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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]