SEED AM) PLANT DISTRIBUTION. 43 



greenhouse sorts grown for several seasons ou1 <>t' doors in the vicinity 

 of New York. 



It is claimed by the introducers to be the earliesf tomato grown and 

 to be five days earlier than the Atlantic Prize, which is the most gen- 

 erally grown extra early sort. This variety is undoubtedly a splendid 

 introduction and extremely early, bul of small size. Compared to 

 Atlantic Prize, it i- considerably smaller in size but much superior to it 

 in being smoother, less corrugated and scarred, and more of a globe 

 shape. It is similar to Conference and to Brighl and Early, but consid- 

 erably earlier than cither, and much larger than the latter. The plant- 

 have th.' tine leaf and hahit of growth of the extra early varieties 

 The fruits are brighl scarlet, Hat globe shape, and perfectly smooth. 

 Specially recommended for forcing, but a splendid outdoor sorl also. 



- .1 furnished by .7. M. Thorburn a: Co., New York. 



LETTUCE. 

 Half < kntiky. 



A very old variety of foreign origin, seldom catalogued by American 

 seedsmen. John Lewis Childs, of Floral Park. N. V.. it seems, was 

 the first American seedsman to catalogue it. or at least the first to 

 claim for it any special superiority. 



The plant is very dark green in color, of a peculiarly loose, flabby, 

 half-heading hahit. It is difficult to make it head well under any con- 

 dition-, and on account of its behavior in this respect, as well as its 

 weak growth and decidedly inferior appearance, it will never he a gen- 

 eral favorite. Its value lies solely in it> extra fine quality, for it is. 

 exceedingly brittle and tender and of unsurpassed sweetness. The 

 quality is of that delicacy which is five from the buttery quality of 

 some kinds, and the hard crispness, the coarseness, and the strong, 

 slierhtlv bitter quality of some other kinds. The leaves, which are 

 exceedingly brittle hut thick, are easily hroken. The variety will not 

 stand the least transportation, and is suitable for the home garden only. 



Seed furnished by Vaughan's Seed store. Chicago, 111. 



MUSKMELON. 



ROCKY FOBD. 



This variety is a strain of the old and well-known Netted Gem, and 

 has been recently developed and grown in immense quantities at Rocky 

 Ford, Colo., whence it has been shipped extensively to all tin; eastern 

 and northern markets. The variety has been made extremely popular 

 by the Rocky Ford growers as much on account of the careful ship- 

 ping they have practiced as for the fine melons they have been able to 



