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



47 



SAFFRON (Carthamus tinctorius). French. Safran, 

 German, .Sa/m/tp^a ?i2e.— A hardy annual from Egypt, that 

 has become naturalized in many parts of the country. Culti- 

 vated for its tiowers. which are used in dyeinj?. and to make 

 the cosmetic powder called rouge, al.soto adulterate the valu- 

 able European Saffron, which is the tlower of the Crocuf; 

 sativus, and has strong medicinal properties. Sow early and 

 gather the leaves before fading, drying them in the shade. 



SAGE iSalvia officin- 

 alis). French, Sauge. 

 German. Salbei.-A hardy 

 perennial, posses.sing 

 .some medicinal proi)er- 

 ties, but cultivated prin- 

 cipall}- for use as a con- 

 diment ; it being used 

 more extensively than 

 any other herb for flavor- 

 ing and dressing. Sow 

 early in spring (four to 

 five lbs per acre in drills; 

 on very rich ground, cul- 

 tivate often and thin the 

 plants to sixteen inches 

 apart. Cut the leaves and 

 tender shoots just as the 

 plant is coming into 

 flower, and dr\- quickly in 

 the shade. The plants 

 will survive the winter, 

 and may be divided. If 

 this is done they will give 

 a second crop superior in 

 quality. 



SWEET BASIL (Ocimum hasilicum). French. Basilic. 

 German. Bnsilikum.—A hardy annual from the East Indies. 

 The seed and stems are used for flavoring soups and sauces, 

 having the flavor of cloves. 



Sage. 



SWEET FENNEL i Fcaniculum officinale.) French. Fen- 

 ouil. German, Feuchel. — A hardy perennial. The leaves are 

 largely used in soup)S. fish sauces, garnishes and sala/ls. The 

 seed is sometimes used in confectionery. Sow and cultivate 

 like Anise. 



SWEET MARJORAn (Origanum niarjorana). French, 

 Marjoluine. German. Marjoram.— \ perennial plant, but 

 not hardy enough to endure the winter of the North. The 

 young, tender tops are u.sed green for flavoring, or they may 

 be dried for winter use. Sow in drills as early as possible, 

 and thin out the plants to ten inches. 



SUMMER SAVORY (Satureia hortensis). French. Sar- 



riette annuelle. German, Bohnenkruut—A hardy annual, 

 the dried stems, leaves and flowers of which are extensively 

 used for flavoring, particularly in dressings and soups. Cul- 

 ture the same as that 'of Sweet Marjoram. 



TANSY (Tanacetum vidgare). French. Tanaisie. Ger- 

 man. \\'urinkraut.—A hardy perennial plant from Europe, 

 but growing wild in many parts of the country The leaves, 

 when green, have a peculiar, aromatic odor, which they lose 

 in drying. Cultivated for its medicinal properties, which are 

 those common to bitter herbs. 



THYHE (Thymus vulgaris). French. Tliym. German. 

 Thymian.— This herb is perennial, and is both a medicinal 

 and culinary plant. The young leaves and tops are used for 

 soups, dressing and sauce; a tea is made of the leaves which 

 is a great remedy- in nervous headache. Sow as early as the 

 ground will permit. 



WORHWOOD (Artemisia absinthium). French. Absin- 

 the. German. Wermuth.—A perennial plant of strong and 

 fragrant odor, and aromatic, but intensely bitter taste. The 

 leaves are used as a tonic and vermifuge, and also for fresh 

 bruises. Is raised from seed and propagated by cuttings, 

 or dividing the roots. A dry, poor soil is best adapted to 

 bring out the peculiar virtues of this plant. 



foREST Tree and Hedge Seeds. 



Few investments made bj- our farmers will return a larger 

 profit in the course of a few years than the planting of forest 

 trees on uncultivated land, or on land cultivated at a loss. The 

 time is rapidly coming when a few acres covered with our 

 best forest trees will be of great value 



EVERGREEN TREE SEEDS. 



The seed of evergreen trees should be kept in a dry, cool 

 place, until time of sowing. As early in spring as the ground 

 can be worked, the seed should be sown thinlj- in beds of 

 fine, sandy loam, raised about four inches alxjve the general 

 surface. The seed can be raked in. or. if very small, it may lie 

 upon the surface and then be rolled in or patted with the back 

 of the spade to firm the earth around the seed Then water 

 very sparingly, and with a fine spray. The young plants are 

 very apt to damp off, and need to be shaded from the hot 

 sun and drying winds. A good shade can be made of laths 

 nailed two inches apart to a light frame. . This should be sup- 

 ported about eight inches above the seed bed in such a way 

 as to be easily removed to allow cultivation and weeding. Do 

 not allow the young plants to become choked with weeds. 

 Let them remain one or two years before transplanting 

 to permanent ground 



AMERICAN ARBOR VIT/C (Ttiuja occidentalis).— Sel- 

 dom over thirty feet high. Grows well under cultivation, 

 and makes one of the best hedges for a screen and wind 

 break. It is best grown from seed, which should be sown 

 and the seedlings transplanted as directed a*bove. About 20,- 

 000 seeds per ounce. 



SILVER FIR Mfcee.s pec^mafa).— An important timber tree 

 which grows to a large size. When young the trees are ten- 

 der and easily injured by frost, but as they grow larger are 

 entirelj' hardy. 



HEMLOCK (Tsugo Canadensis). — One of the mo?X beauti- 

 ful of our native evergreen trees. Of graceful habit with 

 graceful and delicate foliage. The bark is used very exten- 

 sively for tanning leather. It requires a light, dry soil. About 

 12.0J0 seeds per ounce. 



SCOTCH PINE (Pinus .<iylvestris) —Yery hardy: grows 

 surely and rapidly on nearly every variety of soil, forming a 

 beautiful tree: invaluable for a wind break. About 4,800 seeds 

 per ounce. 



WHITE, OR WEYMOUTH PINE (Pinus strobus)— The 

 most inaje.stic and valuable of all our native pines: thrives 

 best in light sand with clay subsoil, and prefers plains and 

 broad liver valleys to higher lands. It has furnished im- 

 mense quantities of the white pine lumber so well known 

 throughout the countrj-. About 2.8(J0 seeds jier ounce. 



NORWAY SPRUCE (Abies e.vcetsa).-\yen known as one 

 of our most beautiful evergreen trees. It is hardy, of rapid 

 growtli and forms a dense, close screen, or hedge. About 

 20,000 seeds to the pound. 



DECIDUOUS TREE SEEDS. 



A little care with the seed of deciduous trees is only re- 

 quired in sowing, at the proper season to insure success. 

 Those with hard shells like the locusts should be planted in 

 the fall or placed in boxes with sand and expo.sed to frost 

 before planting, otherwise the\- may lie in the ground from 

 one to three years without sprouting. If too late in spring to 

 expose them'to the action of the frost, pour water which is 

 nearly boiling over the seeds and let it stand till cool, when a 

 portion of the seed will have swollen: pick these out and 

 scald the rest again, continuing till all have swollen. 



The seed of the other deciduous trees on our list should be 

 planted from the middle of April to the middle of May. in 

 drills about two feet apart, and covered to the proper depth; 

 about twice the diameter of the seed. 



WHITE ASH (Fraxinus ^7ner/canay— Requires a moist, 

 deep soil, on which it will grow very rapidly. It deserves 

 special attention from those who wish to grow trees for tim- 

 ber. Succeeds best from seed, which should be planted like 

 com. where the trees are to stand, but not over an inch in 

 depth. "When grown singly it is very ornamental, forming a 

 large, round head. About 1,200 seeds per ounce. 



EUROPEAN ASH (Fraxinus excelsior). —Succeeds best in 

 rather a warm climate; thrives upon the plains in deep soils, 

 but does poorly on stiff clay or light, sandy soils. Its timber 

 is valuable in carriage making and manufacturing. About 

 600 seeds per ounce. 



WHITE BIRCH (Betula a/6a\- Valuable for ornamental 

 planting, and a favorite wood for shoe pegs. sp>ools. bobbins 

 and similar small articles. The Birch prefers a cool, humid 

 climate and is readily propagated from seed. The seed thrives 

 best on new ground. It scarcely admits of anj- covering, but 

 if simply pressed into the ground with the feet will grow. 

 When one year old transplant into nursery rows. When two 

 or three feet high set out the young trees where they are to 

 remain. 



BOX ELDER. OR ASH LEAVED MAPLE (Acer ne- 

 gundo).— This seems to succeed as well as any in the North- 

 west The trees are said to reach a diameter of seven inches 

 in six years, and exceedingly hardy, not only to resist cold 

 but drought and dry winds: suffers le.ss from insects than 

 any other. One of the most desirable sorts for planting on 

 timber claims. About 60il seeds per ounce. 



HARDY CATALPA (Catalpa .s/jec/o.-ja^.— Scarcely a tree 

 on our list can be so strongly recommendetl as this for 

 planting on the treeless prairies of our Western States. It is 

 of quick growth, and has proven itself hanlv as far north as 

 the Dakotas: is one of the most durable timbers known. 



Catalpa seed can be sown dry on a still day. but the better 

 way is to wet the seevl for a few hours before planting, and 

 mix with a little sifted soil to prevent their sticking together. 

 Sow in April or May, in well preparetl loamy stMl in rows four 

 feet apart, sowing seed thickly in the rows, covering half an 



