PETER HENDERSON & CO.-INTRODUCTORY. 



Money Prizes for Specimen Vegetables. 



Following the practice which we have adopted now for severa. years, we give below the result of the competition 

 for money prizes offered by us last year for the best specimens of vegetables. For some reason the competition was 

 not so large or so general as in previous years, although a very large number of customers at the beginning 

 announced their intention of competing. 



The best formed and heaviest head of Jersey Wakefield Cabbage sent in to us in 1884 was raised by a lady, 

 Mrs. Cornelius, of Milford, Pa., whose specimen weighed l6J^ lbs. The next best specimen was raised by Henry 

 Ruehl, of Ossian, Iowa, and weighed 12 lbs. In the competition for Henderson's Early Summer Cabbage the best 

 head that reached us, and which received the first premium, weighed 18 lbs., and was grown by H. Newell, of Fort 

 Wayne, Ind. We received a specimen head, however, from Cummings & Stephenson, of Parnassus, Pa., which 

 weighed 25 lbs., but this could not be entered for competition because the seed was not purchased directly from us, 

 whifeh is always a condition in the competition for these money prizes. The first prize for Henderson's Early Snow- 

 ball Cauliflower was awarded to J. Leavy, of Greeley, Col. The specimen he sent in was a magnificent one, reach- 

 ing us after its long journey in perfect order, and weighed il*^ lbs. Mr. Leavy, we are obliged to say, also won 

 the second prize offered for this variety, his next specimen weighing 10 lbs., 2 ounces. For the third prize for 

 Henderson's Early Snowball Cauliflower Mr. John Hall, gardener to H. C. Valentine, Esq., Pittsfield, Mass., 

 was the successful competitor. Mr. Hall's specimen weighed 8 lbs., 6 ounces. For the best three bunches of 

 Henderson's White Plume Celery, the successful exhibitor was Nicholas Ryder, of Woodhaven, L. I., the com- 

 bined weight of whose three bunches was 173^ lbs. This exhibit of White Plume Celery was very fine and 

 attracted a great deal of attention. The great sensation, however, was caused by a specimen of Mammoth Chili 

 Squash that was sent in, that was not only a perfect type, both in regard to shape and color, but Which 

 weighed 223 lbs. This was probably the finest specimen of this variety ever exhibited in America. A 

 sketch of it as it appeared in front of our store will be found further on in the catalogue. This leviathan was 

 raised by C. L. Riker, of Esopus, N. Y. The prize offered for Onions was carried off by Geo. W. Hopper, of 

 Peru, Ind., whose 24 specimens of 4 varieties weighed 19 lbs. 



In coming to our decision as to what constitutes the best specimen we are guided by closeness to true type, 

 size, earliness, smoothness, weight and solidity, in about the order named. In offering 



we beg to reiterate conditions of competition, which are that all fruits and vegetables for competition must be 

 grown from seed purchased directly from us, the specimens to be correctly labeled, with raiser's name and ad- 

 dress, and delivered, all transportation charges prepaid, at our stores, 35 & 37 Cortlandt Street, New York, on. 

 or before November 10th, 1885. It will of course be understood that specimens are to be sent in throughout 

 the season, as the various vegetables mature, and we only specify November 10th as putting a limit beyond 

 which we cannot receive entries. Those intending to compete, whether they order seed by mail or in person- 

 at our stores, will please to state at the time of ordering, so as to place beyond question the fact that they 

 bought the seed for this competition. It is understood that all specimens sent in become our property. 



For the best head of Henderson's Selected Jersey Wakefield Cabbage. 1st prize $io.oc 



" " " " " " " 2d " 5.00 



" " " Early Summer Cabbage. 1st prize 10. oc 



" " " " " " 2d " 5.0a 



Selected Late Flat Dutch Cabbage 10.00 



" " " Netted Savoy Cabbage 5.0c 



" " " Early Snowball Cauliflower. 1st prize 10.0c 



" " " " " 2d " 5.00 



" 3 bunches (of 4 roots each) of Henderson's White Plume Celery. 1st prize 10.00 



" " " " " " " " " 2d " 5.0c 



" New York Improved Egg Plant 5.00 



" and heaviest Scaly Bark Water Melon. 1st prize 10.00 



" and heaviest " Pride of Georgia " Water Melon 10.00 



" Onions, six specimens each of four sorts, viz.: Yellow Danvers, Southport Yellow Globe, White 



Globe and Red Globe 10.00 



" Potatoes: Early Electric, Vanguard, Early Sunrise, Jumbo, Mayflower, and Clark's No. I, 20 



tubers of each of the six sorts 10. oc 



" and heaviest Mammoth Chili Squash 10. oc 



Squash: Hubbard, Essex Hybrid, Boston Marrow and Marblehead, one specimen of each 10.00 



" T<matoes: Cardinal, Favorite, Acme, Mayflower and Perfection, six specimens of each of the 



5 sorts 10. oc 



" Mangel Wurzel: Henderson's Colossal Long Red, 5 specimens 10.00 



" " " Golden Tankard, 5 specimens 10.00 



" Turnips: Purple Top White Globe, 5 specimens 5.0c 



" " Improved American Ruta Baga, 5 specimens 5.0 



As soon as all entries are in and decided upon, our check for the prizes due successful exhibitors will be 

 promptly forwarded. 



