1901

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31st Annual Catalogue

Iowa Seed Co Des Moines Iowa.

Seedsmen to the American People

1901

Only One Quality The Best

Grand Clematis The 3 Large Flowering Sorts For 50 Cents All 6 Varieties For 85 Cents

See Inside Cover for Descriptions.

Index to Catalogue.

Vegetable Seeds.

Page. Artichoke... 19 Asparagus... 19 Asparagus Roots. 11 Beans... 20, 21, 39, 50 Beet... 4, 22 Borecole, or Kale. 19 Broccoli... 19 Brussels Sprouts. 19 Cabbage... 3, 4, 24 Carrot... 22 Cauliflower... 21 Celery... 5, 25 Celeriac... 25 Chervil... 35 Chicory... 26 Cofee Berry... 50 Collards... 26 Corn, Pop... 26, 39 Corn, Sweet... 5, 26, 39 Corn Salad... 26 Collections... 5, 40 Cress... 35 Cucumber... 2, 4, 5, 27 Chinese Lantern.. 11 Chinese Sago Beans. 2 Coffee Peas... 6 Curious Vegetables. 40 Egg Plant... 6, 27 Endive... 5, 35 Garden Plants... 41

Page. Garlic... 41 Gourds... 27 Garden Lemon... 40 Ground Cherry... 3, 25 Herbs... 40 Horse Radish... 41 Kale... 19 Kohl Rabi... 34 Leek... 28 Lettuce... 3, 28 Mangel Wurzel... 9, 23 Melon, Musk... 3, 29 Melon, Water... 3, 4, 6, 30 Melon, Citron... 3, 30 Mougri... 40 Mushrooms... 41 Mustard... 34 Okra, or Gumbo... 35 Onions... 4, 31, 32 Onion Sets... 41 Parsley... 34 Parsnip... 34 Peanuts... 34 Peas... 2, 4, 33, 39 Pepper... 34 Pomegranate... 40 Potatoes... 55, 56 Potato Seed... 56 Pumpkin... 6, 35 Radish... 2, 5, 36 Rhubarb... 6, 34, 41 Ruta Baga... 39

Page. Salsify... 35 Spinach... 37 Squash... 3, 37 Sugar Beet... 23 Sweet Potatoes... 56 Tobacco... 34 Tomato... 3, 38 Turnip... 39 Vegetable Plants... 41 Vine Peach... 40 Woodruff... 3

Farm Seeds.

Page. Artichoke Roots.. 56 Barley... 49 Buckwheat... 50 Bromus... 7 Broom Corn... 50 Clover... 51 Corn... 8, 9, 42 to 47 Coffee Berry... 50 Cow Peas... 47 Flax... 49 Field Peas... 47 Field Beans... 50 Giant Spurry... 7 Grass Seed... 52, 7, 53 Jerusalelm Corn... 47 Kaffir Corn... 47 Lawn Grass... 54 Lentils... 40 Millet... 7, 52

Page. Oats... 9, 48 Pasture Mixture.. 53 Pencilaria... 9 Potatoes... 55, 56 Rape... 9 Rice... 7 Rye... 49 Sand Vetch... 50 Seradella... 50 Spiltz... 7 Soja Beans... 50 Sugar Cane... 47 Sweet Potatoes... 56 Sunflower... 48 Teosinte... 53 Tree Seeds... 49 Wheat... 7, 49 Wild Rice... 50 Zea... 7 Flower Seeds... 10 to 13, 57, 58 Flower Plants... 14 to 18, 62 to 69 Flower Bulbs... 59 to 61 Aquatic Plants... 68 Hardy Shrubs... 71 Hardy Plants... 70 Hardy Vines... 72 Nursery Stock... 73 Miscellaneous... 53, 54, 56, 74 to 80

Garden Plants. Every garden should contain an assortment of these hardy plants and a few square feet will supply the family.

Holt's Mammoth Sage.--Larger and better than any other variety. Each 10c; 3 for 25c; doz. 75c.

Mint or Spearmint.--One of the most popular of all garden plants for flavoring salads, soups, garnishing meat, mint julip, etc. Each 10c; 3 for 25c; doz. 75c.

Tarragon.--Highly valued wherever known[.] Each 15c; 3 for 40c; oz. $1.25.

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Chives.--Perfectly hardy little perennial members of the onion tribe, and are grown entirely for their tops, which are used whereever the flavor of onion is required. The tops appear very early in the spring and can be shorn throughout the season. In New England it is considered indispensable for use in omelets. Roots, per bunch 15c; 4 for 50c.

Chufas.--A sweet ground nut greatly liked by children. Per pkt. 5 oz. 10c; 1/4 lb. 20c; lb. 50c.

Catnip.--Each 10c; 3 for 25c.

Pennyroyal. Each 15c; 3 for 40c.

Rosemary.--Each 10c; 3 for 25c.

Peppermint.--Each 10c; 3 for 25c.

Tansy.--Each 1 c; 3 for 35c.

Artemesia or Brotan.--Ea. 15c; 3 for 40c.

Calamus.--Each 20c.

Collection: One each of 10 varieties of Herb and Mint plants for $1.00 postpaid.

Hardy Perennial Plants. These require less care and are more satisfactory with ordinary culture than most other classes of plants. When once set out they bloom year after year. These varieties are all hardy.

Rudbeckia, Golden Glow.--A glorious new hardy plant of fine habit, vigorous growth, with early, continuous and immense blooming qualities. It attains a height of from six to eight feet and a small plant set out in the spring will produce hundreds of blossoms during August and September, each one as large as a fair sized chrysanthemum. It is of easiest culture and sure to please all. Price 15c; doz. $1.25.

Helianthus Multiflorus Plenus.--The flowers are from three to four inches in diameter, as double as any Double Dahlia, and cover the plant from the ground to the top. Color a bright golden yellow. Each 10c; doz. 75c.

Delphinum Formosum.--(Hardy Larkspur) This is certainly one of the handsomest and most satisfactory of all the hardy herbaceous plants. Each 20c.

Hardy Perennial Phloxes.--These are among the most useful and desirable of our hardy herbaceous plants, and should be planted largely. Our collection embraces the best new and old varieties mixed. Each 10c; doz. $1.00.

Double Paeonies.--These are again becoming quite popular and some of the varieties are truly magnificent, almost rivalling the rose in brilliancy of color and perfection of bloom. Many varieties. Each 25c; white 35c.

Achillea.--Finest of all plants for cemetery planting. Double pure white small flowers produced in great numbers. Ea. 10c; doz. 75c.

Golden Coreopsis.--Produce great quantities of beautiful golden yellow flowers. Each 15c; doz. $1.25

Myrtle.--Handsome trailing plant with dark green leaves and bright blue flowers. Each 10c; doz. 75c.

1871-1901 [Image: Drawing of a rock with text, Caption-Established 1871] Thirty Years Successful Business Des Moines, Iowa, January, 1901.

To Our Customers:

With the old century which has just closed we completed our 30 years experience in the seed business. It is a record of constant pleasant relations with the farmers and gardeners, not only of Iowa, but of the whole country, and we are proud of it. It is a record of steady, almost continual growth from a very small beginning until now, through the kindness of our patrons, our trade has distanced almost all of our competitors and we now claim to fill more retail seed orders than any three seed firms in Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha, Denver or San Francisco combined. There must be some good reason for this and it lies in the fact that our CHOICE IOWA SEEDS are unsurpassed, that our prices are right and that we please and satisfy our customers. In beginning the new century and our thirty-first year in the trade we are even more determined than ever before to give each of our customers such complete satisfaction that we shall secure their entire trade and retain it from year to year. In almost every neighborhood in America our seeds are known and used and our highest ambition is to deserve the title which has been applied to us, namely; "Seedsmen To The American People."

[Image: Drawing of an anchor with text on the image, Captions: Choice Iowa Seeds, Tested and True, Iowa Seed Co., Des Moines.]

The gardening public and farmers everywhere are requested to thoroughly examine all parts of this book, which we have tried to make of practical value to everyone. Notice the many new and improved varieties which we are offering this year and instead of devoting your entire crop to the old sorts we are sure that it will pay you to add both to the quality and yield by planting the newer kinds such as we recommend. We Grow Our Own Seeds, either on our own place or have them grown from carefully selected stock seeds and it requires the entire seed crop from about 4,800 acres to supply our trade. The soil and climate of Iowa are specially adapted to growing and maturing most seed crops, still there are some varieties which will produce better seed in other localities and we spend a large part of the summer and fall in traveling around among our growers inspecting the growing crop. The many thousands of persons already our customers and also the 100,000 new customers whom we hope to add to our lists this year are respectfully invited to call and see the store and the various parts of our business establishment described on the preceding page and we are sure they will find much to interest them. Again thanking you for past favors, respectfully soliciting a continuance of your patronage and wishing you a happy and prosperous new year, we remain. Your friends, Iowa Seed Co. M. Kurtzweil, President. Chas. N. Page Treasurer and Manager.

[Text inside decorative border.] Kind Words From Old Friends. Very few Seed Dealers can Equal this Record. This is my 29th year getting seeds from your firm and they are all O.K. We are back in "Peerless Old Iowa" again after four years in California and eight years in Arkansas.-Bryant Graves, Lenox, Iowa. I want to say that in my trading with you for the last ten years, my orders have been filled promptly, seeds have been the best quality, shipped in good shape, treatment courteous, and I assure you that it has been appreciated.-E. B. Cooper, Trenton, Mo. I have bought seeds every year from your company since 1871, when Mr. Fuller started the business at Des Moines; have always found your seeds good.-W. S. Maxwell, Lawndale, Tex. I have been a customer of the Iowa Seed Co. since 1875, and always intend to be so long as they prove as satisfactory as in the past. Both they and their seeds are reliable.-J. C. Jessup, Fairmont, Ind.

Suggestions To Customers. [Left column.] Order Early.-The best time to order is just as soon as you receive this catalogue, as we can always give your orders more of our personal attention if they come in before the rush of the spring trade. Please use the order sheet as it makes it more convenient for us in filling orders. Terms are invariably cash with order, as we keep no book accounts in our mail order department, and the expense of sending goods C.O.D. is quite large. Postage stamps received as cash. Shipping.-There are five express companies and fifteen railroad lines at Des Moines, so that quick shipments can be made to any town in the United States[.] It is well to remember that express charges are usually very much higher on heavy goods, and you should order them sent by fast freight. Charges Prepaid.-All Vegetable and Flower Seeds, Bulbs and Plants, except those noted, are sent prepaid by mail or express by the quickest and most direct routes unless ordered otherwise, and we guarantee their safe arrival. Seeds sold by the peck or bushel, field seeds, potatoes, implements, and other heavy goods are sent by freight or express, purchaser paying charges. Our Prices.-Our constant aim is to make the highest quality the first consideration, and next to put our prices as low as a good reliable seeds can be sold. Discounts.-On All Orders For Seeds In Packets the purchaser may select twenty-five cents' worth extra for each one dollar sent us. This refers only to seeds in packets, not in bulk. Each year we put up thousands of packets of seeds for free distribution among our customers, by adding liberally of them to orders. We will allow you a discount of ten cents per pound on vegetable seeds, such as are listed as prepaid, if you are willing to have them sent by express or freight at your expense. Small Orders.-If you only want a single packet, do not hesitate to send for it. We take as much pains to fill small orders promptly and correctly as we do large ones. Orders for Flower Plants and Nursery Stock, however, must amount to at least fifty cents. Plant Orders.-Orders for plants will be filled as early in spring as we consider it safe to send them. If ordered for immediate shipment in severe weather they will be sent at purchaser's risk. What We Guarantee.-That all money sent us for seed shall reach us if sent by registered letter. P.O., or express money order or bank draft, made payable to our order. That your order will be filled promptly and well. That goods ordered will reach you safely. Keep a copy of your order. Sometimes persons think they have ordered articles which they have omitted, and blame us for not sending them. [Right column.] Our Responsibility.-As this book will probably go into the hands of many who are unacquainted with us this question will naturally arise, and in answer to same we refer you, by permission to the Valley National Bank of this city to the postmaster, or to any of the various express companies. About Warranting.-We thoroughly test all our seeds and nothing is sent out which we do not believe to be good in every respect. Still, when it is considered how many are the contingencies on which the success of any crop depends, such as sowing too deep or too shallow, too wet or dry soil, unfavorable weather, insects, etc., our customers will readily see that it would be sheer folly for anyone to warrant them to produce a perfect crop, and we want it plainly understood that while we exercise great care to have all seeds pure and reliable, and also true to name, we do not give any warranty, express or implied. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and conditions, they are to be returned at once, and the money that has been paid for same will be refunded. No officer, agent or employe [employee] of this company is authorized to make any warranty whatsoever. However, we have so much confidence in our seeds that we hereby agree to refill any retail order for vegetable or flower seeds free of charge, should they prove otherwise than as we represent them. We know of no responsible seed firm in the world which guarantees seeds any further than this[.] Compare with other seed catalogues and you will find that we are right. Market Gardeners and others who buy Vegetable Seeds In Bulk to the amount of $5.00 or more, are requested to send for our Market Gardeners' Price List. This list for market gardeners is intended only for large buyers, and is exclusively for those who order vegetable seeds alone by weight or measure amounting to $5.00 or over. Club orders which call for this amount of bulk seeds altogether are entitled to these prices. Our German Friends Will be pleased to notice that we also issue a catalogue in the German language, and we will take pleasure in sending a copy free on request. Tell your German neighbors about it.

[German text letters are not legible.] Unferen Deutidjen Freundett blene biermit zur Kathridht, bus wit audi Gamen=Pataloge in beuticher Sprache bruden. Biele unferer Bandsleute geben ber Mutteriprache ben Borzug unb berfenben mir biefe Rataloge frei an Ulle, bie barum anfragen. Bitte fenden Gie una bie Ubreffen Sbrer beutidhen Madhbarn, bamit biefe ben beften beurfchen Natalog in Umerila erbalten.

We Are Always Pleased To Receive Samples Of Any New, Rare, Or Superior Seeds You May Send Us For Trial.

Iowa Seed Company, 2 ... Des Moines, Iowa.

[Image: A 20th century novelty]

Novelties and Specialties for 1901 "What have you that is especially new and desirable this year?" is the first question asked us by many of our patrons. The "Novelty of the 20th century vine," bearing vegetables, fruit and flowers, shown in the margin of this page, is a creation which exists only in the mind of our artist, but when we consider the wonderful advances which have been made during the past-century in horticulture and agriculture, who shall say that crosses and hybrids of still more startling character will not be brought out by some process now unknown, during the new century. The most learned scientists are beginning to feel that they are just on the border of unknown principles and forces of nature, more vast and far-reaching than the ordinary mind can comprehend. However, the Iowa Seed Co. is not striving for that which simply awakens wonder and surprise, but all our efforts are directed to improvements which shall be of great value. 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 standbys. Notice the collections of novelties offered on cover and on the colored plates.

New Triumph Radish. A beautiful and valuable new variety of Radish which is a decided novelty, being both unique and valuable. It is of the shape shown in our illustration, round, with white, skin striped bright scarlet, being decidedly ornamental when placed on the table. It is very early, maturing in three weeks, has very small top, thus adapting it to cultivation in hotbeds. The flesh is white, crisp, tender, and of as good flavor as any radish grown. It being a sport some of the roots are always of solid color, not variegated. It will please everyone for family use. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 25c.

Early Express Cucumber. We are pleased to introduce this most remarkable and valuable new variety, which originated with Mr. C. P. Coy, the well known seed grower, and may be called the best novelty in this line which has been brought out for many years, especially for the private garden. It is by all odds, the earliest variety in existence, producing fruit several days ahead of Early Siberian, Extra Early Russian and other early sorts, and nearly double the size. Quality is the very best, being free from any rank, strong flavor, and it is as fine a variety for slicing as any later sort. The plant is very productive, bearing fruit which is quite uniform in size and shape. Color is a lively green, shading to nearly white at the blossom end as they grow older. Our cut shows compact growth of vine. Per pkt. 5c., oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 60c. [Image: New Triumph Radish.]

Giant Gray Sugar Peas. A novelty from Hawaii which we have grown here for several years and it has yielded an immense crop of large flat pods, which are unusually tender and sweet. The peas should not be shelled, but the pods are to be cut into pieces about an inch long and boiled. With the addition of a little milk and butter they are as nice as the best asparagus, only richer. The Cleveland Seed Co., who claim to be the largest growers of seed peas in the U.S., write us "We consider your new Sugar Peas the most desirable Edible Pod Pea ever brought to our notice. It is prolific and has very handsome broad pods, quite stringless, brittle, tender and sweet." If you want to enjoy a delicious table luxury, try them this year. Per pkt. 10c, 1/2 pint 25c, qt. 85c.

Chinese Sago Beans. When traveling in California we spent considerable time on a 600 acre farm which was devoted to growing standard varieties of vegetable and flower seed and novelties from all parts of the world. We noticed here that the kind of food which seemed to be the most relished by the farm workmen was a small, round, green bean, smaller than a kernel of pop-corn or about the size of sago. To prepare it for the table it was soaked in water for several days, changing water frequently until it began growing and the sprout was about half an inch long. When boiled they then make a nice fresh dish for the table. In this way fresh vegetables can be had in the winter. We tried growing them on our place last summer and they yielded wonderfully well, so we take pleasure in offering them to our customers. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 50c. [Image: Early Express Cucumber]

IOWA SEED COMPANY, 3 ... DES MOINES, IOWA.

[Left column image of an Apple Pie Melon]

[Left column] SUPERB TOMATO. It is indeed a superb new variety which is sure to please every one 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 midseason and is very productive. It is hardy and stands a frost which will kill other sorts, and it is also an excellent drouth [drought] resister. The fruits are smooth, of medium size, and superior quality. When other varieties were badly affected with blight the Superb showed no signs of it. Price per pkt. 10c, oz. 35c.

ERFURT ROUND SUGAR CABBAGE. A novelty from Germany which is entirely distinct in character and color. It ripens at mid-season and makes a very hard, solid, heavy head with short stem. Head is round as a ball, smooth, fine flavor, sweet, superior quality for all purposes. Its great characteristic, however, which distinguishes it from all other sorts is that when pickled it assumes a fine golden color which makes the Sauerkraut better liked, more appetizing and more saleable than any other. It pays to grow and put up sauerkraut and you should have the Erfurt Round Sugar if you want to obtain the highest prices. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00.

ROCKY FORD MUSK MELON. [Image of the Rocky Ford Musk Melon] ROCKY FORD MUSK MELON. During the past few years the melon growers of the Unites States have been startled by the appearance of this new variety, which has everywhere been in great demand by the high class hotels and restaurants. Hundreds of carloads of them have been shipped from the little town of Rocky Ford, Colorado, to Chicago, St. Louis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and other cities, driving out the home grown. They have attained a national reputation for high quality. The melons are of just the right size for table use, slightly oval in shape. The flesh is thick, of a light green color and fine, juicy, luscious flavor. It is very early, and is wonderfully productive. These delicious melons can be grown to perfection anywhere if you have the right kind of seed. Those who send direct to us can fully rely on securing genuine stock, as out seed was grown under our own supervision. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 10c, 1/4 lb. 30c, lb. $1.00.

SWEET WOODRUFF. This plant, known botanically as Asperula Odorata, is a sweet scented herb, highly valued by the Germans and forms the principal ingredient of the famous German Maitrank. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 60c.

[Middle column] [Image of a little girl in a fairy costume eating squash] HESTER SQUASH.-"GOOD ENOUGH FOR FAIRIES."

[Right column] APPLE PIE MELON. This is a novelty which will be appreciated in many sections of the country and especially so during seasons when apples are scarce or high in price. The vine and fruit are quite similar to a watermelon and they are easily grown on any good soil. Each vine produces from five to fifteen fruits and one of the large sized melons will make as many pies as a bushel of apples. We have estimated carefully in our field that one vine would produce an average of about 300 pounds, and this is equal to six bushels of apples as there is not a waste of cores and peelings that you have with the apples. The flesh is white, solid throughout and of excellent quality for making pies, sauce, preserves, etc., and it greatly resembles apples in flavor. They keep nice and fresh all winter so that they can be used at any time, and any surplus you may have may be fed to the live stock [livestock]. In face it would pay to grow them for this purpose alone as they can be kept and fed fresh all winter. We sent out small packets of this variety to several thousand customers last year and everywhere they proved highly satisfactory. Sold this year in packets only. Per pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. for 25c.

NEW HESTER SQUASH. This extra choice new variety which we introduced, 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 surpasses 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. Our crop was nearly destroyed by a flood, so that we can offer it in packets only this year. Per pkt. 10c.

MAMMOTH GROUND CHERRY. For several years past we have thought the Yellow Ground Cherry was a fruit which could be improved, and by hybridizing and selecting we have finally secure [secured] a mammoth size fruit fully 1 1/2 inches in diameter, which is of fine flavor. Thousands of our customers will want to try it, but we can only offer it in packets of 40 seeds. Price per pkt. 10c.

RELISH LETTUCE. When visiting the place of one of our seed growers in California, 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. [Image of lettuce head] RELISH LETTUCE.