8 



COLE'S GARDEN ANNUAL. 



"COJLE'S EARL.Y." 

 THE EARLIEST, THE HARDIEST AND MOST PRODUCTIVE, EVER INTRODUCED. 



NONE BETTER, TO GROW FOR LOCAL MARKETS, OR FAMILY USE. 



This fine new melon, we have the pleasure to introduce to our customers for trial only this season, 

 is worthy of an extended distribution. 



A few years ago one of our customers sent us a small lot, seed of this variety, to plant in our trial 

 grounds. 



He gave us the following history of it: He had been growing this variety for nearly twenty years, 

 and was always the first to have ripe melons for the market or family use. A good many would buy 

 his melons with the object of obtaining seed, but never did succeed in getting pure seed, as those 

 brought on the market were grown along side of other varieties, and so kept this variety in his own 

 family. 



The melons are of medium size, nearly round in shape, rind green, striped with lighter shades. It 

 is very early and hardy, vines grow vigorous and is a sure cropper. Flesh deep red color, of fine 

 delicious flavor, perfectly stringless, rind thin and rather brittle. Is not recommended as a shipper. 



The following extract from a letter received from Mr. 0. P. Coy, Waterloo, Neb., one of the largest 

 vine seed growers in the country, to whom we sent a little seed for trial three years ago, and who 

 has grown nearly every variety on the market, and who had written us in former letters to be sure 

 and introduce this variety, as worthy to put on the market: 



" I regard it as the very finest every day melon for a farmer's garden that I am acquainted with. 

 Tt is very early, very hardy and a sure cropper, it is delicate in texture of flesh, which is of deep red 

 color, the rind is thin and the quality of flesh is sustained clear to the rind. But it being brittle, 

 will never make it a shipper. But as it combines all the good qualities of the best melons for growing: 

 and eating it ought to be very popular as a melon for home use." \ 



FREE TO PURCHASERS. 



We offer to purchasers from this catalogue without charge, this most distinct and valuable novelty. 

 This •• New Melon, Cole'sEarly" is not for sale this season, but hope every customer will be in- 

 duced to give it a trial and report result to us next fall. We give this away as a premium on orders- 

 from this catalogue as follows: 



On orders of 52.00 and upwards, 1 packet will be given. 

 On orders of 55.00 and upwards, 3 packets will be given. 

 The above offer is in addition to, and does not interfere in any way with, our regular club terms., 

 andother premiums. It is absolutely free and will go with every order of the above amount either 

 in packets or bulk seeds. 



" THE BANQUET" MOSK MELON. 



This superb melon represents years of careful selection and 

 improvement of a stock of musk melon at the hands of the 

 largest and most experienced grower of melons in the world. 

 The raiser regards it as his greatest production, and likely to 

 supersede all other red-flesiied varieties. "The Banquet." is 

 a medium sized melon, very flat at both ends and more beauti- 

 fully netted than any known variety. In quality; it has no 

 equal; the flesh is uniformly deep and of that granulate 

 character that always indicates a good melon; color, dark rich 

 salmon. We are safe in saying that it will produce more fine 

 edible melons to a given area than any other variety. 

 Per pkt.. 10 cts., 3 pkts., 25 cts. 



WINTER PINE APPLE TUUsR MELON- 



Th is new variety is sent out, as the most valuable novelty of the 19th century- if it proves to be, 

 what the introducer claims for it, it is a decided acquisition. 



This is of a decidedly distinct appearance, the outside skin being deeply corrugated, with thick 

 flesh and small seed cavity. The flesh is light green, melting and of a rich aromatic pine apple 

 flavor. But the most remarkable and valuable feature of this new Melon, is its wonderful keeping qualities. 

 They do not ripen on the vines as other Musk Melons, but are picked before hard frost and laid 

 away in a cool, dry cellar, where they will keep sound and sweet for months. When wanted for use 

 they must be brought into a warm room, where they will ripen up in a few days. These qualities 

 will enable market gardeners to supply both families and restaurants and hotels with most delicious 

 Melons all winter. 



Per pkt.. 10 cts.. 3 pkts., 25 cts. 



BANQUET MUSK MELON 



