103

IOWA SEED COMPANY, DES MOINES, IOWA.

101

Column 1

Abundance Collection of Fruit Trees

Six Well Grown Varieties Illustrated on Cover of this Catalogue For $1.35.

In this catalogue we are giving a very important place to fruit trees, as we realize more and
more every year their importance, and there is not a home in America except a few in the crowded
districts of the cities where there is not room for a few trees. Instead of planting shade
trees, set out fruit trees and you will secure both shade and fruit, and how nice it is to have it
fresh from your own yard. The following varieties are all hardy in Iowa and other states of the
same latitude, and are the best of their class. They are not untried novelties, but are all standard,
thoroughly tested sorts of unquestioned value, hardiness and productiveness. The trees
offered in this collection are large, well grown trees and not small one year old "whips" such as
are frequently offered at "bargain prices" by mail.

WEALTHY APPLE. - This is undoubtedly the most popular apple in the northwest if not in
the United States. It originated in central Minnesota in 1861 and is now extensively planted in all of the apple
growIng states. Fruit is of large size; round, of rich dark crimson color with a whitish yellow underground
and sometimes entirely covered with red; flesh is white, tender, juicy, vinous and sub-acid. Pomologists
have declared that in quality it is unsurpassed by any apple in cultivation, as it has a delicious and characteristic
fIavor, making a standard from which the quality of other apples may be judged. It is an ideal tree in
vigor, rapidity of growth and shape as well as noted for its strong root system. Each 25c. Per doz. $2.50.

TRANSPARENT APPLE. - This is a summer variety and fruit is at its best during July and August. It is
an extra hardy sort from Russia, an unusually strong grower and begins bearing when quite young. Fruit
of good size, although not as large as the Wealthy; skin is clear white at first, turning to a beautiful pale yellow,
when fully ripe; flesh white, of fine quality, tender, juicy and sprightly sub-acid. This is in many localities the earliest variety to ripen, being
about ten days ahead of the Early Harvest. We consider it the very best of our early or summer apples. Each 25c. Per doz. $2.50.

BARTLETT PEAR. - Probably most of the farmers in Iowa think that
pears and peaches are not hardy in this state, but they are, when properly
grown, and there are now quite a number of fruit growers who are marketing
large quantities of them each season and they are proving to be a
most profitable crop. It requires special preparation of the soil, and by
following the directions given in circular which we send out with our
"Abundance Fruit Collection" this year, you can readily succeed. The
Bartlett Pear is undoubtedly the most popular and desirable variety as
well as of the best quality. They frequently begin bearing when only
five feet high. The trees are of vigorous rapid growth and produce a
large crop. Fruit of symmetrical somewhat pyramidal shape; large size;
surface yellow with a faint blush, flesh nearly white. It is fine grained,
melting, sweet and of a rich musky flavor. Each 50c. Per doz. $4.00.

COLLECTION - The above six trees worth $2.30 FOR ONLY $1.35
including cost of packing and delivered on cars
here, purchaser to pay the freight or express charges. REMEMBER that
these are first class trees. This collection cannot be changed or divided.

Column 2

[Image]
TRANSPARENT APPLE. A pale apple with stalk and leaves attached.

ABUNDANCE PLUM. - This is the hardiest and the best of the Japanese
plums. Fruit is of large size, showy amber color turning to a rich bright
cherry red. Flesh light yellow, exceedingly juicy, tender and deliciously
sweet. The tree makes a strong upright growth with a tendency to over
bear and it frequently needs thinning. Each 50c. Per doz. $4.00

CHAMPION PEACH.- This variety which originated in Illinois is considered
the best variety for this latitude. It is a handsome sort well
shown by our illustration. Color is creamy white with red cheek; flesh
white of delicious sweet flavor and quite juicy; freestone. The tree is
very hardy and has a record of bearing a heavy crop every year, even
in 1890 when there was almost a total failure of peaches on account of the
cold. Fruit is large, frequently measuring ten inches in circumference.
Each 30c, Per doz. $2.50

EARLY RICHMOND CHERRY.- Most popular of all varieties as well
as the most hardy and productive, yielding marvelous crops. The trees
bear more regularly each year than any other variety and the fruit does
not rot on the trees. Can be left longer without picking than most sorts;
ripens early; of medium size, handsome color, very juicy and acid. Each
50c, Per doz. $2.50.

Column 3

Majestic Collection.

The most desirable collection of vegetable seeds which
has been offered for years and one which all our customers
should try. The five varieties of vegetables, illustrated
in colors on back cover, one packet of each for 30cts.

MAJESTIC TOMATO.
The largest, handsomest and finest quality tomato ever sent out
and one which everyone is pleased with. When we first secured
this grand new sort we knew that it was of exceptional merit and
superior in size and flavor to anything on the market, but were
astonished at the reports received from our customers. Thousands
of letters arrived in the fall speaking of it in the highest terms
of praise. It is undoubtedly the largest fruited of any variety ever
sent out, and the fruit is so solid that it weighs more than its size
would indicate. Unlike many so-called large varieties which produce
a few larger fruits and a great multitude of small ones, this variety
is almost uniformly large. The first fruit matured is somewhat
rough, but later on they are smooth and of handsome shape; of a
rosy red color, ripening evenly all over, way up to the stem. When
cut it is a rich coral red color, its core blending into delicate shell
rose tints. Fruit is unusually solid, having very small seed cells
which are few in number and near the surface. The flesh is
tender, fine grained and rich, yet of mild, delicate flavor, being of
the sub-acid class. The skin is thin yet tough, and not liable to
crack on the vines or in handling, making it a good shipping variety.
Plant is of vigorous growth from start to finish, producing fruit nearly as
early as the small extra early sorts. It does well on any ordinary soil and
the fruit is of such uniformly large size, fine color, and striking appearance
as well as choice quality, that it is sure to be a "money maker" for the
market gardener. Our cut is from a photograph of a plant grown by W.
R. Long, of Williamsburg, Ia., which produced 99 fruits. It has yielded
at the rate of over 1100 bushels per acre under ordinary conditions. We
received many reports from customers in all parts of the country who had
grown tomatoes weighing from 3-5 pounds each. The [illegible]
ever, weighed 5 3/4 pounds, and the largest yield of [illegible]
was 147 pounds. This variety produces so few [illegible]
doubtless always be high in price. The first [illegible]
of 100 seeds. We have reduced the price [illegible]
$100.00 IN PRIZES. Each person [illegible]
Majestic [illegible]
for the $100.00 in cash prizes which [illegible]
See full statement regarding prize [illegible]
GOLDEN [illegible]
This new strain of [illegible]
ties of the season. It is a [illegible]
a wonderfully robust grower
stringless pods, which are of [illegible]
As the pods approach full [illegible]
usually bright crimson or [illegible]
them a strikingly [beautiful]
great clusters so that [illegible]
stringless and of the [illegible]
Everywhere that they
Don't fail [illegible]

Column 4

[Image]
Plant of Majestic Tomato grown by W.R. Long, of Williamsburg, Iowa.

PHARAOH'S DREAM SWEET CORN.
On our place this has proved to be the [illegible] productive variety
of sweet corn that we have seen [illegible] introduced
and has everywhere [illegible] large
size, just [illegible]
and