52 



PETER HENDERSON & CO.-FARM SEEDS. 



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EUDOPEPK - SILVEIV • BULL • BUCKWHE0T. 



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A most desirable acquisition for this country, which has done remarkably well 

 as northern Vermont, where the seed we now offer has been grown expressly for us. 



in anything like 



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the past two seasons as far north 

 It may be depended upon to ripen 

 a favorable season from ten days to 

 two weeks earlier than the native American Silver Hull 

 or Common Buckwheat. Berry small, with rounded 

 corners, and of a beautiful silvery gray color. Grows 

 at the uniform height of three feet, standing up 

 well and branching luxuriantly. Straw, a deep rich 

 wine color when ripe. It is a heavy yielder, and 

 thus far is not so easily affected by drought and frost 

 as other Buckwheat. The illustration is engraved 

 from a photograph of a field of this grain taken on 

 the spot, as it was being harvested for us in Vermont 

 last September. 



Price $0.25 per lb. 



Price 1.50 per peck. 



Price 5.00 per bush. 



If by mail add 16 cts. to lb. price for postage. 



GDRSBRO 



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PANAX SCHINSENG (MANCHOORIAN GINSENG). 



We have received from our seed and plant collector in China a limited quantity of Manchoorian Ginseng seed. 

 The root of this plant, as many are no doubt aware, is the great talisman for all the ills afflicting the "Heathen Chinee," 

 and the roots are sold there at fabulous prices. The tuberous root assumes somewhat the shape of the human form, and our 

 correspondent assures us that it is no unusual thing for single roots coming near in appearance to the "form divine " to sell for 

 $200.00 each, and that the average price in Hong Kong is about $100.00 per picul (a picul is 120 lbs.). Our collector believes 

 that the climate in the United- States, in most sections north of Virginia, would be well adapted for the growth of Ginseng. 

 Further south he thinks it would not do, as, being a hardy plant, it requires a long season for rest. The root has a sweetish 

 bitter taste. When clean it presents a semi-transparent appearance. It is largely used by the Chinese as a tonic in cases of 

 debility, and, in fact, for almost all diseases, provided the patient is sufficiently wealthy to pay for such an expensive 

 medicine. The stems of the Chinese Ginseng are upright, and the plants grow in groups of four or five, and bear a 

 crimson flower. The roots are yellow and glossy in color. The wealthy classes take it as a tea, and have the most elaborate 

 silver and ornamental tea urns for preparing it. Great care is taken in the preservation of the roots, and the merchants 

 who sell it use every precaution to protect it from moisture, as moisture is said to detract from its healing properties. The 

 lower classes, who use the inferior specimens, chew the root. 



Notwithstanding the fact that the Chinese say that the American Ginseng, Panax Quinquefolia, does not possess in 

 the same degree the valuable qnalities of their native article, yet so great is the demand always in China for Ginseng in any 

 form, that of the American variety of Ginseng upwards of six millions of dollars* worth have been sent to China within the 

 last ten years. So that if the genuine Manchoorian Ginseng — of which we offer the seed for the first time, we believe, in this 

 country — shall be found to succeed well here, the trade with China in this root within a very few years may be something 

 enormous. The seeds of Ginseng being very slow to germinate, should be kept soaked in water for two or three 

 days, to soften the outer covering. The seed should then be planted from one-half to one inch below the surface, care being 

 taken to firm the soil above, to keep it from drying up. Full cultural instructions, as well as directions for preparing 

 Ginseng root for market, sent with every order. Price, 15 cts. per pkt. ; 75 cts. peroz.; $2.50 per i£ lb. 



URTICA). 



This plant has long been known as yielding a fine, silky and valuable fibre, which the Orientals make into a delicate 

 fabric known as Chinese Grass Cloth. Formerly the fibre had to be extracted by hand, which was a slow and expensive 

 operation. Owing to the fact that machinery has recently been introduced which separates the fibre from the stalk, and that large 

 mills are now in operation making fabrics of many kinds, the plint has again come largely into notice, especially in Europe. In 

 this country there are several firms engaged in buying up the crude stalks for export, and forming companies for the purpose of 

 making up the fibre here. Should these projects prove a success, there will likely be a large area planted, especially in the 

 Southern States, to which the plant seems peculiarly well adapted. The plants are of the easiest culture, and are usually raised 

 from seed, and after the first year yield from two to four crops annually, depending upon the latitude it is grown in. The number 

 of inquiries we have had for the seed have induced us to offer it. The varieties best suited for the United States are : Bohmeria 

 Nivea (Silvery Ramie), B. Candidissima (White Eamie), and B. Tenacissima (Java Bamie). The latter is a tall growing sort, adapted 

 to southern countries, the West Indies, South America, etc. Price : B. Nivea, 50 cts. per }^ oz.; $1.50 per oz. B. Candidissima, 

 50 cts. per }i oz.; $1.50 per oz. B. Tenacissima, $1.25 per ' 4 ' oz. ; $3.00 per oz. 



"Vanguard Potato planted April 7th; on the 1st of May it appeared above ground. July 16th the vines began to die; dug July 30th. The 

 yield was at the rate of 544 bushels to the acre. Skin of a pinkish tint, flesh nearly white and mealy." 



— Kubal New Yobkeb's report of tests of Potatoes for 1884. 



(BOHMERIA OR 



