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26. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

"Of all that is good Iowa affords the best."
Our Seed Corn proves this statement.

Our old customers know that for more than twenty years we have been preaching the gospel of Improved Seed Corn until finally, during the past four or five years the farmers have begun to really wake up to the real importance of the subject. Corn schools are being conducted in many of the states; corn growing is being talked of at all the Farmer's Institutes, and agricultural papers which a few years ago devoted practically all their space to wheat, potatoes, hogs and cattle are finding that there is really more to say about corn than they ever supposed. Competent judges say that the Iowa Seed Company has added Millions of Dollars to the value of the crops in every one of the leading corn growing states by introducing such valuable sorts as Iowa Gold Mine, Iowa Silver Mine, Farmer's Reliance, Profit, etc. Our varieties have proved the best and most satisfactory everywhere, and now when we say that we have a new variety, the Golden West, which combines all their best characteristics in a main crop variety, we know that farmers everywhere will want it.

[image] KHERSON OATS.

GOLDEN WEST CORN.
The latest novelty in the corn line and by all odds the best yellow corn in existence. We consider it the best rooted, strongest growing, most productive, best shaped ear and deepest grained variety. Everyone who has tried this grand sort is enthusiastic in its praise. It is an ideal and the acme of perfection. While there are many 12-inch ears in the crop still we do not strive for immense ears and the standard for judging this variety is, length 10 inches, circumference 7½ inches, color, golden yellow, shape cylindrical, corn nearly firm on cob, grain slightly rough, medium wedge shape, long, 18 to 20 rows, narrow space between kernels, butt rounded, tip capped over, shank medium size, deep red cob and 90 per cent of corn to cob. See more full description on page 27. Per pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, postpaid. By freight pk. 75c, bu. $2.50; 2 bu. or more @ $2.25.
"Last spring I planted 25 acres of your Golden West Corn and am well satisfied with it. It yielded 80 bushels per acre, which was as much again as my other corn yielded, or that of my neighbors."--Will Scoville, Polk county, Iowa.
"I was very much pleased with your Golden West Corn last year.--John J. Martin, Graceham."

GIANT HALF SUGAR MANGEL.
After growing this several years on our trial grounds and testing its feeding qualities we find that it is far superior to any variety of either Mangel or Sugar Beet, that we know of. It is the result of a cross made in France between the Mammoth Red Mangel and Improved Sugar Beet, growing about as large as the mangel with the rich sugary sweetness and highly nutritive qualities of the sugar beet. Shape of root is shown by our colored plate and it stands so well out of ground that it can almost be "kicked out" instead of plowing or digging. Color light rose, and quality extra fine. On our place this year it grew to a larger size than any of the mangels and was earlier in maturing No one who has even one cow can afford to be without it if they wish a large amount of highly nutritive food at a low price. Costs less than 5 cents per bushel to grow and harvest. Per oz. 5c, ¼ lb. 15c, lb. 45c, postpaid. By express, 5 lbs. (will plant one acre) $1.50. Directions for growing, storing and feeding, free to our customers.

[image] IDEAL EARS OF CORN.

KHERSON OATS.
This new variety was discovered by Prof. F. W. Taylor, the superintendent of the Agricultural Department of the great St. Louis World's Fair, when he was traveling in the province of Kherson, Russia, and in 1900 they were first imported into this country and grown in Nebraska where they proved a wonderful success, far exceeding all expectations. They are about three weeks earlier than any ordinary sort. The plant is of vigorous but rather dwarf growth being shorter than any of the other varieties which have been tested with it, hence it is not so liable to lodge. The leaves are broad, and the heads are large containing a large number of grains which are of medium size, light yellow color and remarkably heavy. The Nebraska Experiment Station states that Kherson Oats have proven in their five years' tests to be earlier, yield better and weigh heavier than any of the other varieties with which they have been tested. J. R. Lang of Sherman Co., Neb. raised 112 bushels per acre. John Sippel of Guthrie Co., Iowa, says that the Kherson produced about double the yield of the common oats on his place. While the grain is not as large as some sorts still the yield in bushels is immense. Our seed is as pure as can be obtained but they have always shown a slight mixture with barley ever since the variety was first brought to this county. It will pay you well to try Kherson this year. Per pk. 35c, bu. 90c, 2 bu. or more @ 80c; 10 bu. or more @ 75c.

DWARF VICTORIA RAPE.
Almost everyone knows the Dwarf Essex Rape which has since its introduction about 15 years ago, been the most popular of all forage plants. The Dwarf Victoria is an improvement on the ordinary Dwarf Essex which we are obtaining direct from the best grower in England. It has been very carefully grown and selected for seed purposes, and we are sure will greatly please every farmer by its very vigorous growth, wide leaves and enormous yield. Per pkt. 5c, lb. 30c, 3 lbs. 75c, postpaid. By freight 5 lbs. 50c, 10 lbs. 85c, 25 lbs. $1.75, 100 lbs. $6.25.
S. G. Bassett, Editor of the Weekly Journal says: "I have raised Kherson Oats for four years with very satisfactory results.
E. G. Montgomery, the field crop specialist, says that Kherson Oats yielded 95 bushels per acre during season of 1905 and weighs heavier per bushel than any other variety.
Floyd Brallier of Guthrie County, Iowa, says: "The Kherson Oats were very satisfactory. Have short straw, never goes down and are absolutely rust proof.

NITRO CULTURE. The Vest Pocket Fertilizer--Recommended by U. S. Dept. of Agi.

After years of experimenting Prof. Moore, of the Department of Agriculture has discovered a new manner of fertilizing the land with very little expense, and the preparation was first put on the market last spring and proved to be a grand success. Plants need nitrogen--can't grow without it. Heretofore fertilizers have been needed to put nitrogen into the soil. Nitrogen is very necessary--is the most expensive part of fertilizers. The new way is easier, surer and cheaper--is is to let nitrogen-gathering germs feed the plants. The soil is full of air. Air is four-fifths free nitrogen, and it is right at the plants root ready for use, but plants are unable to extract nitrogen from the air. It is useless to attemp [attempt] to grow certain crops on some soils, because they do not contain the bacteria or germs which help the plant make use of the nitrogen. These germs, when put into the soil, fasten themselves to the roots of the plants, draw the free nitrogen out of the air, and feed it to the plants. The new way saves the cost of fertilizers and is very easy to use. The germs come ready for use, in a form called Nitro-culture. Nitro-culture is put up in small dry packages--like yeast cakes--you can put in your vest pocket. Simply add it to water, and sprinkle the water over the seeds before planting. The germs remain on every seed--live with it--increase very rapidly in number--feed the roots when they start and keep on feeding them. They also enrich the soil by storing nitrogen in it, so that the second year's crop, whatever it may be, is increased wonderfully. We furnish the Nitro-Culture for either Red Clover, Alfalfa, Soy Beans, Cow Peas, Vetches, Peanuts, Wax Beans or Lima Beans at $1.50 per pkg., (sufficient for 1 to 1½ acres) charges prepaid with full directions for use. Trial size 50c.