184 



J, STECKlvKR SEED CO., I/TD., ALMANAC AND 



Black Diamond Water Melon— A 



cross between Kolb'sGem and HoosierKing. 

 All that could be said of the Kolb Gem as 

 to good shipping qualities can be truthfully 

 stated in a higher degree of the Black 

 Diamond. All the praise of high quality 

 bestowed on the Sweetheart can be repeated 

 of our new Melon, but its prominent point 

 of merit is its extreme size — no melon ever 

 yet produced anything like so uniformly 

 large fruit nor approaching it in produc- 

 tiveness. Melons weighing from 75 to 90 

 pounds are frequent. It is the most prolific 

 Water Melon ever planted. Its color is a 

 rich dark green, almost black. Of uniform 

 symmetrical shape, roundish to bluntly 

 oval, and this similarity of shape running 

 through the whole field. The habit of the 

 vine is extremely vigorous. Package 10c; 

 oz. 15c. ; X pound 25c. ; pound 75c. 



Br ightest I/ong Scarlet Radish— A 

 decided improvement in earliness and color 

 over other varieties of its class. Fit for use 

 in about twenty-five days, when planted 

 outdoors; has a small top, and no neck; 

 bright scarlet color. 15c. per oz.; 25c. 34 

 pound; 75c. per pound. 



The White Vienna Radish.— Root 

 white, very smooth and clean skinned, 

 straight spindle shaped, from two to nearly 

 three inches long, and from 4-5 to 1 inch 

 broad at the top; neck, short, rounded, 

 tinged with green and very narrow at the 

 insertion of the leaf stalk; leaves rather 

 large, broad and of a light green color. 

 This is an early variety. The root takes 

 four or five weeks to become fully formed; 

 the flesh is very tender, crisp and juicy, 

 oz. ioc, 3^ lb. 25c, 1 lb. 75c. 



Early Scarlet Turnip, White Tipped 

 Radish — One of the handsomest of the tur- 

 nip radishes and a great favorite in many 

 large markets for early planting outdoors. 

 It is but little later than the White Tipped, 

 Forcing, and will give entire satisfaction 

 where extreme earliness is not the primary 

 object. Roots slightly flattened on the un- 

 der side, color very deep scarlet with a 

 white tip; flesh white and of the best qual- 

 ity. Package ioc; oz. 15c; 34 pound 25c; 

 pound 75c. 



Seven Top Turnip — This variety is quite 

 largely planted in the Southf or green forage 

 during the winter months. The plants do not 

 produce bulbs, but are of strong growth with 

 abundant green foliage. In some sections 

 Turnips are largely planted to make a green 

 crop to turn under to enrich the soil, and 

 this variety is one of the best for the pur- 

 pose. Oz. ioc; 34 pound 20c; per pound 

 50c. 



New Early Freedom Tomato— The 



plant is medium in size. Fruit borne in 

 clusters, perfectly round, having no sign of 

 depression at the base, of a bright, brilliant 

 shade of scarlet. The flesh is remarkably 



solid, seed cavity very small. The flavor is 

 perfect, absolutely free from any acidity. 

 Early as the earliest and matures at first 

 picking more than double of other early 

 sorts. One of the most prolific of any yet 

 brought out, and the largest very early To- 

 mato known to the trade to-day. In pack- 

 ages only at 20c. per package. 



Cleveland's Extra Purple Early 

 Advance Tomato. — This is the earliest 

 perfectly smooth tomato ever offered. 

 Vines are medium in size, strong grow- 

 ers, great bearers, and coutinue bear- 

 ing throughout the season. Ten days 

 earlier than the Dwarf Champion. Fruits 

 medium in size, similar to the Dwarf Cham- 

 pion or Acme. Ripens 

 up evenly, of fine 

 quality and beautiful 

 dark or purple red in 

 color. Very profitable 

 for market gardeners 

 or truckers. Price, oz., 

 25c; X lb., 75c, lb. 

 $2.50. 



The Vegetable 

 Pear. — (Sychus or 

 Sechium edulis, or 

 Mirliton.) — For the 

 benefit of our many 

 customers, who have 

 often written for in- 

 formation regarding 

 this delicate vegeta- 

 ble, we decided to have The Vegetable Pear, 

 a cut made so as to 



show what it looks like. See page 90 for 

 description. Price, 15c each. Postage, ioc 

 extra. 



Wild Rice.— The natural time for sow- 

 ing is in the fall, although it may be sown 

 in the spring. The seed should first be 

 thoroughly soaked in water so that it will 

 sink into the desired situation. It may be 

 sown in shallow water, not over three feet 

 deep, and from this depth in to the shore. 

 While it will grow in deeper water, it should 

 be allowed to work its own way, the start 

 being made in shoal water. A still day 

 should be chosen for sowing so that it will 

 not drift off into too deep water. Price 

 per lb., 25c. 



Steckler's New Golden Pear— Ought 

 to be in every garden and orchard. The 

 tree is a cross between the Keiffer and the 

 Bartlett, and so far has not blighted. It 

 has fruited for the past four years. It is a 

 wonderful bearer and one half the fruit or 

 more is picked off the tree while small to 

 keep from breaking it down. The fruit is 

 between the Kieffer and the LeConte in 

 size; it ripens on the tree, without rotting, 

 about August 15th to 30th, but if picked and 

 stored as early as July 15th it will ripen 

 nicely. It is of a rich golden color when 

 ripe. Price $1.50 each. 



Garden Implements of all kinds, See lyist in this Book. 



