excellent results, producing well, and proved to be all right as to season of maturing. They are a great soil invigorator, as like clover, they take most of their subsistence from the air. Per large pkt. 5c, lb. 30c, 3 lbs. for 80c, postpaid. By freight, peck $1.25, bushel $3.75.

Your New Era Cow Peas made as fine a crop as I ever saw. The cattle were fond of them both as green fodder and dry and would leave corn when they could get the Cow Peas. They were very early, yielded an immense crop and you cannot say too much about them.--J. E. Browne, Polk Co., Iowa.

A COMPARISON.--A crop of wheat is considered a fair yield if it produces ten-fold or ten bushels to each bushel sown. The New Century Wonder is not satisfied with ten-fold, a hundred-fold, a thousand-fold or ten thousand-fold, but it is claimed that in a field you can find hills grown from one kernel which bear 20,000 to 40,000 kernels. Of course the entire crop will not average that, but it is wonderful, just think of it, 40,000 to 1. If we had wheat that was that productive you could afford to pay $1,000.00 per bushel for the seed and make money from the investment the first year. Seed has been sold here at $1.00 per pint and is cheap at that when you consider its wonderful character but we want everyone to try it and have made a low price. Don't fail to plant at least a small patch, and thus obtain plenty of seed of your own growing for another year. Per pkt. 10c, 1/4 lb. 20c, lb. 50c, 2 1/2 lbs. (enough to plant one acre), $1.00 postpaid.

TRY SPILTZ. See description on page 35. Emil Shuman, of Sherman Co., Neb., says; "I tested your new grain called Spiltz this year, and though we had a very dry summer, it did well. It stooled out heavily; each kernel produced 28 to 45 sprouts and every sprout had a nice head averaging three inches in length. The straw was very stiff, and I do not think it will lodge even on rich soil and it is a heavy yielder."

[image] HAYNES' PEDIGREE WHEAT.

50. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] DOUBLE CALLIOPSIS

NEW DOUBLE CALIOPSIS. Everyone who knows the old fashioned single Caliopsis or Correopsis loves it, as it is one of the most showey [showy] flowers for bedding, and the colors are so brilliant that the popular name, "Bright Eyes," has been given them. It has for many years been a great favorite with thousands of flower lovers. What will you say now to having a new double Calliopsis? We know that you will be delighted with it as it is one of the most attractive and beautiful flowers in existence. They grow very quickly from seed, blooming in a few weeks after seed is sown, and if flowers are removed as they begin to fade the plants will be loaded with bloom throughout the summer and fall, and until severe freezing weather. Our illustration shows a plant covered with flowers, and also a separate flower. In color it is brightest golden yellow, almost a dazzling hue, distinctly marked, striped and blotched, with rich dark brown or maroon, having a very velvety appearance. It is not only a showy bedding plant but the cut flowers are of great value for bouquets, retaining their freshness for a long time after cutting. In some of the flowers the petals are smooth and lie flat, some are cup shaped, and others are beautifully fringed. It is of the easiest culture, as the seeds may be sown at any time in the spring where plants are to grow or start in a seed bed, and transplant when large enough, setting the plants 6 to 8 inches apart, to make a handsome row. We most highly recommend it to our customers, knowing that it will please everyone. Per pkt. 10c.

CHAMELEON CHRYSANTHEMUM. This was the most popular novelty throughout Europe last year, and one which is sure to please flower lovers. It is a new and entirely distinct type of this showy garden annual, producing very large single flowers of changeable colors. When they first open the black-purple center is surrounded with a yellow ring, which is again zoned with crimson, while the outer margin of the flower is of a coppery bronze color. In a few days the copper shade gradually changes to yellow. As the plants continuously produce many flowers, and as they are in all stages of maturity the color effect is greatly varied and pleasingly contrasted, very effective for cutting, as well as showy for growing in the garden. Per pkt. 10c.

AMERICAN IMPROVED HOLLYHOCK. For several years past one of our growers has been selecting the choicest plants, those which were of most healthy, sturdy growth and produced the largest number of perfectly double flowers. He has this year saved a quantity of the seed for us and we offer it at 7 cents per packet.

GIANT SCARLET GROUND CHERRY. OR CHINESE LANTERN PLANT. A remarkable novelty which is being widely advertised under various names, but its botanical name is Physalis Francheti. The plant grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, of sturdy, upright growth and is loaded with baloon [balloon]-like husks 3 to 3 1/2 inches in diameter. These husks are at first light green, gradually turning to bright yellow and then to the most intense orange scarlet. At this period of growth the plant is strikingly suggestive of being hung with hundreds of miniature Chinese lanterns, as the bright scarlet husks have the appearance of lights in the midst of the green foliage. Inside of these husks is the fruit, which is of a deep, ruby red color and of excellent flavor either as a fresh fruit for dessert or preserving or dried in sugar for fruit cakes or puddings. It is a perennial, the roots living over winter in the ground and producing a far better crop the second year. Does better on rather poor soil. Per pkt. 10c. Strong plants 10c each, for 25c, doz. 75c.

[image] CHAMELEON CHRYSANTHEMUM.

[image] GIANT SCARLET GROUND CHERRY.

GOOD VENTURE GERANIUM. Yes, you can grow good Geraniums from seed, and as they sport the gardener is frequently rewarded by charming new varieties, and may obtain a novelty of much value, especially if this new strain of seed is used. When visiting the fields of a geranium specialist in California this season we noticed one lot of several hundred plants which were particularly fine. The grower was hybridizing these for seed, and we made arrangements at once for the stock, paying more than a dozen times what ordinarily good seed would cost us. We wanted something fine and knew that this could not fail to please our customers. The plants from which seed was saved were the finest varieties from all parts of the world, including some particularly choice novelties as yet unnamed. They are GIANT FLOWERING, the florets being round and of most perfect form and borne in splended trusses, some of them forming balls of such immense size that we fear to state size lest our customers will think we are exaggerating. The colors are of all shades of crimson, scarlet, salmon, pink rose, snowy white and all the new auriole types with beautiful veinings, shadings, edgings and clear eyes. If seed is sown early they will make fine flowering plants the first summer, and the second they show their true quality, and greatly superior types. Start seed in the hot-bed or shallow boxes of rich soil in a warm, sunny window, covering only one-eighth inch in depth. As soon as large enough, transplant to small pots until the weather is quite warm, when they may be planted out in the flower bed for summer blooming. They will come into bloom more quickly if planted in light, sandy soil. Per pkt. 15c.

The seeds we purchased of you last year gave splendid satisfaction.--Mrs. C. B. McFall, Andover, Mo. Was very much pleased with the seed I got from you last year, and want to try them again.--Mrs. M. A. Lampson, Goodell, Ia.

25 Cts. Worth of Seeds FREE. That is we give you $1.25 worth of seeds in packets and ounces for only $1.00. This special offer does not apply to seeds in bulk or to any other goods.

[image] OUR FIELD OF GOOD VENTURE GERANIUMS.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 51.

[image] DOUBLE SWEET PEAS.

MADAM GUNTER'S HYBRIDS NASTURTIUMS. For richness and variety of colors these new hybrids have no equals among the nasturtiums. The foliage is mostly dark, contrasts very effectively with the flowers. They are climbers and are free continuous bloomers. Color of flowers is most gorgeous, ranging from white through all the shades of pink, red, carmine, crimson, salmon, golden yellow to the deepest brown and maroon--nearly black, all striped, shaded and blotched in an indescribable manner. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c.

DOUBLE SWEET PEAS. By years of hybridization and selection the new double flowered sweet peas have been produced, and they are not only beautiful but the flower is quite lasting. About half of the plants from this seed produce flowers which are double and semidouble. Our mixture contains all the best varieties yet brought out, white, rose, crimson, maroon, lavender, striped, etc. Be sure to try them. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, lb. 40c.

BLUE SOLANUM. A most beautiful perennial vine of rapid growth. The handsomely cut foliage makes a beautiful shade for porch or arbor, and is also desirable to train along fences, etc. It is covered during the summer months with hundreds of clusters of blue flowers, set off with golden stamens. Perfectly hardy. Flowers succeeded by scarlet berries. Per pkt. 10c. Plants 25c each.

THE IRISH SHAMROCK. An editorial in Irish World says that doubt has for many years existed as to what plant was adopted as the national emblem of Ireland, more than twenty varieties being known under that name in different portions of that country. After careful investigation and consultation with prominent horticulturists, it was decided that Trifolium minus is the original Shamrock. It is very scarce, and was supposed to be extinct until a few years ago, when a few plants sprang up from soil which had recently been plowed for the first time in one huudred years or more. We have secured some of the seed from Ireland believing that every Irish family will want to sow a little of it in their garden to awaken patriotic feelings. Plant it on St. Patrick's day if weather is favorable. Per pkt. 10c.

BLUE BELLS. Who has not heard of the "Bonnie Blue Bells of Scotland," which have been renowned in poetry and song for centuries past? The flowers are bell-shaped, and of a bright, sky-blue color, from four to ten flowers in a cluster. Might almost be called a Blue Lily of the Valley. It is a perfectly hardy perennial. Pkt. 10c, plants 15c each.

[image] MADAM GUNTER'S HYBRIDS NASTURTIUMS.

AFRICAN WATER LILIES. Nothing in the floral world has created so much interest among lovers of rare plants as these gorgeous red, white and blue Water Lilies, and when it becomes generally known how easily they can be grown everybody who loves choice flowers and can have a tank or tub of water will have them. They are easily grown and bloom in three or four months from the time of sowing seed. For persons who have no pond, half a barrel sunk in the ground is a nice receptacle to grow them in. We send full directions for starting seeds and growing plants with each packet. We can furnish either the red, white or blue varieties at 10c per pkt. One packet each of the three colors for 25c.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN FLOWERS. Any one traveling through the Rockies cannot but be impressed with the great profusion of beautiful wild flowers, growing frequently where there seems to be scarcely sufficient soil to hold the roots. Last summer we spent some time at about the 10,000 foot level, collecting many of the beautiful specimens and made arragements to have a flower lover who resides there devote considerable time to gathering seed of the best sorts for us at the proper season. We find that many of the varieties will grow well in this state, and we are sure our customers will want to test them. Our mixture contains a great many varieties. Per pkt. 10c.

[image] WATER LILIES.

ALLEGHENY FRINGED HOLLYHOCK. This grand new hollyhock is an entire break from the old style garden favorite. The flowers are from four to six inches in diameter, ranging from semi-double to double, and the mammoth flowers are wonderfully formed, and so finely fringed and curled that they look as if made from the finest China silk, and compared with the old sorts they have the look of a flower from Fairyland. The color varies from palest shell pink to ruby red. In free and persistent flowering it differs from the old style, coming into bloom in June and lasting until frost. Every bud, clear to the top of the plant, develops into a flower, and as the flowers mature they drop from the stem, so that plants are always objects of beauty. Pkt. 10c.

The seeds I got of you last year were the best I ever had. Jas. Kearney, Dunbar, Pa. I was very much pleased with the seed I bought of you last year. It was my first order, but I found it just as represented by you.--Viola W. Owen, Hastings, Minn. We think your seeds are splendid.--Mrs. Flora Cottel, Jerry, New York.

EARLY DAWN MIXED COSMOS. Introduced by us four years ago, and it jumped at once into popularity on account of its extreme earliness, coming into bloom in about two months from time of sowing and continuing until destroyed by frost. The flowers are a little smaller than the late kind. The plants have fine, feathery, light green foliage and delicate rose, purple, white and lilac flowers, which are produced on long stems, and are very desirable for bouquets, as they will last a week after cutting. Well worthy of a trial by all who wish a free blooming plant of the easiest culture. Mixed colors. Per pkt. 5c.

CHINESE HORN NUTS. A large and most singular appearing nut, resembling buffalo horns, which is known botanically as Trapa Nutans. It is a native of China, and is largely used as a food there and in some parts of southern Europe. It is a swamp plant, and will grow well in a jar of water. An ordinary glass fruit jar will answer. The nuts sprout in about ten days, and their growth is very interesting and rapid, and sometimes they produce quite pretty flowers. Can be grown in an aquarium. These nuts have been sold at the World's Fair and else where at 10 cts. to 25 cts. each. We offer them in pkts. of 4 nuts for 15 cents.

[image] CHINESE HORN NUT

[image] EARLY DAWN MIXED COSMOS.

52. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

[image] AMERICAN BANNER LARKSPUR.

NEW IMPERIAL JAPANESE MORNING GLORIES. Remarkable for the large size and exquisite new colors of the flowers, with magnificent foliage, often beautifully blotched. Of strong, robust growth. The vines grow quickly to a height of 12 to 20 feet. The flowers are of gigantic size, sometimes measuring four to five inches across. The colors of the flowers shadings and markings are really wonders of nature, of such incomparable beauty that descriptions are inadequate. Some flowers are of deep, rich velvety tones, others more daintily tinted and shaded than an artist's brush could portray. The colors range through reds from soft rose to crimson, bronze and garnet maroon; from daintiest light blue to ultra marine and indigo and blackish purple; from snow white to cream and silvery gray; some are striped, starred and spotted. Pinch back the vines so as to let them grow only four to six feet high, and they will produce more flowers. Choicest double and single mixed. Pkt. 10c.

AMERICAN BANNER LARKSPUR. The handsomest flower in the entire catalogue. It originated on our grounds and was so distinct from all other flowers that it sprang at once into favor, and we are furnishing seed to the principal dealers in this country and Europe. The illustration represents a single stem, showing how loaded the plants are with flowers. The name American Banner was given it because it is the only flower we know of that combines the national colors, red, white and blue in each flower. Plants grow to a height of about two feet, of good, regular shape, with delicate, fern-like foliage, a vigorous grower, and is not injured by dry weather. The plants are fairly loaded with long spikes of double, striped and blotched flowers, having the various shades of pink, carmine, dark blue, purple and white, delicately and beautifully blended, sometimes four or five shades on a single floret. If you like beautiful and rare flowers do not fail to have this Gem of the floral kingdom. Pkt. 10c.

BUTTERFLY FLOWER. This elegant little annual known by the botanical name Schizanthus may well be considered one of our prettiest summer blooming plants. It is of the easiest culture, growing quickly from seed of excellent bushy form, and loaded with a profusion of rich and various colored flowers. The flowers frequently resemble butterflies, and are as beautiful and curious as expensive orchids. It is also a valuable plant for growing in the house during winter. Per pkt. 5c.

The Aster seed I got from you last year was fine. Every seed came up, and even though the season was poor they made an excellent showing.--Mellis S. French, East Templeton, Mass. I have bought seeds from you for the past two years and I am sure they are the best I ever had.--Jas. Updike, Hightstown, N. J.

[image] BUTTERFLY FLOWER.

[image] COPYRIGHTED 1895 BY A.BLANC

[image] LATANIA BORBONICA PALM.

ELEGANT PALMS. These for centuries have been considered exclusively for the rich, the plants usually selllng at $3.00 to $100.00 each, and in some cases fine plants of the rarer sorts have brought as high as $1,500.00 each. It is now known, however, that they are easily grown from seed. Directions for growing printed on the packet. LATANIA BORBONICA.--This is the typical palm, and is more largely used than any other. Its strong, healthy habit commends it to all and gives it a fitness for window and room culture not possessed in the same degree perhaps by any other. It is the Chinese Fan Palm, from which the palm leaf fans of commerce are made. Per pkt. of 6 seeds 10c. CHAMAEROPS EXCELSA.--From southern China and Japan. Very hardy. One of the very best plants for house culture in cool climates, forming a fine specimen, standing ill usage remarkably well. Per pkt. of 10 seeds 10c. PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA.--A native of northern Africa. This is the palm from which the date of commerce is obtained. Beautiful for pot culture, and very hardy. In California these trees are hardy and thousands of them from 10 to 40 feet high border the streets as shade tree. Per pkt. of 10 seeds, 10c. WASHINGTONIA FILIFERA.--This is one of the best window palms, needing no petting to succeed. Stands dust, dry air and lack of sunshine, and is very ornamental, with its elegant fan-shaped leaves of a rich, dark, leathery green. Picturesquely fringed with long, thread-like filaments along the segments of the leaves. The plant is a compact grower, well adapted to pot culture, succeeding in any situation, and with any treatment that will keep a geranium alive. Per pkt. of 12 seeds 10c. BANANA PALM.--(Musa Ensete.)--One of the grandest and most picturesque of the banana family. As a solitary plant or in groups on the lawn, it has a majestic tropical effect. The leaves are very long and broad, of a beautiful green, with crimson midrib in striking contrast. An occasional application of liquid manure, and frequent watering, are necessary. The rapidity of its growth is astonishing. Per pkt. of 3 seeds 10c. UMBRELLA PALM.--(Cyperus.)--One of the most desirable semi-aquatic plants in existence, will do well with same treatment as a geranium, in pots or the open ground. See description on page 86. Per pkt. of 100 seeds 10c.

A GRAND OFFER. One packet each of the above six varieties for 40c. We furnish plants of the Latania Palm at 25c each, postpaid. Larger plants $1.00 to $5.00 each, by express, not prepaid.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 53.

[image] NEW MAMMOTH FLOWERING HELIOTROPE

NEW MAMMOTH HELIOTROPE. No illustration can give an adequate idea of the immense size and rare beauty of the flower-heads of this most wonderful new Heliotrope. They range through all shades of violet and blue to deep indigo, frequently producing flower-heads almost white, which are more than twice the size of the old varieties, many of the heads measuring (when fully expanded) 10 to 12 inches across. The fragrance is simply lovely. Easily grown from seed, which should be started early in the house, and from a single packet a large number of strong, healthy plants are produced, which would cost 10 to 25 cents each at the florist's. This superb new variety is a strong grower, producing a constant succession of immense heads of flowers. Per packet of 100 seeds 10 cents.

ORIENTAL BEAUTIES DIANTHUS. A magnificent strain of large flowering Dianthus Pinks from South Japan which are most exquisitely formed the petals being full, overlapping, crinkled and fringed. The flowers are of unusual size, 3 to 4 inches in diameter and the petals sometimes measure 1 1/2 inches across. They range in color from pure white through all the shades of pink and crimson to a rich dark maroon beautifully striped, blotched, veined and spotted in a very dainty and charming manner. The flowers possess that peculiar and artistic charm so noticeable in all plants from the Flower Kingdom. They are perfectly hardy and perpetual bloomers, needing only to be cut back every few weeks to produce an abundant new crop of flowers. It is a decided novelty which everyone will be delighted with. Per pkt. 10c.

NEW RAINBOW PANSIES. The best novelty in Pansies and certainly the most charming variety ever sent out. We have given it the name New Rainbow, and consider it very appropriate owing to its beautiful irridescent [iridescent] colors. Our illustration shows three of the leading types of this mixture by which you will see the various styles of variegation, but no illustration can do justice to its superior beauty. There is almost an endless variety of colors comprising all shades of blue, purple, crimson, brown, white, yellow, pink, red and black, all beautifully marked, striped, veined, blotched and margined. The colors are much more beautiful than any painter could depict. In a good sized bed you could readily find 100 different varieties, but not one poor or inferior one. The flowers are of large size, and perfect form, nearly circular, and most of them have a very rich velvety appearance. They will both astonish and delight "pansy fanciers." Packet of 100 seeds 25c.

CURIOUS CACTI. Almost everyone who keeps house plants likes to have a few nice Cactus plants with them. We were never so impressed with the beauty and great variety of these curious plants and delicately lovely flowers as when traveling in the southern and western states last summer. We have therefore arranged for seed collected from the choicest varieties in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, California and Old Mexico as well as some foreign varieties and mixed them together in this assortment. They are easily grown from seed and there is much pleasure in watching their development. The seed should be started in a pot or box of clean sand. Water well after sowing and cover with a pane of glass. They will then require but little water afterward. Per pkt. 10c.

SEMPLE'S MIXED ASTERS. A grand late flowering variety which begin blooming about the last of August and continue until severe cold weather. Plants are strong vigorous growers 18 to 24 inches high of branching habit and profuse bloomers. The flowers are very large, four inches across, very double and borne on long stems. They are of pure clear colors white, purple, lavender, pink and the various shades of red. Pkt. 5c.

[image] RAINBOW PANSY

I sent for a package of your Rainbow Pansy seed last spring, and they did much better than pansy seed purchased from other places.--Ethel Stevens, Calaway, Neb. Your Rainbow Pansy was very satisfactory. They grew more vigorously than my other plants, and are fine.--John Durkee, Blair, Nebraska. I have always been pleased with your seeds.--Ella M. Lewis, Milford, Neb. I was pleased with the seeds bought of you last year, and you will find my order longer this year.--Chas. A. Coskey, Saunemin, Ills. I received the seeds which I ordered from you in good order.--Chas. F. Laatz, Marseilles, Ills. The seeds we received from the Iowa Seed Co. have given perfect satisfaction, were sent promptly and O. K.--R. B. Henry, Flora, Ills.

BEST IN NEW ZEALAND. Your seeds have given entire satisfaction here, and many of my neighbors are ordering with me this year. They always germinate well and prove first class.--Ernest C. Moon, Te Uku, Raglan, Auckland, New Zealand.

[image] BIRD OF PARADISE FLOWER.

FAIRY ROSES. These little beauties are very easily grown from seed. The roses are only about an inch across, usually very double, but occasionally semi-double and seldom single; they are borne in large clusters and are of many colors. What is most remarkable these Fairy roses grow only 10 to 15 inches high and commence blooming in a few weeks after the seed is sown, and continue year after year in uninterrupted profusion from May until frost. Also nice for pot plants for winter blooming. Pkt. 10c.

BIRD OF PARADISE FLOWER. This plant properly known as Poinciana Gillesi may be considered one of the wonders of nature as it is of such curious and strange form. It is a rare plant, and we presume but few of our customers have ever seen it in bloom. The flowers are large about 2 1/2 inches in diameter and are produced in very large trusses. They are of a rich golden yellow color, but the most attractive part is the large pistils which are of beautiful bright crimson color and spread out in fan-shape. The foliage is highly decorative, similar to a very delicate Acacia. If the seed is started early, it will produce a profusion of blooms the first year. If you love the beautiful and are interested in the rare and curious works of nature, try the Bird of Paradise flower this year. Per pkt. of 10 seeds 10c.

[image] FAIRY ROSES.