150 



J. STECKLER SEED CO., LTD., ALMANAC AND 



side is now raised, pressing the canes in- 

 ward, and caught in the nails, thus hold- 

 ing all the canes closely together in the 

 row. 



All Dewberries should be mulched, to 

 keep the berries from the ground. 



AUSTIN'S IMPROVED. — Fruit very 

 large, subacid, vinous, but of second qual- 

 ity. Enormous bearer. The most produc- 

 tive market variety we have ever grown, 

 and is eight to ten days ahead of any 

 other. Strong and vigorous grower, and 

 stands our hottest summers perfectly. Free 

 from rust. Twenty-five two-year plants 

 produced forty quarts of immense berries. 

 Strong plants, 10c. each, 50c. for 10, $1.50 

 for 50, $2.7S per 100. 



Gooseberries. 



Cultural Directions. — The Gooseberry and 

 currant are two of the hardiest types of 

 bush fruits. Our native forms range far 

 north into British America. Seedlings of 

 these natives are also very hardy, as is 

 shown by some of the choice hybrids with 

 European sorts. All Gooseberries like a 

 cool, moist loam and either partial shade 

 or a good mulch through summer. A good 

 top-dressing every year is also necessary. 



HOUGHTON. — An enormously productive 

 and always reliable old sort; of vigorous 

 yet rather slender, spreading growth, not 

 subject to mildew. Fruits of medium size, 

 smooth, pale red; tender and good. Strong 

 plants, 10c. each, 12 for $1-00, 50 for $3.50, 

 100 for $8.25. 



Raspberries. 



Cultural Directions. — The same as for 

 Blackberries and Dewberries. These thrive 

 best in a deep, moist, well-drained soil; the 

 lighter loams are best for the red, and the 

 heavy loams for the blackcaps. To make a 

 success of Raspberries, the land should be 

 able to withstand drought well. Cotton- 

 seed meal, pure ground bone, or fertilizers 

 containing a good proportion of potash are 

 best, and should be liberally applied dur- 

 ing the winter and early spring. To get 

 the best results and keep the plants in 

 vigorous condition, they must be mulched 

 heavily with straw or leaves. Strong 

 plants, 10c. each; 10 strong plants for 50c; 

 50 strong plants for $1.50; 100 strong 

 plants for $2.75. 



Strawberries. 



Cultural Directions. — The Strawberry can 

 be grown on almost any conceivable kind 

 of land, but gives the largest and finest 

 crops on a naturally moist, but not wet 

 soil. Stable manure, at the rate of say 

 20 large loads, and wood ashes at the rate 

 of a ton to the acre, both scattered broad- 

 cast and thoroughly mixed with the soil, 

 form a perfect manure for the crop. 

 Lacking these, a good fertilizer, whose 

 analysis (as printed on the bag) shows 3 

 to 4 per cent, ammonia. 6 to 8 per cent, 

 phosphoric acid and 8 to 10 per cent, 

 potash, will do nearly as well. Any quan- 

 tity up to a ton or more an acre can be 

 used, if broadcasted and thoroughly mixed 

 in. If only a limited quantity can be 

 used — say 400 to 600 pounds to the acre — 

 it should be sown in the drill and thor- 

 oughly mixed with the soil before plant- 

 ing. Too much stable manure or ammonia 

 in any form makes plant growth at the 

 expense of fruit. For field culture set in 

 rows % to 3 feet apart (as it is neces- 



sary to economize land or not), with the 

 plants 15 to 18 inches apart in row. For 

 garden cluture, where space is limited, set 

 in rows 15 inches apart each way. But be- 

 tween each series of three rows there must 

 be a two-foot alley or walkway. Set the 

 plants just deep enough to cover the roots 

 well, and no deeper. Spread out the roots 

 well. 



MICHEL'S EABLT STSAWBEEEY.- 

 We have various sorts of soil in Louisi- 

 ana, and the strawberry suitable to and 

 succeeding equally well in poor or rich land 

 can only be determined by practical experi- 

 ment. A strawberry having all the good 

 qualities has not, and perhaps never will 

 be discovered; still in choosing it is well 

 to purchase plants having as many good 

 points as possible. This we claim for 

 Michel's Early. It is claimed to be the 

 earliest in cultivation. It makes perfect 

 flowers and fruit. Very prolific. Price, 

 50c. per 100, $4.00 per 1000. 



ZLONDYKE STEAWBEBRT.-We have 

 a fine stock of this valuable new variety 

 grown from plants derived direct from the 

 originator. We know them to be the ab- 

 solutely true and pure Klondyke. SOc. per 

 100, $5.00 per 1000. 



OCEAN CITY PROLIFIC STRAW- 

 SEREY, — A splendid berry which originat- 

 ed in Worcester County, Md. Plant is 

 vigorous, with large broad green leaf; 

 fruit as large as the Rubach, and larger 

 than the Michel's Early, but later in bear- 

 ing. Good for second crop; very prolific 

 and a very fine shipping berry. Price, 75c. 

 per 100, $6.00 per 1000. 



PURE IMPROVED HOFFMAN STRAW- 

 BERRY. — If an experienced grower or 

 commission merchant was asked what 

 variety of strawberries, owing to its size, 

 brilliant coloring and perfect shipping 

 qualities, brought uniformly the highest 

 price on the market, there could be but 

 one answer — Hoffman. It stands drought 

 well, the berry seeming to be composed 

 more largely of solid matter than other 

 varieties. Hence its unsurpassed firmness 

 and high value as a shipping berry. It 

 has a special value to growers who have to 

 ship a long distance to market without 

 refrigeration. Its great firmness enables 

 it to carry fresh and bright a very long 

 distance without ice. Price, 60c. per 100, 

 $5.00 per 1000. 



LADY THOMPSON STRAWBERRY.— 

 The marvelous vigor and immense pro- 

 ductiveness of this berry, its ability to 

 adapt itself to all soils and all climates; 

 its apparent indifference to heat, drought 

 or flood, has rendered strawberry growing 

 profitable over the vast regions where most 

 other varieties could not be grown with 

 profit, if at all. It is an exceedingly easy 

 plant to live and is quick to grow off, rain 

 or no rain. Hence its great value, es- 

 pecially for fall planting. Price, 60c. per 

 100. $5.00 per 1000. 



EXCELSIOR STRAWBERRY.— The most 

 profitable extra early berry grown. It is 

 four to six days earlier than the Michel; 

 firm and good shipper; stands heat and 

 drouth second to none; beautiful deep blood 

 red to center; exceedingly productive, 

 thrifty and rank in growth; berries large 

 and e-ood shape; it is a staminate or self- 

 pollenizer. 60c. per 100: $5.00 per 1000. 



SENATOR DUNLAF STRAWBERRY. — 

 Immense producer of firm berries of the 

 highest flavor and beautiful color: thrifty 

 grower and splendid drought resister. Per 

 100. 60c; per 1000, $5.00. 



All of Our Seeds are Tested Before Placing Them on Sale. 



