47

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 45.

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 them in 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. 10c, oz. 25c, ¼ lb. 75c, lb. $2.25.

[image] EARLY EXPRESS CUCUMBER.

Continuity Lettuce.
In this grand new variety we have one of the most distinct and desirable sorts now on the market. The outside leaves are of a very dark brown color tinged with purple, while the inside of the head is a fine creamy white, tender, crisp and well flavored, making it in all respects a very desirable sort. It is especially recommended for holding on through hot, dry weather, such as we had in 1901, and remaining crisp and brittle at all times. We most highly recommend it and firmly believe that it will please one and all who give it a trial. Per pkt. 10c, oz. 25c, ¼ lb. 75c.

European-African Musk Melons.
Many Varieties Mixed.
We grow large quantities of melon seed, and when in Europe recently we tried to make arrangements to supply the dealers there, but they would not purchase as they liked their native varieties better. Personally we do not think that they equal the American sorts, but some of our customers may think differently, and we would like to have you compare them. We secured seed from various parts of Europe and Africa and offer them in one grand mixture, which includes many curious sorts, one of which is shown in our cut. Per pkt. 10c.

[image] NEW CONTINUITY LETTUCE.

New Ideal Mammoth Rhubarb.
The Rhubarb (or pie plant) is a vegetable which it is difficult to improve and it takes many years to fully establish a new variety. About 25 years ago Dr. Kennicott, of Illinois, in growing roots for seed, found one which was so far superior to, and different from all others, that he saved it carefully, and the root has been divided and propagated from year to year until finally we purchased the stock. Like all other highly improved sorts it seeds sparingly and comes more nearly true to name when grown from seed than most other sorts. The stalks are as large, if not larger, than the Victoria, and are produced in much greater abundance. Pkt. 10c, oz. 25c. Strong roots 25c each, doz. $2.00.
H. A. Terry, of Crescent, Iowa, writes us: "I pulled six stalks from one plant of the Ideal Rhubarb which weighed with the leaves cut off, 11 pounds.

[image] AFRICAN MELON.

Winter Pineapple or Santa Claus Musk Melon.
This is distinct from any other variety. The skin, instead of being netted, is deeply corrugated, and when ripe, of a rich yellow, intermingled with green. It is almost solid flesh. The flesh is light green, unusually spicy, and delicious, having a rich aromatic pineapple flavor. As it does not ripen on the vines, it should be picked before hard frost and kept in in a cool, dry cellar, where it will keep for months; a few days before wanted for use it should be placed in a warm room to ripen. Pkt. 10c, oz. 25c.

Osage Gem Musk Melon.
Outside like Netted Gem, inside like Osage, it pleases the eye on sight and confirms that impression by its color and exquisite flavor when cut. This new hybrid of Osage and Netted Gem much resembles Paul Rose in size and inside salmon flesh, but in outside skin and netting it is exactly like the Oval Netted Gem with the best style of netting. It has two advantages for the gardener. First, it will sell for highest prices in any market where "Gems" are popular, on the appearance as a first class type of that variety. Second, it will please all customers who prefer salmon flesh. Pkt. 10c, oz. 25c.

[image] NEW IDEAL MAMMOTH RHUBARB.

[image] APPLE PIE MELON

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 water melon and they are easily grown on any good soil. Each vine produces from five to fifteen fruits, and one of the large size melons will make as many pies as half a bushel of apples. We have estimated carefully in our field that one vine would produce an average of about 300 pounds. The flesh is white, solid throughout and of excellent quality for making pies, sauce, preserves, etc., and it 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 can be fed to the live stock. In fact it would pay to grow them for this purpose alone as they can be kept and fed fresh all winter. Sold this year in packets only. Pkt. 10c, 3 pkts. for 25c.

Lemon Cucumber.
A unique curiosity. The fruits are nearly round, with the yellow and green markings and smooth skin of a lemon, while the flesh is exceedingly tender and crisp, with a sweet flavor surpassing all other cucumbers. For slicing they excel; for pickling, ripe or green, one of the best and most attractive, on account of their quaint form. At their best just as they are turning yellow, and if pickled at that time will keep in good condition for several weeks. The vines continue to grow and produce fruits until killed by frost. It is a decided novelty. Per pkt. of 25 seeds 10c.
March 4.--Last year we raised fully $20.00 worth of celery from one five-cent package of your seed and I never saw finer quality.
MRS. SCOTT ASHER, Trenton, Mo.

NOTICE THE ILLUSTRATION OF VEGETABLE NOVELTIES ON BACK COVER OF THIS BOOK.