26 



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



cutting without wilting. Repeated trials, both for forcing 

 and early planting out doors convince us that this is a decided 

 improvement over other varieties of this class for either pur- 



TiLTON s White Star 



DENVER MARKET (seed white). — A variety of the same 

 general character of growth as the last two, this being 

 noticable for its savoyed and crimpled leaf. It grows a larger 

 plant and head and is very tender and sweet. 



BLACK SEEDED SIMPSON. -For those who like a large, 

 thin, exceedingly tender leaf, and for tliose markets which 

 demand a large, loose cluster of leaves rather than a solid 

 head, this is one of the best varieties either for forcing or 

 early sowing out of doors. Plant large, forming a large 

 loose head; light yellowish-green in color, so that a little 

 wilting is not noticed. Leaves large, thin, slightly ruffled 

 and blistered, the inner ones nicely blanched, and even the 

 large outside leaves are tender and of good quality. By far 

 the most popular variety in Detroit markets, and one of the 

 best for general market garden use, as it is attractive, of 

 excellent quality, and continues a long time in condition for 

 use. 



SIMPSON'S EARLY CURLED (seed white).— Sknilar to 

 the last, but the plant is a little smaller and decidedly darker 

 in color, and the leaves are more frilled and blistered. Popu- 

 lar in New York markets. 



EARLY TENNIS BALL (seed black).— A first-class 

 head lettuce, and one of the best for forcing under glass or 

 early planting out doors. Plants medium size, having thick 

 dark green leaves, and when well grown forming compact 

 solid heads, which blanch easily and are crisp and tender. 

 Should not be planted in the hot weather of summer, as it 

 then runs up to seed quickly. This is also known as Stone 

 Tennis Ball, on account of its exceedingly solid head. 



SILVER BALL (seed white).— A remarkable variety in 

 that it is an excellent sort for forcing and out door culture. 

 The thick, light green leaves have so much sheen that they 

 actually look silvery white in some lights and the good sized 

 head is of excellent quality. 



HUBBARD'S MARKET (seed white).— After the style of 

 Tennis Ball, but grows larger and is later to mature, and the 

 head is a little more open. Popular in some eastern markets. 



BIG BOSTON (seed white).— Very similar to the Silver 

 Ball, but the plant is larger, more hardy and vigorous. Is 

 very popular with many gardeners who want a large headed 

 forcing sort. 



EARLY CURLED SILESIA (seed white).— An early erect 

 growing, loose heading variety, which may be used very 

 young; when young it is exceedingly sweet and well flavored. 

 Color light green ; leaves much frilled and savoyed. 



FERRY'S EARLY PRIZE HEAD (seed white) —The 

 enormous demand for this old favorite proves conclusively 

 that it has no superior where a thin, tender, crisp and sweet 

 lettuce is wanted for the home garden or local market. Being 

 so thin leaved and tender it of course wilts very quickly after 

 cutting and so is not adapted to growing for distant markets, 

 but must be delivered, soon after cutting, directly to the con- 

 sumer. Plant large, deep green, so washed with red as often 

 to appear more red than green ; forming a head of a dense 

 mass of leaves rather than one like a cabbage, and very slow 

 to run to seed; leaves large, nearly round, frilled at the edge 

 and densely blistered. They are exceeding crisp, tender and 

 good flavored, and do not become bitter as early as other 

 varieties. 



HANSON (seed white). — So well known as to hardly need 

 any description. Plant large, forming a large, flat head, re- 

 sembling that of a cabbage, and so slow to run to seed that it 



often faUs to form any seed stalk. Outer leaves bright green, 

 with prominent, light colored veins, inner leaves white and 

 usually curved and twisted at the base, very tender and sweet. 

 We have seen heads of this variety as large as Early York 

 Cabbage and about as solid, though of course much flatter. 

 It is the standard out door head lettuce. 



FRANKFORT HEAD, OR SALAMANDER (seed black). 

 The best light colored, smooth, thick leaved head lettuce. 

 Plant hght, bright green, with many broad, smooth leaves, 

 nearly all of which are gathered into a dense, round head, 

 which is slow to run to seed. Leaves very thick, the inner 

 ones blanched to a light yellow, tender and of a rich flavor. 



BUTTERCUP (seed white).— Plants medium size, with 

 numerous round, smooth leaves, which are of a beautiful 

 yellow color, and very sweet and tender. They form medium 

 size fairly sohd heads, which, when prepared for the table, 

 are exceedingly attractive in appearance. 



PHILADELPHIA BUTTER, OR EARLY WHITEHEAD 



(seed white).— Many prefer a thick leaved, smooth lettuce, 

 and to meet this demand we present this sort. Plant dark 

 green, with many nearly round, thick leaves formed into a 

 very solid, round head, which stands a long time without nm- 

 ning to seed. Leaves very thick, folded or puckered at the 

 base, the inner ones blanched to a rich yellow color, and 

 exceedingly rich and nutty in flavor. 



DEACON (seed white)— While this does not make as large 

 a head as some others, the heads formed are very solid and 

 of excellent flavor, and remain in condition for use as long as 

 any variety in cultivation. Plant medium size, with very few 

 outer leaves; leaves light green, very thick. This is certainly 

 one of the best varieties for summer use. 



LARGE DRUHHEAD, OR VICTORIA CABBAGE (seed 



white). — The largest of the heading lettuces. Plant very 

 large, forming an immense, loose head, bright green without, 

 and light green or white within. Leaves very large, strongly 

 veined, coarse, but the inner ones are very crisp and tender. 



BROWN DUTCH (seed brown).— An old sort, noted for 

 its hardiness. " Leaves large, thick, green, tinged with brown. 

 It always forms a large, solid head, which is somewhat coarse 

 looking, but the inner leaves are beautifully blanched, exceed- 

 ingly sweet, tender and well flavored. Desirable because of 

 its hardiness and fine quality. 



The Cos lettuces are distinct from the preceding sorts, in 

 having long, narrow, spoon shaped leaves, which usually 

 fold into loose sugar loaf shaped heads, which blanch better 

 by having the outer leaves drawn about them and tied. 

 They are justly celebrated throughout Europe on account of 

 their exceeding crispness, tenderness and delicate flavor, 

 and are becoming more and more popular in this country as 

 they become better known. 



Cos. Ea) 



White S elf- Folding. 



COS, EARLY WHITE SELF=FOLDING (seed white).— 

 A new and distinct Cos lettuce which does not need tying up. 

 The leaves are yellowish-white in color, long, narrow, upright, 

 folding into a solid head like that of an Early York Cabbage. 

 This is a truly self-blanching lettuce: is veiy crisp and tender, 

 and of superior flavor. Sold also as Trianon. 



MARTYNIA. 



A strong growing, hardy, annual plant, with curious shaped 

 seed pods, which, when young and tender, are highly prized 

 for pickling. The pods are produced in great abundance, 

 and should be gathered when about half grown; after the 

 hardening of the flesh they are worthless. 



Culture.— Sow after settled warm weather in rows three 

 feet apart and thin the plants to two feet in the row. 



PROBOSCIDEA.— The common variety. Sow in rich, 

 warm soil after corn is well up, in drills three feet apart, and 

 thin the plants out to two feet in the row. 



