D. M. Ferry & Cos Descriptive Catalogue. 



These farms are under the management of one of the most experienced and successful grow- 

 ers in Ameiica, and the statement has fie(|uently been made hy those fully competent to judge. 



f^^. 



Scene on D, 



Ferry &. Go's Seed Farm.— WEEDING. 



that while they are not the largest they are certainly the best cultivated and most productive 

 seed farms in the country, if not in the world. But to grow all of our seeds on a single tract 

 would be impracticable, for we require the product of nearly 800 acres of cucumbers, 650 acres of 

 beans, and a proportionate amount of corn, tomato, melon and other seeds ; nor would it be 

 desirable to grow all our seeds at one point, for not only is there the danger of mixing the varie- 

 ties, but often the soil and climate best suited to grow one sort is entirely unfitted to grow 

 another, so we make 



Contracts for Seeds to toe OrOlJvn for us in localities ranging from Con- 

 necticut on the east to California on the west, and from Georgia to northern Michigan, besides 

 having special crops grown for us in Canada, England, France, Germany and Italy. These con- 

 tracts are with experienced growers, many of whom have devoted their entire time and attention 

 for years to the production of some special crop to which their location is peculiarly adapted, 

 and so have acquired a skill in growing this particular seed which no gardener or even general 

 seed giowcr can hope to ecjual. Bul a\ e aic not content to rely solely on their reputation and 

 ™™_™_,_„^ '' ""' "^~'-'^'-^0'p»M experience, but each crop is visited and a careful 



Kcord kept, not only of its condition and quality, 

 hut of the facilities for, and pains taken to secure, 

 the highest excellence. The stock seed used is 

 in all cases furnished or controlled by us, and in 

 procuring it we make every effort to secure the 

 \ ery best attainable, regardless of cost or trouble. 

 In this work we are greatly aided by 



Otir Trial Grounds. These are 



^ located within the city on Woodward avenue, 

 and here we have planted, side by side, and 

 treated precisely alike, samples of the stocks from 

 different growers, and also samples of any new 

 sorts, or improved stocks of old varieties which 



Interior Testing House on Trial Grounds. we may be able tO procure; and a careful record 



is made of the slightest difference in quality or character, so that we can detect the least tend- 

 ency to deterioration, or notice and take advantage of any superiority in any particular stock. 

 Some idea of the extent of this work may be gathered from the size of our grounds which occupy 

 nearly seven acres ; and also from the number of samples planted, which last season was over 



