ENPages
Complete
1
[front cover]
Iowa Seed Co.
Des Moines, Ia.
22nd Annual
Catalogue
and
Garden Guide
1892
[image (vase with gladiolus flowers)]
[text in image: NEW ROYAL QUEEN GLADIOLUS]
[text in image: See Page 44]
[image (collection of fruits and vegetables including stalk of celery, watermelon, head of cauliflower, musk melon, three medium and one large radish and two ears of corn)]
[text in image: Edtl]
Western Lith Co. Des Moines IA
Complete
2
[inside front cover]
INDEX TO CATALOGUE.
VEGETABLE SEEDS.
[name... ] PAGE
Artichoke… 11
Asparagus… 11
Beans, Dwarf… 2-3-25
“[Beans,] Pole… 3-25
Beet… 3-4
“[Beet,] Sugar… 4
Borecole or Kale… 12
Broccoli… 11
Brussels Sprouts… 11
Cabbage… 6
Carrot… 7
Cauliflower… 7
Celery… 8
Celeriac… 8
Chervil… 11
Chicory… 11
Collards… 11
Corn, Pop… 9-25
“[Corn,] Sweet… 9-25
“[Corn,] Salad… 11
Cress… 11
Cucumber… 10
Dandelion… 7
Egg Plant… 11
Endive… 11
Garlic… 11
Gourds… 12
Garden Lemon… 12
Ground Cherry… 11
Herbs… 7
Kale… 12
Kohl Rabi… 12
Leek… 12
Lettuce… 13
Mangel Wurzel… 4
Martynia… 15
Melon, Musk… 14-15
“[Melon,] Water… 15-16
Mustard… 12
Nasturtium… 36
Okra or Gumbo… 12
Onion… 17-18
“[Onion,] Sets… 27
Parsley… 15
Parsnip… 20
Peas… 19-25
Pepper… 20
Potatoes… 20
Pumpkin… 20
Radish… 21-22
Rhubarb… 22
Ruta Baga… 25
Salsify… 22
Spinach… 22
Squash… 21-23
Tobacco… 22
Tomato… 24
Turnip… 25
Vegetable Plants and Roots… 27
Vine Peach… 22
FLOWER SEEDS.
[name... ] PAGE
Abronia… 31
Abutilon… 32
Aconitum… 32
Acroclinium… 32
Adlumia… 32
Adonis… 31
Agrostemma… 31
Ageratum… 31
Alyssum… 30-31
Amaranthus… 32
Ampelopsis… 32
Anagallis… 31
Amobium… 32
Antirrhinum… 32
Aqu1legia[Aquilegia]… 32
Arabis… 32
Argemone… 32
Asperula… 31
Asters… 30-32
Balloon Vine… 32
Balsam… 32
Begonia… 33
Bellis… 29-34
Beets, Foliage… 32
Brachycome… 32
Browallia… 32
Bryonopsis… 33
Cacalia… 33
Cactus… 33
Camlampelis… 33
Calendula… 33
Calliopsis… 30-33
Campanula… 33
Canary Bird Vine… 33
Candytuft… 29-33
Canna… 33
Canterbury Bell… 33
Carnation… 28-34
Catchfly… 34
Celosia… 33
Centaurea… 30-33
Chrysanthemum… 29-33
Cineraria… 33
Clarkia… 33
Cleome… 34
Clianthus… 33
Coboea… 34
Cockscomb… 29-33
Coleus… 33
Convolvulus… 33
Cosmos… 40
Cuphea… 33
Cyclamen… 34
Cypress Vine… 34
Dahlia… 34
Daisies… 29-34
Datura… 34
Delphinium… 34
Dianthus… 34
Digitalis… 34
Dolichos… 34
Edelweiss… 34
Eschscholtzia [Eschscholzia]… 34
Euphorbia… 34
[name... ] PAGE
Ferns… 34
Freesia… 34
Fuchsia… 34
Gaillardia… 34
Geranium… 35
Gilia… 35
Gladolius, Seed… 35
Globe Amaranth… 35
Gloxinia… 35
Gnaphalium… 35
Godetia… 35
Gourds, Ornamental… 34
Grasses, ornamental… 41
Grass Pinks… 35
Gypsophila… 35
Helianthus… 35
Heliotrope… 35
Helichrysum… 35
Hibiscis[Hibiscus]… 35
Hollyhock… 35
Humulus… 35
Hyacinthus… 35
Ice Plant… 35
Ipomea… 30-35
Iris… 35
Lantana… 35
Larkspur… 28-36
Lathyrus… 35
Linum… 36
Lobelia… 36
Lupinus… 36
Lychnis… 36
Marigold… 36
Martynia… 36
Marvel of Peru… 36
Matricaria… 36
Maurandia… 36
Mignonette… 36
Mimulus… 36
Mimosa… 39
Mirabilis… 36
Mixed Flower Seed… 41
Moon Flower… 36
Myosotis… 36
Nasturtium… 36
Nicotiana… 39
Nigella… 39
Novelties in Flower Seeds… 28-29-30-31
Œnothera[Oenothera]… 39
Oxalis… 39
Pansy… 37-38
Pardanthus… 41
Passion Flower… 29
Perilla… 39
Petunia… 38
Phlox… 29-31-38
Poppy… 29-38-39
Portulaca… 38
Primula… 39
Pyrethrum… 38
Rhodanthe… 39
Ricinus… 39
Salpiglosis[Salpiglossis]… 28-39
Salvia… 39
Scabiosa… 39
[name... ] PAGE
Schizanthus… 39
Sedum… 39
Sensitive Plant… 39
Smilax… 39
Spraguea… 39
Statice… 39
Stevia… 39
Stocks… 31-39
Sweet Peas… 40
Sweet William… 39
Sunflower… 39
Thunbergia… 40
Torenia… 40
Tropæolum… 40
Verbena… 40
Vinca… 40
Violet… 40
Wallflower… 40
Wahlenbergia… 41
Whitlavia… 40
Wild Cucumber… 40
Wisteria… 40
Xeranthemum… 40
Zinnias… 41
FLOWERING PLANTS AND BULBS.
Abutilons… 45
Achania… 45
Achillea… 45
Aloysia… 45
Alternanthera… 45
Amaryllis… 41
Ampelopsis… 45
Apios Tuberosa… 41
Aristilochio[Aristolochia]… 45
Artillery Plant… 45
Astilbe Japonica… 51
Asparagus… 45
Begonias… 45-46
Blackberry Lily… 41
Bleeding Heart… 41
Brazilian Plume… 46
Cactus… 46
Caladium… 41
Calla… 42-47
Cannas… 41
Carnations… 47
Chrysanthemums… 47
Chinese Sacred Lily… 44
Cinnamon Vine… 42-48
Cineraria… 48
Clematis… 47
Coboea… 48
Coleus… 48
Cruel Plant… 48
Cyperus… 48
Cuphea… 48
Cyclamen… 41-48
Dahlias… 42
Daisy… 48
Dieletra… 41
Dollar Collection… 44-53 and 2d page cover.
[name... ] PAGE
Farfugium… 48
Ferns… 48
Feverfew… 48
Forget-me-not… 51
Fuchsias… 48-49
Gazania… 50
Genista… 50
Geraniums… 49
Gladiolus… 42
Gleahoma… 49
Grass Pinks… 50
Hardy Climbing Vines… 57
Hardy Herbaceous Plants… 58
Hardy Shrubs… 57
Helianthus… 50
Heliotropes… 50
Hibiscus… 50
Hoya Carnosa… 50
Hyacinthus… 43
Hydrangeas… 50
Iris… 51
Ivies… 50
Lantana… 50
Lilies… 43
Lily of the Valley… 42
Lion’s Tail… 50
Manetta Vine… 50
Maurandia… 50
Maderia Vine… 43
Moon Flower… 51
Marguerite… 51
Montbretia… 43
Mountain Pink… 51
Musk Plant… 51
Myosotis… 51
Oxalis… 44-51
Orchids… 51
Oleander… 51
Othonna… 51
Palms… 51
Pansies… 51
Passiflora… 51
Pelargoniums… 51
Petunias… 51
Pansy Geranium… 49
Primrose… 51
Resurrection Plant… 53
Roses… 52-53
Sedum… 53
Stevia… 53
Spider Lily… 43
Saxafraga[Saxifraga]… 53
Smilax… 53
Sanseviera… 53
Stapelia… 53
Tigridias… 44
Torenia… 53
Tritonia… 51
Tuberose… 44
Verbenas… 53
Vinca… 53
Violets… 53
Winter or Fail Bulbs… 44
Wahlenbergia… 51
[name... ] PAGE
Yucca Filimentosa[Filamentosa]… 51
Zephyranthes… 43
FARM SEEDS.
Barley… 60
Buckwheat… 60
Broom Corn… 61
Clover… 59
Flax… 60
Field Peas… 61
Grass Seed… 59-61
Kaffir Corn… 61
Lawn Grass… 59
Oats… 60
Rye… 60
Seed Corn… 62
Sugar Cane… 61
Sunflower… 61
Tree Seeds… 61
Wheat… 60
NURSERY STOCK.
Apples… 54
Apricots… 55
Blackberries… 55
Buffalo Berry… 58
Crab Apples… 54
Cherries… 54
Currants… 56
Dewberry… 55
Evergreens… 58
Flowering Shrubs… 57
Grapes… 55
Gooseberry… 56
Herbaceous Plants… 58
Mulberry… 55
Ornamental Trees… 57
Pears… 55
Plums… 55
Raspberry… 55
Strawberry… 56
Vines and Creepers… 57
MISCELLANEOUS.
Books on Gardening… 58
Berry Boxes… 65
Broadcast Seeders… 63-64
Chuffas[Chufas]… 11
Fertilizers… 65
Flower Pots… 65
Garden Tools… 63-64
Garden Trowels… 65
Hand Weeders… 65
Incecticides[Insecticides]… 65
Onion Sets… 27
Pea Nuts… 27
Plant Food… 65
Plant Sprinklers… 65
Potatoes… 26
Potato Knife… 65
Raffia… 65
Sweet Potatoes… 27
Sage Plants… 27
DOLLAR COLLECTIONS
Of Flowering Plants, Fruit Plants, Hardy Shrubs, Bulbs, etc.
Very desirable and cheap assortments, sure to be popular with our customers. These cannot be changed or divided but will be sent postpaid, or will send larger and better plants if purchaser pays charges.
No. 1. Five plants each of Jessie, Warfield, Bubach No. 5, Pearl and Lady Rusk strawberries—all for… $1.00
No. 2. Five Jessie and 5 Bubach No. 5 Strawberry, 2 Downing Gooseberries, 1 Russian Mulberry, 1 Victoria Currant and 1 Spirea Belardi (red)… 1.00
No. 3. Two Downing Gooseberry, 2 Red Dutch Currant, and 1 each of Golden Queen, Cuthbert, Shaffer’s Colossal and Oblo Raspberries… 1.00
No. 4. Ten Hardy Catalpa (12 to 18 inch), 5 Russian Mulberry, and 1 each Red, White and Pink Spirea… 1.00
No. 5. One Pink Lilac, 1 Rose Acacia, 1 Deutzia, 1 Spirea and 1 Japan Quince… 1.00
No. 6. One Trumpet Vine, 1 Red Honey Suckle, 1 Wistaria, 1 Syringa and 1 Spirea… 1.00
No. 7. One Yellow Harrison Rose, 1 Deutzia, 1 Red Almond and 1 two to three ft. Mountain Ash… 1.00
No. 8. Two Norway Spruce, 2 Scotch Pine, 1 White Pine and 1 White Spruce (12 to 18 inch)… 1.00
No. 9. Five Norway Spruce, 5 Scotch Pine, and 5 European Larch (8 to 12 inch)… 1.00
No. 10. One Scotch Pine, 1 White Pine, 1 Norway Spruce, 1 White Spruce, 1 Red Cedar, 1 Arbor Vitæ and 1 Balsam Fir… 1.00
No. 11. Surprise Collection—a nice assortment of 15 choice house plants, our selection, but all nice sorts, properly labeled. A splendid collection sure to please everyone… 1.00
No. 12. Fifteen Geraniums, of the best sorts, our selection of varieties… 1.00
No. 13. Fifteen choice Roses, our selection of varieties… 1.00
No. 14. Twenty best Coleus. Will make an attractive, bright colored bed… 1.00
No. 15. Twenty Verbenas, of the best sorts… 1.00
No. 16. Twenty-five choice Pansies, an elegant assortment… 1.00
No. 17. Fifteen Chrysanthemums, best sorts, will make a grand showing in the fall if well grown… 1.00
No. 18. Thirty-five packets choice Vegetable Seeds, all good sorts, our selection of varieties… 1.00
No. 19. Thirty-five packets choice Flower Seeds. comprising Annuals, Biennials, Perennials, Climbers. Everlastings and Ornamental Grasses — a splendid assortment… 1.00
No. 20. Twenty-five choice flowering and ornamental bulbs, all properly labeled, our selection… 1.00
There are no discounts or premiums which go with the above Collections, except that we will send any six Collections for $5.00
Complete
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[1]
Ellis T. Pierce, President.
M. Kurtzweil, Vice-President.
Established 1871. Incorporated 1889.
M. L. Page, Secretary.
Chas. N. Page, Treas. and Gen’l Mgr.
OFFICE OF
IOWA SEED CO.,
903-905 WALNUT STREET.
Des Moines, Iowa, January 1, 1892.
[image (three story building with ornate brickwork and two horse carriages in foreground)]
[text in image (on top of building): IOWA SEED COMPANY]
To Our Friends and Patrons:
An introduction to this book seems unnecessary when we consider that now for twenty-two years it has annually been sent out to our thousands of customers in all parts of the country, but still so many changes are constantly occurring—old customers and friends have been called away to another home as ripe sheaves garnered.],] new friends have taken their places, and new names have been added to our rapidly growing lists of patrons.[,] who are not so familiar with the history of our well know: seed house. When we started, most gardeners were purchasing their seeds from the corner grocery stores, and it was rarely that a good garden or a handsome, well arranged flower bed was seen. The well known and now greatly lamented James Vick was then striving to attract the attention of the general public to the beauties of the floral kingdom, and to his untiring work and enthusiasm during the last fifteen years of his life, seconded by such firms as ours, is due the prominence which flowers now have, with their refining influences. During the same year in which we began the late Peter Henderson added a seed department to his already well known greenhouse establishment, which was the foundation of the present large New York City house which bears his name. During the past year another well known seedsman of that time, George S. Haskell, has passed away, and most of the present seed houses have been quite recently established and are new in the business.
In this, our catalogue for 1832. we desire first of all to most sincerely thank our patrons for their valued orders of the past year, and their many kind letters telling how much they think of our Choice Iowa Seeds. We are striving to grow and supply our customers with the best seeds, bulbs and plants that can be grown or procured, and it is pleasing to know that our efforts have been successful and are appreciated.
Iowa is truly the garden spot of the United States; the soil and climate are peculiarly adapted for the growing and perfecting of seed crops. There has been much talk in recent years of Northern grown seeds, surrounded with pictures of reindeers, polar bears and icebergs, but it is a fact that there are very few varieties of seeds which will mature to perfection north of the north line of this State, and one of the northern seedsmen recently Informed us that many of their “northern grown” seeds they had grown for them in Georgia, where they could be grown cheap, while we have the same varieties grown for us in about the latitude of Des Moines. Many of the best posted and most particular eastern seed firms now have seeds grown for them here, and we would suggest to western planters the advisability of ordering direct from us, instead of sending east and having the freight both ways added to the cost of their seeds.
Please examine all parts of this book which we aim to make not simply a catalogue, but a garden guide, which will be of service to all. Our list of seeds will be found to contain all that is best for garden and field culture, and we have added more than one hundred new and carefully prepared illustrations, designed to convey the most truthful conceptions, so that our customers will better understand just what they are buying.
Novelties.—So careful and conservative are we in offering new varieties that it is very rarely that we drop any variety from our list unless supplanted by a more recent and valuable introduction. This year we offer quite a number of well tested novelties which will be found under their proper classification in the body of this book, as we have done away with the separate novelty sheet usually printed on colored paper, it being somewhat confusing to the general purchaser.
Among the newer varieties, and among those which are not, strictly speaking, novelties, we would call your special attention to the following as very desirable: Market Gardeners’ Beet, Crosby’s Egyptian Beet, Faultless Cabbage, Grand Rapids Lettuce, Shumway’s Giant Melon, Dixie Water Melon, Prizetaker and Barletta Onion, Chinese Mustard, Stanley Peas, etc.
The novelties and varieties of special merit in Flower Seeds, Plants, Bulbs. Nursery Stock, Ornamental Shrubs, Field Seeds, Potatoes and Tools, will be found under their proper headings, exceptionally well illustrated and described, and we hope you will look carefully through each department, for in the very one in which you think you have the least interest you may find the items of greatest value to you.
In looking over the past season’s orders we are pleased to notice that the farmers are awakening to the importance of renewing their seed corn, oats, wheat and other field seeds, grains and grasses, and desire the best and most profitable varieties. In view of this we have paid more a[t]tention than ever before to having grown for us in the most favorable localities a supply of the best kinds carefully saved and cleaned for seed purposes, and we verily believe we have a better assortment of such seeds which are desirable for western planters than any firm in the United States.
Again thanking you for past favors and respectfully soliciting a continuance of your patronage, we remain,
Your Friends,
IOWA SEED COMPANY.
SUGGESTIONS TO CUSTOMERS.
ORDER EARLY.—The best time to order is just as soon as you receive this catalogue as we can always give your orders more of our personal attention if they come in before the rush of the spring trade. Please use the order sheet, as it makes it more convenient for us in filling orders. Terms are invariably cash with order, as we keep no book accounts in our mail order department, and the expense of sending goods C. O. D. is quite large. Postage stamps received as cash.
SHIPPING DIRECTIONS.—In ordering please state whether it will be convenient for you to receive your goods by express, and if so, name your nearest express office, as all orders weighing two pounds and upwards will be forwarded by express if possible.
CHARGES PREPAID.—All seeds, bulbs and plants, except those noted, are sent prepaid by mail or express by the quickest and most direct route, unless ordered otherwise, and we guarantee their safe arrival.
TESTING.—All seeds are carefully tested, and nothing sent out which we do not believe to be good in every respect.
OUR PRICES.—Our constant aim is to make the highest quality the first consideration, and next to put our prices as low as good reliable seeds can be sold. It is to your advantage to buy direct from the grower, as we know more of the freshness, the purity, and reliability of our seed than a dealer who buys all of his stock.
DISCOUNTS.— On all orders for seeds in packets the purchaser may select twenty-five cents worth extra for each one dollar sent us. This refers only to seeds in packets, not in bulk.
For other discounts see heading of the respective classes of goods. Each year we put up thousands of packets of seeds for free distribution among our customers, by adding liberally of them to orders. We will allow you a discount of ten cents per pound on vegetable seeds, such as are listed as prepaid, if you are willing to have them sent by express or freight at your expense.
WHAT WE GUARANTEE.—That all money sent us for seeds shall reach us if sent by registered letter, P. O. or express money order, or bank draft, made payable to our order. That your order will be filled promptly and well. That goods ordered will reach you safely.
COLLECTIONS.—In various parts of this book will be found desirable assortments of seeds, plants, etc., offered at low prices. Keep a copy of your order. Frequently persons think they have ordered articles which they have omitted, and blame us for not sending them.
☞NOTICE.—The importance of Good Seeds cannot be overestimated, and we are certain that after a trial all our customers will agree that our seeds are the purest and best to be had. Still, when it is considered how many are the contingencies on which the success of any crop depends, our customers will readily see that it would be sheer folly for anyone to warrant them to produce a perfect crop, and we want it distinctly understood that while we exercise the greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not give any warranty, express or implied. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms and conditions, they are to be returned at once, and money that has been paid for same will be refunded. However, we have so much confidence in our seeds that we hereby agree to refill any retail order for vegetable or flower seeds free of charge should they prove otherwise than as we represent them.
We know of no responsible seed firm in the world who guarantees seeds any further than this. Compare with other seed catalogues and you will find that we are right.
OUR RESPONSIBILITY.—As this book will probably go into the hands of many who are unacquainted with us, this question will naturally arise, and in answer to the same we respectfully refer you by permission to W. D. Lucas, cashier of the Valley National Bank, of this city.
MARKET GARDENERS and others who buy Vegetable Seeds in Bulk to the amount of $5.00 or more are requested to send for our Market Gardeners’ Price List. This list for market gardeners is intended only for large buyers, and is exclusively for those orders for vegetable seeds alone by weight or measure amounting to $5.00 or over. Club orders which call for this amount of bulk seeds altogether are entitled these prices.
Complete
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[2]
* A Selected List of *
CHOICE VEGETABLE SEEDS.
From Good Seeds Only Can Good Vegetables be Grown.
Seeds by Mail Postpaid.
In comparing our Catalogue with others, please remember that our prices include the prepayment of postage or express charges, on all seeds by the packet, ounce, quarter pound, pound and quart, and thus you have them delivered to your door at prices named in the Catalogue. This includes postage on Beans, Peas and Corn by the quart, but not by the peck or bushel.
Discounts on Packets.—It takes almost as much time and labor to record and fill an order amounting to 25 cents as one for one dollar’s worth or over, consequently to induce the sending of larger orders for packet seeds we offer to send seeds in packets only (not by weight or measure) to the amount of 60 cents for 50 cents; to the amount of $1.25 for $1.00; $2.60 for $2.00; $4.00 for $3.00, or $6.75 for $5.00. This does not apply to seeds in bulk, nor to plants, bulbs, or anything else in our line.
BEANS—Dwarf Bush Varieties—Ger. Bohnen.
One quart will plant one hundred feet of drill.
Dwarf or Bush Beans require no support, bears immensely, and should be planted in drills, an inch and a half deep and drop the beans three inches apart in the drills. Beans are tender annuals and cannot be planted till danger of frost is past. Keep clean, but do not hill up or hoe when wet. A sandy loam is most desirable. The half pint packages will be found very desirable for small families. We furnish pints at one half the quart price.
[text box]
PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE.
See special prices by the peck and bushel at the end of this list.
[end of text box]
[image (self-supporting bean plant)]
[image caption: IMPROVED VALENTINE.]
IMPROVED EARLY VALENTINE.
About ten days earlier than any other strain of this well-known variety. In addition to this it is more robust and vigorous, and produces the true, round, curved pods very abundantly. Unexcelled in quality and in uniformity of ripening, nearly the Whole crop can be taken at one picking, usually within thirty-five days from time of planting. Of great value to market gardeners on this account. Per pkt. 5 cts.; ½ pint 15c; quart 40 cts.
[image (bean bush)]
[text in image: KING TOWLE & CO. M?]
[text in image: COPYRIGHTED 1889]
[image caption: CURRIE’S RUST-PROOF GOLDEN WAX.]
CURRIE’S RUST-PROOF GOLDEN WAX.—It is positively rust proof. While grown side by side for several years with other Wax Beans, all of them more or less affected by rust, many of them completely ruined by it, this Bean has remained entirely free from it. Exceedingly crisp and tender, with no approach whatever to stringiness, and of a most delicious flavor. As early as the Golden Wax, and it is, moreover, amazingly productive. The accompanying cut is no exaggeration, but a very faithful representation of the plant as it is usually seen if properly grown. Pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 20c; qt. 60c.
GOLDEN WAX.—The most popular of any Wax Beans grown. About ten days earlier than Black Wax; pods golden yellow, tender and rich. We consider this by all odds the best of the older varieties for general use. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 12c; qt. 40c.
WARDWELL’S KIDNEY WAX.—Earlier than the above and yields fully one-third greater, making it very valuable to market gardeners. Pods long, of a delicate waxy yellow color and fine buttery flavor. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt, 15c; qt. 50c.
YOSEMITE MAMMOTH WAX.—Second only in value and distinctiveness to the Bush Lima is this wonderful Wax variety. The pods are nearly all solid pulp and absolutely stringless, cooking tender and delicious. They average 10 to 14 inches in length, and are a rich golden color, making a most handsome appearance either on the plant or on the table. The Yosemite combines size, productivenes [productiveness] and quality in one variety. Pkt 10c, ½ pt. 25c; quart, 80 cents.
DWARF HORTICULTURAL.—This has all the good qualities of the old Horticultural Pole Bean, and is much easier to cultivate, because of being a dwarf variety. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 20c; qt. 60c.
HENDERSON’S NEW BUSH LIMA.—Another year only adds to our high opinion of this really remarkable variety. It is worthy of all the high praise given it. It grows in compact bush form, and produces enormous crops of delicious Lima Beans, which can be as easily gathered as the common garden bush bean. The New Bush Lima is at least two weeks earlier than any of the climbing Limas. It produces a continuous crop from the time it comes into bearing (it is fit for the table in this latitude by the middle of July) until frost, and being enormously productive, a very small patch will keep a family supplied with this splendid vegetable throughout the season. The quality is simply delicious, and we advise all our customers to give it a trial. Per pkt. 10c; ½ pt. 20c; qt. 60c.
[image (bean plant)]
[image caption: EARLY MOHAWK.]
EARLY MOHAWK.—Very early, and will stand more cold weather than most bush varieties. For this reason it is desirable for early planting. It is an old variety of established reputation. Pods five to six inches long. Per packet, 5 cts; ½ pt, 12 cts; quart, 35 cents.
Complete
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3
Iowa Seed Company, Des Moines, Iowa.
CALIFORNIA BRANCH, OR PROLIFIC TREE.—This is quite a valuable variety for field culture; grows about 20 inches high, has stiff, upright branches and bears immensely, sometimes yielding forty-five bushels to the acre. The beans closely resemble the White Navy. (See cut.) Per pkt. 50; ½ pt. 15c; qt. 40c.
[image (Prolific Tree bean plant)]
[image caption: PROLIFIC TREE]
EARLY CHINA RED EYE.—Great bearer. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pint 12c; qt. 35c.
EARLY REFUGEE, or Thousand to One—Very prolific; pods thick and fleshy. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 12c; qt. 35c.
LARGE WHITE MARROW.—Excellent as a shelled bean; cooks in twenty minutes. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 12c; qt. 35c.
The wax beans are all stringless, and for the family garden are to be preferred to the green podded varieties.
WHITE WAX—Pods waxy yellow. very tender. Per pkt. 5C; ½ pt. 12c; qt. 40c.
BLACK WAX—One of the most popular varieties with all market gardeners. Pods fleshy, waxy yellow, tender. Per pkt. 5c; ½ pt. 12c; qt. 40c.
REMEMBER.
We pay the postage on Beans at these prices. Deduct fifteen cents on each quart if to be sent by expresss[express].
BEANS—Pole or Running Varieties
Ger. Stangen-Bohnen.
One quart will plant 100 to 150 hills.
These succeeded best in clay loam, which should be liberally enriched with short manure in the hills which are formed according to the variety, from three to four feet apart; from five to six seeds are planted in each hill, about two inches deep. After planting all beans, be sure and firm the ground either with feet or roller.
LAZY WIFE’S.—The very best LATE green-podded pole bean. The pods of a medium, dark-green color, broad, thick, very fleshy and entirely stringless. The pods retain their rich, tender and stringless qualities until nearly ripe, and at all stages are unsurpassed for snap-shorts, being peculiarly luscious. Each pod contains from six to eight round white beans, which make excellent winter shell beans. They have also yielded well planted among corn. Per pkt., 10c; ½ pt., 20c; qt., 60c.
[image (Pole bean plant and detail of one enlarged bean pod)]
[text in image: LAZY WIFE’S POLE BEAN]
KING OF THE GARDEN LIMA.—While the dried beans are about the same size as the common large Lima, the green beans are of unusual size. The pods are very long, and frequently contain four to six very large beans. Specimens have been selected five on a stem, and each pod containing five beans, The beans are so large and handsome that they sell well on market, while in quality they are excellent. The pods are produced in large clusters, and the luxuriant vines present a beautiful sight, so thickly laden. Per pkt., 5c; ½ pt., 15c; qt., 50c.
[image (stem with four lima bean pods with one pod open and showing five individual beans)]
[text in image: A.BLANC PHILA]
[image caption: KING OF GARDEN LIMA]
HORTICULTURAL POLE.—Pkt., 5c; ½ pt., 12c; qt., 40c.
LARGE WHITE LIMA.—Per pkt., 5c; ½ pt,[.], 15c; qt., 45c.
CUT SHORTS.—The old fashioned corn-field bean, which is so popular and often so difficult to obtain. Per pkt., 5c: ½ pt., 20c: qt., 55c.
SCARLET RUNNER.—A favorite snap bean in Europe, vaiuable[valuable] for table use; or as an ornamental vine. Per pkt., 5c; ½ pt,[.], 20c; qt., 60c.
YARD LONG.—A great curiosity, and withal a bean of excellent quality. Pods three feet long and highly ornamental. Tender and of asparagus flavor. Pkt., 10c.
BEETS—Ger. Runkel Rube.
One ounce sows 50 feet of drill; 4 to 6 pounds for one acre.
For early, sow as soon as the ground can be worked, and about the middle of May for general crop, in drills fifteen inches apart and one and a half inches deep. As the plants grow, thin to six inches in drills. The young plants make excellent greens. The seed will germinate more freely if soaked in warm water for twenty-four hours before sowing; but care should be taken not to plant soaked seed in very dry ground; the soil should be a deep rich loam.
IOWA SEED CO’S NEW MARKET GARDENERS’ BEET. —This is undoubtedly one of the best novelties ever introduced, and it receives much praise from our customers each year. Its shape is well illustrated by the accompanying engraving. As will be noticed, it is very symmetrical, with small tap root and but few fibrous roots. Unusually small tops. Although on some soils the Egyptian can be marketed a few days before the Market Gardeners, still within a week it will be found larger than the Egyptian, while it continues to grow until late in the fall, attaining a large size, and making a good eating and selling beet for winter. By the first of October they measure eight inches in diameter and average six pounds each in weight. One sowing only is necessary to produce early beets for market and main crop for winter use, which is not the case with any other variety. Color, deep blood red; fine grained and unsurpassed in quality. Summing it all up, we find in it the Best Beet for Early Market. the Best Beet for Winter Use. Owing to the small tops permitting them to be grown close together, and the peculiar shape of the bulb, it is the Most Profitable Beet for the Market Gardener and for the family garden of any we know of. —Mr. E. S. Goff, of the Geneva Experiment Station. says: “It is a short, conical variety of large size and quick growth.” Wm. Henry Maule says: “I consider it the best general purpose beet in cultivation.”
A hail storm destroyed nearly our entire crop this year, so that we can only offer the seed in packets—3 for 25c.; each 10c.
[image (bare Market Garadeners’ beet with top cut off short)]
[text in image: MARKET GARDENERS’ BEET]
CROSBY’S IMPROVED EGYPTIAN.—We believe this to be the earliest variety of beet in existence. It was originated by Josiah Crosby, a leading market gardener for the Boston market, and is a great improvement on the old Egytian, being [entry continues on next page]
[image (beet)]
[image caption: CROSBY’S IMPROVED EGYPTIAN]