1905

24. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

FARM SEED DEPARTMENT. AS THE FARM CROP is more important to the general welfare of the country than any other, so the Farm Seed Department should have the pre-eminence in seed catalogues. Realizing the vast importance of this branch of our business, we devote our careful attention to the growth and selection of the best farm seeds of all sorts. Our seed grain is grown especially for seed in the section best suited to its development and perfect maturity, is all carefully selected, thoroughly cleaned, of the best quality and we sell at reasonable prices. WE TAKE PRIDE in our large and increasing trade in this branch of our business. With our new and convenient building and improved machinery for cleaning, which is as perfect as any in the United States, we are enabled to clean seeds perfectly, far better than those commonly sold. High grade seed grain.--It costs more to grow a crop for seed purposes than the ordinary farmer can understand. It requires extra choice stock seed, special preparation of the land, special cultivation, great care in harvesting, cleaning, testing, preparing for shipment, bags, etc., etc., so that we are obliged to ask a considerable advance over market prices, but any intelligent farmer will agree with us that such pedigreed seed is well worth to him the price we ask.--It always pays to grow the best.

PRICES named in this department are subject to important market changes. Quotations are net and are not subject to premium or discount which is offered on other seeds. Clover and grass seeds are constantly varying in value, and we issue a price list daily during the busy season. Please write for quotations, sending list of requirements, when in need. Orders sent us will be given benefit of lowest prices on day order is received. Will take pleasure in mailing samples and quoting inside prices at any time, on large orders.

[image] SEEDS BULBS ONLY ONE QUALITY. THE BEST PLANTS TOOLS

SHIPPING--In this department everything that is quoted by the packet or pound is sent by mail postpaid; all large quantities unless noted, are sent by express or freight, at the expense of the purchaser. Prices named include bags (except on clover and grass seeds) and delivering to depot here. NOTICE--While we exercise great care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we give no warranty, expressed or implied. However, if the seeds are not satisfactory on receipt and examination, they are to be returned to us at once and we will refund the money.

OUR EXPERIMENTAL GROUNDS.--We are continually experimenting with farm seeds on our trial grounds by having plats of each variety of grain and grass seed sown or planted which enables us to determine their relative values. This enables us to better answer the inquiries of our customers regarding crops suitable to their requirements.

It costs less than 25 cents an acre to use our carefully selected SEED CORN.

SEED CORN

Do you deem it wise to risk doubtful corn when GOOD SEED is so cheap?

THIS is our great specialty. We claim to be headquarters for seed corn in the United States, and are pleased to say that we are in a better position than ever before to furnish the choicest seed from the best thoroughbred varieties of corn. We have had no frosts in this section of the country to injure the crops. They were all thoroughly matured and in excellent condition for seed purposes before frost could damage them, and we are confident that we can furnish the best quality and the best varieties obtainable. Write us your wants.

Thirty-Four Years ago when we began in the seed business, farmers would not buy seed corn. Every man saved his own seed, and it was considered a folly to buy seed corn. In 1881 we introduced a new variety and those venturesome enough to try it were greatly pleased. But still the sale was very limited. In 1892 we originated and introduced the Iowa Gold Mine which sprang at once into prominence, as it was, and is yet, the deepest grained and smallest cobbed variety ever brought out. Since that time we have introduced Iowa Silver Mine, Early Longfellow Dent, Improved Early Mastodon, Lenocher's Homestead, Star Leaming, New Century Wonder, Profit, Farmer's Reliance, Golden West and Improved World's Fair, which have all become very popular and are everywhere the best of their class.

[image] WHERE WE HANDLE OUR SEED CORN.

Thoroughbred Seed Corn. We are proud to say that the Iowa Seed Store is now recognized as headquarters for thoroughbred seed corn and on account of the superiority the varieties which we have originated or introduced are now listed by the most prominent seedsmen in America, Europe and Australia, who handle this grain and are the best everywhere. The value of the average corn crop can be fully doubled by planting our improved varieties. Don't be satisfied with a second grade, even if you can save five or ten cents per acre in cost of seed (one bushel plants eight acres) but send your order to headquarters of the Iowa Seed Company for thoroughbred seed corn and get the best.

WE ARE BREEDERS of seed corn, growing it here in central Iowa, the best section for corn in the great corn belt of the United States. We have a seed corn specialist who selects the stock seed for our crops. Each ear is critically examined in all its points with the greatest of care and only such ears as are strong and vigorous in vitality and true to the ideal of each variety are used, such ears as are indicatad [indicated] by the illustrations from photographs in this catalogue, they being uniform in shape and color, with straight rows, the tips being well filled with large grains, which denote vigor and strength, the kernels being uniform in color, depth, width, shape and such other characteristics as are most desirable and indicate well bred corn. We have the best and most careful growers. Our rule is to have each variety grown at least ninety rods from any other variety in order to prevent its becoming mixed. The greatest care is used in preparing and having the soil in the best of condition and in the cultivation of the crop. After the crop is well matured and dried it is gathered into well ventilated corn barns, remaining there till shelling time and then shipped from the various farms to our warehouse where it is sorted and prepared for seed. Each ear is taken in hand by special men who do our sorting, and is critically examined. Those ears suitable for seed and true to the type of the variety being sorted, are tipped, butted, and reserved for seed purposes. The corn is then shelled and run through two cleaning mills which not only wind it thoroughly but also screen it both ways taking out any small, inferior, or large kernels which might be in it, thus leaving it very uniform in size, we now test it, taking one hundred kernels just as it runs in the bulk, which is the only way to get a true average test. The utmost care is used through the whole process of handling and preparing it for seed. Corn thus prepared cannot be sold at a price the ordinary seed corn is sold for.

[image] GOLDEN WEST IOWA SILVER MINE FARMERS RELIANCE IOWA GOLD MINE

THE BIG 4 THAT MAKE IOWA THE LEADING CORN STATE

FOUR ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS Earliness.--These varieties have matured safely every season. Size of Ear.--Large, and still cob is of small diameter. Depth of Grain.--Unsurpassed, and of uniform good quality. Productiveness.--Unequalled. 100 to 215 bushels per acre in various parts of the country.

IOWA GOLD MINE The deepest-grained yellow corn in the world.

BE SURE to read descriptions of these varieties in catalogue, and try them this year.

26. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

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

Golden West. 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. The standard for it 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 and 90 per cent of corn to cob. Per pk. 75c; bush. $2.50; 2 bush. or more @ $2.25; 10 bush. $20.00.

Iowa Silver Mine. Has the reputation of being the most productive of any variety of corn in existence regardless of color, and has also captured sweepstakes in many competitions as the best shaped ear regardless of color. The standard is length 9½ inches, circumference 7½ inches, shape cylindrical, medium firm on cob, color pure white, grain rough, medium wedge shape, long, 16 to 20 rows, narrow space between kernels, butts rounded, tips capped, cob small and white, 90 per cent of corn to cob. Shank of medium size. Per pk. 50c, bush. $1.50, 2 bush. or more @ $1.35, 10 bush. for $12.50.

Iowa Gold Mine. The first deep-grained, pure golden yellow variety introduced and is still the most popular, being listed by the most prominent seedsmen in America as well as in parts of Europe, Australia and South Africa where corn is grown. First introduced by us in 1892. Standard length of ear 8½ inches, circumference 7½ inches, grain medium firm on the cob, rich golden yellow color, rough, narrow wedge shape and very long, 16 to 20 rows, with medium space between, butts rounded, tips capped, cob is small, deep red in color, 91 per cent of corn to cob. Per pk. 50c, bush. $1.50, 2 bush. or more @ $1.35, 10 bush. for $12.50.

Farmers' Reliance. Claimed to be the earliest variety of deep grained dent corn in existence and also the largest eared early variety with the single exception of Longfellow Dent. It makes a large profitable crop. Standard length, 8½ inches, circumference, 6¾ inches, shape of ear slightly tapering. Grain firm on cob, a deep yellow color, nearly smooth, medium wedge shape, and medium length, 16 to 18 rows with narrow space between, butts rounded, tips capped over. Small red cob, with eighty-eight per cent of corn to cob. Per pk. 50c, bush. $1.60, 2 bush. or more @ $1.50, 10 bush. $13.50.

WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY. "I think Iowa Gold Mine Corn the best of all, and am satisfied with it."--B. W. Fisher, Pike county, Mo. "The seventy acres of corn we planted with seed from your firm is the best field corn in this county. It runs from two to three ears on each stalk."--D. M. McKindley, Kane county, Illinois. "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. Last year I purchased some of you Farmers' Reliance Corn and was very much pleased with the splendid crop, as it yielded 400 bushels from three acres of ground. Your corn is all that you recommend it to be.--H. Brown, Ashtabula county, Ohio. "I bought half a bushel Silver Mine Corn of you in 1902 and it yielded 100 bushels to the acre, and last spring I saved enough seed out of it to plant 115 acres of it. I think it the best corn for this part of the state."--E. Jansen, Cass county, Iowa. "Inclosed [Enclosed] please find my seed order for this spring. Last spring I purchased some Iowa Gold Mine Corn of you, which did exceedingly well here. I took three premiums on it at three different county fairs."--Dr. A. N. Wilbur, Adams county, Ohio. "On this estate, comprising about 22,000 acres, there was grown this year nearly 10,000 acres of corn, including almost all known standard sorts, suited to this latitute [latitude], and we consider that of the white varieties the IOWA SILVER MINE is the purest and in all respects the most satisfactory of all."--W. A. Bichet, Mg'r. I planted the Golden West Corn purchased of you May 11th, and it was out of danger from frost September 8th. I am very well pleased with it and think it will come up to all you claim for it. Although we have had a very wet season to raise corn, still the seed purchased of you was far ahead of that purchased of one of your competitors.--C. A. Bonar, Adams county, Iowa.

$125.00 CASH PRIZES. In order to encourage farmers to study the varieties and strive not only to grow good corn but to be able to select the best ears and tell the reasons why they are the best, we have decided to offer five cash prizes: $25.00 for the best 10 ears of Golden West. $25 00 for the best 10 ears of Iowa Silver Mine. $25.00 for the best 10 ears of Iowa Gold Mine. $25.00 for the best 10 ears of Farmers' Reliance. $25.00 Sweepstakes for best 10 ears of any of above varieties.

TERMS OF COMPETITION. Any of our customers can compete for above prizes provided the corn was grown from seed purchased from us this year. Corn shall be judged by a competent corn judge according to standard of each variety as stated in above descriptions and also published in our Corn Manual, (price 10 cents) a copy of which will be sent free to persons purchasing one bushel or more of seed corn from us. Corn must be delivered to us charges prepaid on or before November 20, 1905. The $25.00 Sweepstakes Prize is to be awarded to the best ten ears of above four sorts, judged by comparison as a general purpose variety. It will thus be seen that one of the prizewinners may be entitled to $50.00 in cash in addition to the honor of winning a prize in this grand competition with the best corn growers in America. IOWA SEED COMPANY, Des Moines, Iowa.

PERFECT EARS OF CORN Our cut illustrates an ideal shape for ears of corn. Notice depth of grain and how well it is filled out over both the tip and butt ends. Grain is wedge shape and still without space between kernels at germ end.

TWO WAYS. EVERY corn grower who strives to increase his corn crop has two ways to do it. He can increase the yield per acre, or he can put in more acres. The farmer who wants more corn will do well to study the first method before he decides on the latter. Good seed is the first essential to a bigger yield of better corn, therefore plant the Iowa Seed Company's improved varieties and add 20 to 50 per cent to your crop.

[image] IDEAL EARS OF CORN.

A Practical Corn Manual This small book was prepared in order to assist farmers to form a more correct idea of the most desirable ears of corn for general purposes in whatever latitude they may be located. It is, in fact, a Corn Judging Manual worth dollars to any farmer, but we ask only 10 cts. per copy for it. Sent free on request to any one ordering one bushel or more of seed corn from us.

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA. 27.

GOLDEN WEST. THE past ten years have brought out many new varieties of corn which we have tested on our farm but none were perfect in every respect. The one which nearest approached perfection was the Golden West, which is a new variety originated in eastern Iowa by one of the most practical seed corn specialists in the United States. We have watched it during the three very trying years just past, and are now satisfied that it is the Best Yellow Corn Ever Offered. For years past we have been searching for a variety of corn which had the characteristics of the Iowa Gold Mine as to depth of grain and color, but which produced a larger ear and would yield a better crop. We have also been at work trying to produce such a variety on our own place, but it is difficult to breed it up in such a way that it will hold these valuable characteristics. The New Golden West comes the nearest to our ideal and is far superior to any yellow corn now on the market. The stalk and manner of earing greatly resemble the Iowa Silver Mine, the ears averaging fully as large or larger and the grain is more solid on the cob. Description:--Golden West is one of the most vigorous growing varieties that we know of. Stalk is of medium height, not as tall as Legal Tender, but very much thicker at the ground, short jointed with broad leaves which help to mature the large crop of corn it produces. It is the deepest rooted corn that we know of and therefore not easily injured by hard wind storms nor are the roots so near the surface as to be broken off and the vitality of the plant sapped and weakened in cultivating the crop. The ears have usually eighteen to twenty rows. There are many ears which measure eleven inches in length and weigh one and one-half pounds, containing from twelve to fifteen hundred grains to the ear. The kernels are of such shape that they wedge in tightly and make a solid ear not only at the cap but down near the point or germ end (see cut of ear section.) This is a characteristic which is overlooked by many corn breeders, thus causing ears of ordinary varieties, which appear solid, to be of light weight. The ear is solid, nearly uniform in size throughout its entire length, but gradually tapering off to a blunt oval tip, cob comparatively small and of such nature that it dries out rapidly, thus insuring [ensuring] a well matured crop, even during unfavorable seasons. It matures in about one hundred days, thus making it a safe corn to plant, and we claim that it will yield a larger crop than any other yellow corn in existence. The breeder of this corn has been working on essential principles for many years, and instead of simply crossing two good varieties, he has made his cross from several varieties and selected so as to combine the best characteristics of each with an ideal in his mind towards which he was working. Instead of having simply surface roots like other northern varieties, he has bred to obtain a deep rooted sort which would obtain its nutriment from the subsoil as well as having plenty of surface roots. In this way he has secured a better leaf structure for the plant which enables it to stand long seasons of drouth, hot weather and strong winds. By working with his first cross to obtain plants with unusual heavy leafage and roots, he has been enabled to build this new variety on a foundation of perfect health and vigor. It is sure to become the leading corn for this latitude and will rapidly win the confidence of all corn growers.

[image] GOLDEN WEST Exact size of standard ear

Vast Treasures Of Iowa soil, rain and sunshine are being annually wasted by trifling with varieties of corn not capable of utilizing them. Don't plant the old worn out sorts any longer, begin right, this year, by buying Golden West. It is a new variety of wonderful leafage and vigor of growth and is sure to become the leading corn for this latitude and rapidly win the confidence of all corn growers. Thousands of farmers made money by buying our Iowa Gold Mine and Iowa Silver Mine corn when they were first introduced and selling the seed to their neighbors the following season. It will pay you to follow this plan and send in your order early as the supply is limited. Remember that a bushel plants seven or eight acres; therefore it will cost you only about 35 cents per acre for the seed. PRICE--Pkt. 5 cts.; pound 25 cts.; three pounds 65 cts.; seven pounds (will plant one acre) $1.25, charges prepaid to any part of the United States; by freight, per ½ peck 45 cents; peck 75 cents; bushel $2.50, 2 bu. or more @ $2.25, 10 bu. for $20.00. Your Golden West is by far the best corn ever grown in this locality, and fully equal in yield to the Iowa Silver Mine. Part of my land was flooded this year and badly washed by the river, but owing to the Golden West being so deeply rooted it stood up very much better than either of the other varieties which I grew or any other sorts in this locality. It yielded a grand crop of good, sound corn in spite of unfavorable season.--G. W. Pfeifer. I have just finished gathering my Golden West, and one field grown on sloping land yielded 103 bushels per acre and another field which was on low level ground and damaged considerably by overflow yielded over 80 bushels per acre.--Wm. Day, Dallas Co., Iowa. In reference to the Golden West Seed Corn which I purchased of you this season will say this season has been very unfavorable but I can recommend the corn as in every way better than any I ever raised. Am sorry I planted my corn so thick. As usual I made allowance for some not to grow, but I was mistaken. I believe every kernel grew. The quality is unsurpassed.--Daniel Marlan, Carroll County, Iowa. We planted ½ bushel of Golden West and it has done fine and is now (Sept. 15th) out of danger from frost, sound and bright and we are pleased with it. Also planted a bushel of the Gold Mine Seed Corn and it has also done well and is sound. Both varieties are excellent. The garden seeds we purchased of you gave entire satisfaction.--A. Van Sperren, Jasper County, Iowa. I planted the Golden West Corn purchased of you, May 11th, and it was out of danger from frost September 8th. I am very well pleased with it and think it will come up to all you claim for it. Although we have had a very wet season to raise corn, still the seed purchased of you was far ahead of that purchased of one of your competitors.--C. A. Bonar, Adams county, Iowa.

MONEY IN GRASS.--If you raise cattle, horses, hogs, or sheep, there is money in providing proper pasture for them. Instead of sowing simply Clover and Timothy this year better try grasses which are of special value for special soils. Notice our Pasture Mixtures on Page 41.

28. SEED CATALOGUE AND GARDEN GUIDE.

PRIZE WINNER EVERYWHERE

IOWA SILVER MINE.

215 BUSHELS PER ACRE.

The most marvelous variety of corn ever offered, and one which will surprise everyone who plants it. Thousands ol farmers have tried it and doubled their crops and also made money rapidly by selling seed to their less enterprising neighbors. It is revolutionizing the corn growing industry of the country. Just think of this wonderful yield--215 bushels per acre with ordinary culture. We don't blame some practical farmers for looking incredulous when this is mentioned; we did not believe it ourselves until we had measured the ground and proved conclusively that the report was correct. The seed corn trade is our great specialty, and we claim to be seed corn experts, and in the spring of 1895, when we first saw this corn, we purchased the entire stock for $1,000.00 cash. The originator is not now growing seed corn and you must buy from us if you want pure, true to name seed. Just think of it! The average corn crop of the United States is only 28 bushels per acre, and there was more than seven times this amount of Iowa Silver Mine grown on one acre. Would you like to grow this kind of a crop? Plant Iowa Silver Mine Corn--plant your whole farm to it. DESCRIPTION--Stalk grows to a height of about seven or eight feet, and sets the ears about three and one-half to four feet from the ground, just the right height for easy picking. One peculiarity which will be noticed in going over the fields is that there are no barren stalks; every one has an ear, many stalks have two or three good ears, and the originator says that has been characteristic every year that he has grown it. The type is very even. Ears measuring from Ten to Twelve Inches in length, and weighing one and one-half pounds are often found. The ears are very uniform in size and shape, with sixteen to twenty straight rows (usually eighteen rows) of deep, pure white kernels, set on a small white cob, and the ears are well filled out over the tip. It is early, maturing in ninety-five days. The cob dries out rapidly, so that it is ready for market earlier than any other white field corn in existence. Seventy pounds in the ear will make sixty-two pounds shelled. It is adapted to a wider range of soil and climate than any corn ever offered. From Minnesota to Florida, from Massachusetts to California, it will yield a paying crop where other varieties are grown at a loss. It is in every way a distinct type of corn and is hardy and a wonderful resister of drouth. ITS PRIZE RECORD.--Everywhere the Iowa Silver Mine captures the prizes over all other varieties. At one fair ten of the largest ears took first prize, ten of the smaller ears took second prize. Afterwards the same ten large ears took sweepstakes over all other varieties, both white and yellow, making a total of $95.00 in prizes taken at one fair by twenty ears of the Iowa Silver Mine Corn. It captured the big prize offered by us in 1896, for the largest crop, against all other kinds of any color, yielding 215 bushels. At the Illinois State Fair it took first premium for the best bushel of corn, any color or sort; first for best white corn in the state, and grand sweepstakes for the best corn of any color, competition open to the world. In 1899 the Illinois State Agricultural Society offered three large prizes for the largest corn crop grown on one acre, and the Iowa Sliver Mine captured all three of them with crops of 196, 176 AND 154 BUSHELS PER ACRE. No other corn of any color can compare with it in wonderful productiveness. Read the Astonishing Record of our own prize contest. It produced 215 bushels per acre in Scott county, Iowa; 211 bushels per acre in Indiana; 201 bushels per acre in Arkansas; 178 bushels per acre in Illinois; 145 bushels per acre in Nebraska; 144 bushels per acre in Ohio; 137 bushels per acre in Texas. NOW FOR 1905.--To every one who orders Iowa Silver Mine Seed Corn from us we will send free full information as to how 215 bushels of corn were grown on one acre. Be progressive; adopt new methods and use good seed. Figure out what your profit would be if your crop were that large. It will pay you to plant your entire field with this variety. Get your neighbors to order with you. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL INTRODUCERS. And if you want pure Iowa Silver Mine Corn it must be purchased from us. We have proof that other dealers are copying our descriptions and selling common white corn as Iowa Silver Mine. The cost of pure seed is almost nothing (only about 25 cents per acre). One bushel per acre added to your crop will pay for it, and you can't afford to use doubtful seed. PRICE: Postpaid or by Express Prepaid: Per pkt. 5c, lb. 25c, 3 lbs. 60c, 7 lbs. (will plant an acre) $1.00. Specimen ears 25c each postpaid. By Freight or Express, purchaser paying charges: Per pk. 50c, bush. $1.50; 2 bush. or more at $1.35; 10 bush. for $12.50. READ WHAT THE PEOPLE SAY. "I have been growing your Iowa Silver Mine Corn for three years and it yielded fully ten bushels an acre more than any corn here this year, in spite of the unfavorable weather."--E. W. Parnell, Story county, Iowa. "The seeds purchased from you produced the finest yields ever seen in our county. The Iowa Silver Mine Corn yielded 188 bushels to the acre."--W. A. Johnson, Miss. Co., Ark. "I don't think a better quality of corn can be found than the Iowa Silver Mine, and it yielded 114 bushels per acre for me this year."--S. S. Troxel, Benton county, Iowa. "Your Silver Mine Corn grew splendidly and ripened sufficiently to make seed corn 100 miles north of St. Paul."--Francis Maddox, Crow Wing county, Minn. "Last spring I planted one peck of your Iowa Silver Mine corn, and gathered 100 bushels of the finest corn I ever saw."--J. Clay Fox, Rock county, Nebraska. "Your Iowa Silver Mine Corn is the earliest white corn I have ever seen. Ears of good size and in many instances producing two good ears to the stalk. It is seldom that one sees anything bred up to such perfection as this new corn."--W. O. Ruddick, Lee county, Iowa. "I am especially pleased with the Iowa Silver Mine Corn and it is worth five times as much as the Mastodon which I have been growing."--Jacob B. Siemens, Reno county, Kansas.

[image] Iowa Silver Mine. 215 Bus. per Acre!