D. M. FERRY & GO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



57 



All our Tomato Seeds are from seed stocks care- 

 fully selected and saved by ourselves. We challenge 

 comparison of our stocks with any offered. 



Culture — Tomatoes do best on light, warm, not over rich soil, and success depends upon securing a rapid, vigorous and 

 unchecked growth during the early part of the season. Sow in hotbeds from six to eight weeks before they can be set out 

 of doors, which is when danger from frost is past; when the plants have four leaves transplant into shallow boxes or cold 

 frames, setting them four or five inches apart; give plenty of air and endeavor to secure a vigorous but steady and healthy 

 growth, so that at the time of setting in the open ground they will be strong and stocky. Even a slight check while the plants 

 are small will materially diminish their productiveness. Set out of doors as soon as danger from frost is over, but before doing 

 so harden off the plants by gradually exposing them to the night air and by the withdrawal of water until the wood becomes 

 hard and the leaves thick and of a dark green color. Transplant carefully and cultivate well as long as the vines will permit. 



To insure best results in respect to early ripening as well as the amount and pei-fection of fruit, it is advisable to train 

 up and trim the vines, especially if the patch is rather small. When the plants have been properly started and are six to 

 ten inches high they will begin to throw out branches. Select one of the largest and most vigorous of these and pinch off 

 all others except this one and the main stem. Care must be exercised not to pinch off the fruiting branches, which, as 

 they appear, can be distinguished by the buds that are formed very early. In a short time these two remaining branches 

 • will become equally vigorous and as ordinary varieties will grow four to six feet high during the season, they should be 

 securely tied at intervals of about ten inches to a long stake, preferably two inches square, which has been securely set in 

 near the root of the vine. Fruit will set to almost any height desired if all side branches are kept trimmed off. 



By such a method of training and trimming the fruits are kept clear from the ground and with free access of simlight 

 they ripen much earlier; the vitality, otherwise exhausted in superfluous branches and leaves, is utilized in forming 

 fruits of largest size, greatest perfection of shape and best quality. 



EARLIANA 



Sometime ago we were able to secure a 

 strain considerably improved and much 

 superior to that usually sold as Spark's Earliana, and we 

 now offer carefully selected seed of this most valuable 

 first early sort. Vine similar in growth, maturing bulk of 

 crop only a little later than Atlantic Prize, but the fruit is 

 larger, distinctly smoother, solid and of very good quality. 

 Early, smooth and of large size it is a particularly profitable 

 tomato for market gardeners. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 2 0z. 55c; 

 ' Lb. $1.00; 

 Lb. $3.00 



% 



Earliana 

 Tomato 



NOLTE'S EARLIEST 



Atlantic Prize 



This very early sort is more 

 prolific than Atlantic Prize 

 and continues in profitable production much longer. Vine 

 the most hardy of any of the first early sorts, insuring a 

 good yield even when growth conditions are not the most 

 favorable. Fruit large, bright red in color and of excellent 

 quality. Pkt.5c; Oz.Soc; 2 0z.40c; ^Lb.75c; Lb.$2.60 



We have in this variety 



a sort which, because of 

 its small, compact vine, can be set much 

 closer than the later sorts, and which will, 

 under similar conditions ripen up the 

 greater portion of its crop before the fruit 

 of the later sorts begins to color. The fruit 

 is of good size, form and color; though a 

 little soft it commands a ready sale, as it 

 comes to market at a time when it 

 meets with competition from but a few 

 early sorts; in respect to earliness this 

 being as yet unequaled by any. Excellent 

 for market gardeners and desirable, be- 

 cause of its earliness, for home use. Pkt. 5c; 

 Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; % Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.25 



of the best 

 sec ond early 

 sorts. Its first fruits are very early but the 

 vines continue to bear for a long time. 

 Vines large, with large, dark green leaves, 

 vigorous and wonderfully productive, be- 

 ing, under high culture, one of the heaviest 

 croppers; fruit medium sized to large, and unlike 

 most varieties it produces larger fruits as the sea- 

 son advances; perfectly smooth, solid, but without 

 a hard core; deep, rich red color and of excellent 

 flavor. This kind is admirably adapted to canners' 

 use. Pkt.5c; Oz.25c; 2 0z.40c; %Lb.75c; Lb.$2.26 



D. M. FERRY n DTI Ml K A variety introduced by us and 

 &CO'S v/r IliTIUJ we believe the best table 

 tomato, as far as quality is concerned. Vine medium sized, 

 but vigorous, healthy and productive. Fruit medium sized, 

 oval, very smooth and of exceedingly bright crimson- 

 scarlet color; very free from cracks and rotting but little. 

 The flesh is a distinct crimson-scarlet color. It is also one 

 of the best in flavor and entirely free from the hard spots 

 found in so many others. The Optimus is not only one of the 

 best for home use and for market, but one of the best can- 

 ning tomatoes. Pkt.5c; Oz.25c; 20z.40c;%Lb.75c; Lb.$2.25 



FAVORITE. Vine medium sized, having clusters 

 of three to seven large tomatoes which are of rich, 

 dark red color, oval outline and smooth; flesh very 

 firm, without green spots. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 

 2 Oz. 40c; H Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.25 



ROYAL RED. Vines stronger and more vigorous 

 than the Favorite. The fruit is larger, brighter, 

 deeper red and fully as good in quality. This is 

 certainly a fine tomato for those who prize large 

 size and bright color. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 25c; 2 Oz. 40c; 

 ' Lb. 75c; Lb. $2.25 



This is the heaviest and most solid 

 fruited of the large tomatoes of good 

 quality. Our stock Is distinctly superior to most 

 of that offered under this name, being more uni- 

 form, better colored and larger. Vines vigorous 

 and productive. Fruit round, apple-shaped, very 

 large, very deep red in color and astonishingly 

 heavy. Pkt.6c;Oz.25c; 2 0z.40c; ^Lb.75c;Lb.$2.25 



QUARTER CENTURY. Vine dwarf and com- 

 pact, like the well known Dwarf Champion. Fruit 

 scarlet-red, medium sized, very smooth and of ex- 

 cellent quality, either for the table or for canning. 

 Earlier than Dwarf Stone. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 30c; 

 2 Oz. 55c; \ Lb. $1.00; Lb. $3.00 



HtA/arf ^4rkno ^iii^ dwarf but very vigorous and produc- 



L*Wari jlUilC tive. While maturing with the later sorts 



the fruit is of good color, exceedingly smooth, very solid, 



and the largest in size of any of the dwarf varieties. 



Pkt. 6c; Oz. 40c; 



2 0z. 75c; ^ Lb. $1.25; 

 Lb. $4.00 



^ 



STONE 



EARLY MICHIGAN ?-, 



Stone Tomato. 



