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Iowa Seed Company, 38...Des Moines, Iowa.
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[Image: The earliest tomato in the world, early Minnesota.]

White Excelsior.-Claimed to be the best purple tomato ever introduced and we have really been surprised to see what an exceptionally large crop it yielded. The fruit is of a dark, glossy, purplish red, very large, handsome, and nearly solid, which is a peculiarity, as most purple sorts like the Acme, are very full of seed. It is also unlike other purple sorts in that the skin is tough, so that they will bear long shipments and rough handling exceedingly well. By our illustration the very unusual depth of the fruit will be noticed, as they are not flat like many of other sorts. The vine is of dark green color, a vigorous grower and sets the fruit in clusters, continuing to bear throughout the season. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. $1.00, lb. $3.25.

Matchless.-Well worthy of its name, for in beauty of color and symmetry of form it is indeed without a peer. The vines are of strong vigorous growth, well set with fruit. They are entirely free from core, of a very rich cardinal red color, and not liable to crack from wet weather, of largest size, and the size of the fruit is maintained throughout the season. Solid, of fine quality, and keeps well. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 75c, lb. $1.80.

Livingston's Beauty.-Originated with the late Mr. A. W. Livingston, of Franklin county, Ohio, and is one of the best ever introduced. Its beauty, size, shape, color, flavor, durability, and productiveness make it desirable to all classes of tomato growers. Glossy crimson with slight tinge of purple. Pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c, lb. $1.50.

Honor Bright.-A splendid new variety, having angular color-changes of fruit during its development. It is at first of a light green color, then turns to a waxy white, next lemon and finally to a rich bright red. Its long keeping quality makes it especially valuable for shipping long distances. The fruit is of good size, solid, the vines vigorous and productive, and the tomatoes of excellent quality. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 75c.

Dwarf Champion.-Its habit of growth is peculiar, for not only is it dwarf and compact, but the stem being thick, stiff and short-jointed; it is almost self-supporting when laden with fruit. In productiveness it is unsurpassed. It is also very early. The fruit is of a purplish pink color, always smooth and symmetrical and the flesh solid and of fine quality. Can almost be called a tree tomato. The best variety to grow for plants for sale as they are so stocky. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 60c, lb. $1.50.

[Image: Crimson Cushion]

Crimson Cushion.-The Best Climbing Variety.-Persons who have only a small garden will appreciate this variety which can be grown on trellisses [trellises] and in this way three or four times as much fruit can be grown on the same space. It grows 7 to 10 feet high, if desired, but as most of the fruit is borne three or four feet from the ground well out of the reach of the chickens, it is just as well to trim off the tips. Fruit is extremely large, exceeding any variety on our list. Seeds are few and near the outside, leaving the center solid pulp, which ripens evenly throughout before the outside appears ripe. An elegant sort for slicing or putting up. Pkt. 10c, oz. 50c.

Mixed Tomatoes: For the advantage of some of our customers who would like to try all kinds, we have prepared this mixture of the varieties named above and several others, which we think will please all. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c.

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[Image: White's New Excelsior Tomato.]

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Tomato.
One ounce will produce about 2,500 plants.
Sow early in hotbeds or seed boxes and when plants have four leaves transplant to four or five inches apart. Give plenty of air and endeavor to secure a vigorous growth. When all danger of frost is past transplant to the open ground, four to six feet apart each way. Well manured, light sandy soil is best, but it must be remembered that a surplus of mature stimulates leaf growth to the detriment of fruit. Through long years of selection we have now a stock of tomato seed which is far superior to that of most other dealers. Our packets contain about 500 to 1,000 seeds.

Bond's Early Minnesota.-This handsome new variety is, we believe, the earliest in existence. Vines vigorous with rather small leaf. When quite small begin producing fruits which are of fair size, of good shape, smooth, dark red color. They ripen evenly, remain solid a long time and never crack. Thos. H. Brinton, who grows about 100 varieties of tomatoes, has originated several of our best sorts, and who may be called the best posted man on tomatoes in the United States, writes us: "Bond's Early Minnesota is the best early tomato I have ever tried." Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 65c, lb. $2.00.

Imperial.-The fruits are perfectly smooth, very early, purple color, very deep, solid and thick meated, ripening up well around the stem. It is an immense cropper and a long keeper. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 75c, lb. $2.00.

Stone.-Very large, and of bright scarlet color; smooth; ripening evenly to the stem; exceedingly solid; is an excellent shipper; quality is the best. Pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 60c, lb. $1.75.

Dwarf Aristocrat.-Resembles the Dwarf Champion in every respect except in color of the fruit, which with the Aristocrat is a rich, glossy red. In size, productiveness, smoothness, flavor, etc., it is excellent. It is desirable for greenhouse or forcing under glass. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 80c, lb. $2.25.

Golden Queen.-An improvement on the old yellow Trophy. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 25c, 1/4 lb. 75c.

Lemon Blush.-The skin and flesh are a bright lemon yellow with a faint rose blush or crimson tint diffused over part of the surface opposite the stem. It may never become a popular market sort, but anyone desiring a choice table variety for home consumption should not fail to have it. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 30c.

Crimson Currant.-A most charming little fruit, which is quite small, hardly more than a half inch in diameter, of bright crimson color, and borne in long clusters containing 20 to 60 berries or tomatoes. Excellent quality for eating from the hand, or preserved. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 40c.

Yellow Pear.-A favorite with all who know them. The fruit is pear shaped and of a handsome deep yellow color; flesh yellow, solid and fine flavored. Highly esteemed as a table delicacy raw, but more used for preserving, or to make "tomato figs," also excellent pickled. Pkt. 5c, oz. 30c, 1/4 lb. 75c.

Strawberry.-For description see page 8. Pkt. 5c.

Perfection.- Per pkt. 5c, oz. 15c, 1/4 lb. 50c.

Atlantic Prize.-An excellent early variety. Per pkt. 5c, oz. 20c, 1/4 lb. 65c.

Other Leading Varieties.
Trophy... Pkt. 5c. Oz. 15c. 1/4 Lb. 50c. Lb. $1.50.
Acme... " 5c. " 15c. " " 50c. " $1.50.
Favorite... " 5c. " 10c. " " 35c. " $1.20.
Ponderosa... " 5c. " 25c. " " 80c. " $3.00.
Yellow Plum... " 5c. " 25c. " " 75c. " $2.25.

[Image: Dwarf Champion.]