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Announcement
As this copy of the Manual will reach thousands who have never seen it before, we desire to ask you, one and all, send us a trial order, and whether it be large or small, we will show you that Dorr's Iowa Seeds are unsurpassed .
Dorr's Iowa Seeds
For many years our Seed Manual has made a visit to our friends. Each year the demand for the Manual has increased and our sales with it until now we send our seeds into every State and Territory in the Union. Again we come before the public with our new Manual, cunfidently soliciting your Orders.
Perhaps never in the history of our country have crops been so large and so good as in the year just passing away. The seed harvest, like grain, has been bountiful.
We congratulate our friends and customers that we are able to offer them a splendid supply of the best seeds at reasonable rates.
Shopping by mail - Since tbe seedsman first inaugurated the system of shopping by mail, it has become exceedingly popular in many other commercial branches of business. The advantage to the buyers are great, especially in the seed business. Practically, it places a seed store at every post office in the world; on receiving our seed catalogue, it can be carefully read at home and a selection of seeds made, much better than hurriedly in a crowded store in Spring.
Where do we get our seeds. - "Do you grow all of your seeds? " we are asked a dozen times a day. We do not, nor would you want them if we did. Think of a dozen kinds of melons grown side by side; they would all mix in a single season. We know of no bllsiness requiring as much judgment, care and calculation as the growing of seeds. We grow everything that we can, others we have grown by experienced and careful growers, as much in Iowa as possible. Certain varieties of Vegetables and Flowers, are better and cheaper grown across the water. These we import direct from the most careful foreign growers.
Novelties. - We offer many of the most valuable novelties of recent introduction; yet are backward about selling novelties, until thoroughly tested, as we think it better to lose our own time and money in testing them, than to have our customers imposed on. We therefore feel safe in saying, you will find every new variety just as represented.
Market gardeners who buy seeds in large quantities will please notice the discounts on Vegetable Seeds, at the head of the list. In case you want more than $25 worth, send us the list wanted and we will take pleasure in quoting you prices.
Testing seeds. - Our system is very complete. A sample is taken from every package or bag, which is numbered, counted and planted in the natural soil and manner in the greenhouse; all being recorded in the test books. We then know just what proportion of the seed will grow, and nothing is sold that does not prove good.
We claim that our seeds are fresh and reliable. That with proper treatment, the climate and soil being in a proper condition, they will grow. The prices are as low as good, fresh seeds can be sold for. That our businness is conducted in an honorable and business-like manner.
"Do you warrant your seeds to grow?" - We are asked a dozen times a day. We do not! What wonld you think of a doctor who warranted his medicine to cure every disease that flesh Is heir to; his warrant would be as reasonable, however, as that from the seedsman, who undertakes to insure that his seed will always grow and produce a perfect crop, regardless of how, when or where they may be planted, or what kind of weather or cultivation they may have to grow in. It Is asking entirely too much of any seedsman, and no responsible sane man can afford to make such warrants. In proof of this, all the principal seed houses in Enrope and America plainly print their refusal or non-warrants in their Catalogues, but this does not injure the quality of their seeds in the least, or cause them to be less careful. In fact, nobody knows as well as the intelligent seedsman himself, that his seeds mnst come up to a high standard of quality if he would keep and increase his trade. Whenever the planter is ready to warrant the weather, the ravenous insects that sometimes destroy entire crops of young plants just when they are coming through the ground, and before the planter ever sees them, the manner in which he will plant, cultivate, etc., then we shall only be too glad to warrant our part of the crop - The Seeds. Therefore, while we exercise the greatest possible care to have everything strictly reliable and perfectly satisfactory in every particular, yet we cannot warrant the same and are not liable or responsible for any loss or damage arising from any seeds sold by us.
Promptness. - We endeavor to fill every order, promptly on the day it is received. Our rule is first in first filled, etc. Sometimes it happens, we have such a tremendous rush, we cannot possibly get them off the day they are received, notwithstanding we always expect to work till midnight in the Spring.
Order early. - Thls will enable us to fill the orders promptly, and assure their being filled before our stocks are exhausted or broken.
Order sheets and envelopes. - These are sent with each Manual, for convenience In making out and forwarding your orders.
We will be responsible - That all money sent by Registered Letter, Postal Note, Post Money Order, or Bank Draft will reach us. Small amounts may be sent in stamps when more convenient. Do not moisten them in the least, but place them safely in a sealed letter. Do not send private checks, as they have to be returned for collection. Do not send silver, except in registered package.
Our terms - Are cash with all orders. No goods sent C. O. D.
Remember - That the prices quoted on Vegetable and Flower Seeds (except Peas, Beans and Corn,ln larger quantities than packets), Potatoes by the Pound and other articles where so noted, include mail or express charges prepaid through by us.
Perishable goods - Like potatoes, etc., which are ordered before the season for forwarding, will be held till the proper time and sent as soon as practicable, without further writing by the customers.
Thanking our friends and customers for their generous patronage, we wish you one and all a year of prosperity and happiness.
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DESIRABLE NOVELTIES IN
VEGETABLE SEEDS.
After a careful test of every new vegetable introduced by the trade, we have decided from experience, to offer for 1886 only the following varieties which have proved the best. The yearly increase in our business extending as it does into every State and Territory, has justified our conservatism in our description and claims for new varieties of seeds. We cordially recommend our patrons to make at least a trial of every novelty in this list, and we are convinced that the result will be a profit and pleasure to you.
"Eclipse" Beet.
The originator so aptly d escribes this novelty that we use his exact words: " ECLIPSE" BEET. "A variety of recent origin, but one that has become very popular because of the following advantages. While it is just about as early as the Egyptian, it is better because it is larger and of much finer quality. It makes a small top and produces smooth growing, perfectly round Beets, the skin and flesh of which are of dark crimson color. The fact is, the merit of the Egyptian variety lies altogether in its extreme earliness, and just as soon as other varieties mature no one wants it, so that if we have a variety such as the 'Eclipse' that is almost as early, will qualities that the Egyptian entirely lacks, it must, to a large extent, supplant it." Pkt., 10 cts.; oz., 20 cts.; 1/4 lb., 60 cts.; lb., $2.00.
NEW "KING OF THE GARDEN "
LIMA BEAN.
Introducer claims: " The KING OF THE GARDEN' is a vigorous grower, requiring but two vines to each pole. When not to closely planted, they set their Beans early, at the bottom of the pole, producing a continuous bloom and fruitage to the extreme end of the season. " A more effective display of Lima Bean culture could scarcely be conceived than was presented by some of my fields last Summer. The vines grew luxuriantly, and furnished a bountiful supply of enormous pods, many specimens measuring from FIVE TO EIGHT INCHES, and producing FIVE, SIX, and SEVEN BEANS TO THE POD, all perefectly formed, and possessing superb edible qualities unexcelled by any that have come to my notice during a practical experience in Bean culture covering a period of twenty years. " At the end of the season, after frost has touched the vinces, we gathered the uninjured green pods, and supplied the grocers, who, without exception, pronounced them the FINEST STOCK THEY HAD EVER SOLD, and spoke the most flattering testimonials in their favor. " I think the facts will hear me out in the assertions that the ' KINF OF THE GARDEN' LIMA BEAN is a variety of unexcelled merit, and fully warranting all the praise it has received."-INTRODUCER'S DESCRIPTION. As our stock is limited this year, it will be sold by the packet only. Price, 25 cents per packet.
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DORR'S IOWA SEEDS.
BLACK ALGIERS BEAN.
This magnificent variety cannot be too highly praised, either for snap beans or shell beans for Winter use. It is a week earlier than the German Wx, and the pods are of a beautiful waxy white, even before fully grown, so they can be marketed very early. When of full size the pods are long, brittle, stringless, of a transparent ivory white, tender, succulent, and of rich, creamy flavor. The beans are medium size, oval, white and smooth, and are veru easily threshed. It is, without doubt, the most productive wax bean grown, the vines being a perfect mat of pods the entire season, Pkt., 15 cts.; pint, 40 cts.
THE VALPARAISO SQUASH.
The Valparaiso Squash is a native of Chili, a State in South America, and takes its name from Valparaiso, one of the largest cities in that country. In shape it is oblong, as shown in the engraving, on second cover page of this catalogue, which was made from a photograph of a specimen taken from our field. They grow very uniform in shape, of a rich yellow color outside; the flesh is a rich golden color, solid and thick, with very little hollow or seeds, inside it has a remarkably fine grain and, when cooked, is unusually dry and free from any hard lumps or tough stringy pieces. Owing to its remarkably pleasant flavor, unusual and extra fine grain of the flesh when cooked, it is decidedly the most valuable variety for culinary purposes ever introduced.
Pies or Custards Without Eggs
made with the Valparaiso Squash, are equally as rich and palatable a. when eggs are used in cooking our common varieties of squashes, or best varieties of pie pumpkins. Another peculiarity of this desirable squash, or pumpkin, is its Enormous Productiveness, making it one of the most valuable varieties for feeding purposes. The quantity grown upon one acre, when estimated by tons, would hardly be credited. Pkt., 10 cts. ; 3 for 25 cts.; oz., 30 cts.; 1/4 lb., $1.00 ; lb., $3.50.
New Kinver Yellow Globe Mangel. The London Times, says: "This splendid variety possesses most distinctive features in size, shape and color. Unlike the ordinary Globe Mangel, it is of greater girth at the top or shoulder than at the middle of the bulb, whence it gradually tapers to a perfect tap root. Its skin, which is as fine as that of an apple, is as far as it penetrates the soil, of a bright orange tint. It is of superb quality and an enormous cropper; the great weight of eighty-four tons per acre having been grown on it, and single bulbs weighing forty-flve pounds each," Oz., 10 cts.; 1/4 lb., 20 cts.; lb., 60cts.
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DORR'S IOWA SEEDS.
NEW PEA, STRATAGEM. This is claimed to be the finest dwarf wrinkled pea grown,and it certainly is deserving of very strong praise. Its habit of growth is like the Pride of the Market, growmg to a height of two feet, and the strong, sturdy haulm is literally covered with immense pods. Many of the pods measure nearly 5% inches in length. and contain as high as ten large, fine flavored wrinkled peas. Stratagem is a most prolific variety, and the pods are always well filled. In table quality. none can surpass it. Pkt., 15 cts.; pt 45 cts.; qt., 80 cts.
Stratagem
From the Rural New Yorker: "STRATAGEM". "A remarkable variety. Vines are very strong, and needing but a slight support. Twenty pods to a vine, The vine branches just under the surface of the soil, two stems, generally of equal vigor, growing to a height of 2 to 2 1/2 feet. The pods are generally borne singly.
"On July 11th, 200 pods weighed 80 ounces, contained 1420 seeds, which weighed 42 ounces. The quality is excellent. It will be seen that this is the most prolific of all. and gives the greatest number and weight of seeds to a pod, as well as the largest pods. " Pkt., 15 cts,; pt.,50 cts.; qt., 80 cts.; postpaid, by mail.
NEW PEA, PRIDE OF THE MARKET.
The famous new English Pea, introduced for first time one year ago, has given such great satistaction that we were entirely unable to supply the demand for the seed last season. We have, however, harvested a larger crop this year, and hope to have sufficient for all demands It grows from eighteen in. to two feet hlgh and bears grand pods, well filled with large and fine flavored peas, from top to bottom of the haulm. Its robust constitution, enormous productiveness and superior appearance, ensures its acceptance as a market favorite with the public. The following is an extract from The Gardener's Magazine. of August 13,1881: "They are certainly the most useful to amateurs not overburdened with space, and market growe rs who cannot well employ supports, for they require no sticks, and are quite unequalled in productiveness. They have a robust free-branching habit, and attain a height ranging from 18 to 24 inches, according to the weather and the soil, and are immensely productive. They are, indeed, such heavy croppers that I know of no peas from which so large a bulk of produce can be obtained from a given space; indeed, no such varieties exist.
Their productiveness is by no means their only recommendation, for the pods are so large in size, and handsome in appearance, that they take high rank for exhibition purppses. and the peas when on the table, are of so splendid a quality that it would be difficult to over-praise them." Pkt., 5 cts,; pt., 40 cts.; qt., 75 cts.; by mail, postpaid.
Lane's Imperial Sugar Beet. The result of several years' careful selections from the above; flesh white and sweet. An average of fifteen tons can be produced per acre of this variety. , Oz., 10 cts.; 1/4 lb., 25 cts.; lb., 75 cts.