STOKES SEEDS 



MARY WASHINGTON 



The most profitable asparagus, — very large, productive and rust-resistant 



This firm has shared a large pari of the Mary Washington Asparagus business. Nine years ago we offered the original Washington 

 stock, the first of the Department of Agriculture rust-resistant varieties. When the superiority of the Mary strain, named" in honor of 

 George Washington's mother, was established we were among the first to offer it. Since that time we have done an increasing volume 

 of business with large Asparagus growers, and in line with our policy of carr>'ing only the best we have discarded all other varieties including 

 the Washington and Martha strains. We see no object in recommending anything but the best, for there are enough handicaps in the 

 vegetable business. Mary Washington is earlier, larger and longer than either the Washington or the Martha strains and for all com- 

 mercial purposes is equally rust-resislant. In vii w of the prevalence of rust, it is utter folly for a grower to plant additional acreage with 

 the old varieties such as Palmetto. Giant .ArRenleuil, etc., which are susceptible to rust. Wc can now definitely state that green Asparagus 

 IS bringing a higher price on the general markets than while. The fact that Mary Washington produces a very large, light tip and will 

 not prematurely sprangle out is greatly in its favor in the production of green Asparagus. A loose-budded stalk does not keep well and 

 will not retain its flavor. 



No. 1.— MARY WASHINGTON SEEDarescreened) 



Our entire seed supply of Marv Washington now comes from fields one generation removed from the parent stock. This is reselected, 

 rt-screened seed so that it is all graded as to size and assures uniform seedlings. This seed ;s all from the 1928 crop of which the germination 

 IS particularly strong — over 97^^^. Some growers are situated as to soil and climate so that they can produce their own roots. It should 

 be kepi in mind, however, that a poorly grown root has very little value, and unless you are in a position to make a thoroughly good job 

 of it. It is better to buy our giant size roots as offered herewith. Price, delivered: oz., 20c; •■i lb., 75c; lb., $1.30; lb., 12.50; 5 lbs., 

 (a S2.40 per lb.; 10 lbs., $2.25 per lb.; 

 50 lbs., ^ $2.00 per lb. 







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No. 2.— Giant Mary 

 Washington Roots 



This IS the sixth y.ar tluit we have oflf. rcd 

 Mary Wa^hlnglon Asparagus roots. During 

 this pcniKl our firm has dislinguished ils.if by 

 thi- quality and quantity of roots sold. .Among 

 large As|iaragus growers we are considered one 

 of the most reliable sources of supply in this 

 country. Being one of our chief specialties, we 

 have given Asparagus close attention. 



Because of the importance of Mary Wash- 

 ington to our firm, we have made a thorough 

 study of the industry with the ronelusion that 

 it IS a complete loss of time and invislmenl to 

 plant anything but the guint m/j rorils grown 

 from pedigreed seed. Our iilu?lr;ilu)n on the 

 opposite page visualizes this important point. 

 We leave it to you to judge which of the two 

 loots you would prefer to plant in your new b.-d. 

 The stunted, undcrgrown root on the right will, 

 it is true, produce some Asparagus bul what 

 chance has this kind of root compared to the 

 finely developed ciown on the left which is a 

 fair sample of what we are offering. Our roots 

 this year have been grown in Burlington 

 County. New Jersey under ideal conditions of 

 cultivation. The soil has been enriched by 

 several seasons of alfalfa growth which has 

 supplied a complete humus. In addition to 

 this, the field has been highly fertilized and. 

 perhaps what is rrjost important, each individual 

 root has been allowed space enough for iLs full 

 and natural development. Many growers of 

 Asparagus roots try to raise too many to the 

 acre and thus eliminate all chance of producing 

 a full-size root. The production of a giant root 

 costs a great deal more than its weak sister. 

 The nrkre we ask. however, is not out of pro- 

 portion to its increased value. Our roots are 

 sold f.o.b. New jersey shipping point and are 

 sent by Express unless otherwise noted. Price, 

 50 roots, $2.00; 100 roots. $3.00; $12.00 per 

 500; $20.00 per 1.000; 5,000 roots, ^ $lK.e» 

 per M; 25,000 roots @ $16.00 per M. 



This photograph clearly shows the high branching habil 

 of Mary Washington — the factor that makes it 

 such a valuable variety for green cultivation 



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