40 



D. M. FERRY & CO'5 DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



I 



This plant is extensively grown in Europe and Canada for 

 forage, especially for sheep; for the seed which is used for 

 oil and bird food; for green manure, for which purpose there 

 is perhaps no plant better adapted where a quick, rank 

 growth is desired. 



Culture. — Prepare the ground as for turnips and sow with 

 a turnip drill in rows two and one-half feet apart at the rate 

 of two and one-half pounds seed per acre. Or it may be 

 sown broadcast at the rate of five pounds per acre. If the 

 crop is to be grown for the seed, sow about the middle of 

 May; if for forage or green manure it need not be sown 

 before the middle of June. 



RUUBJIRJB, 



OR PIE PLANT, 



French, Ehubarbe. German, Rhabarber. 



Rhubarb, familiarly known as Pie Plant, or Wine Plant, is 

 cultivated in gardens for its leaf stalks, which are used for 

 pies and tarts. Immense quantities are now annually sold in 

 aU the large markets. No pi'ivate garden should be without 

 a bed of it. 



Culture.— Rhubarb succeeds best in deep, somewhat 

 retentive soil. The richer its condition, and the deeper it is 

 stirred the better. Sow in drills an inch deep, and thin out 

 the plants to six inches apart. In the fall, trench a piece of 

 groimd and manure it well; then transplant the young plants 

 into it three feet apart each way. Cover with leaves or litter 

 the first winter, and give a dressing of coarse manure every 

 fall. The stalks should not be plucked till the third year, and 

 the plant never allowed to exhaust itself by running to seed. 

 Our seed is saved from selected plants of Linneeus, Giant, 

 and other improved sorts. Like the..s:3eds of fruit trees, seed 

 cannot be relied upon to reproduce the same variety. We 

 have the roots for sale also. 



RICB, WILD, 



Zizania aquatica. 

 An annual which sows itself in the fall, about the middle 

 of September, hes dormant all winter, in spring commences 

 to sprout as soon as the water gets warm, reaching the sur- 

 face during the first half of June. It grows very rapidly in 

 one to four feet of water, ripens late in August or early in 

 September. It should be planted in the fall, before ice 

 forms, broadcast, from a boa^, in two or three feet of water, 

 having a mud bottom. It has been successfully planted 

 through the ice in winter and in the spring, but it succeeds 

 best when planted in the fall. As an attraction for wild 

 fowl it cannot be equaled. In large ponds and lakes it 

 purifies the water, affords a refuge for the small fry from 

 the large fish, as well as furnishing the small fry plenty of 

 food from the animalculae upon its stalks; for planting in 

 fish ponds it is especially desirable. It also does well along 

 the shores of marshes, and makes a good hay. In the South 

 ♦^wo crops can be cut, and aU cattle are very fond of it. 



OM VEGETABLE OYSTEB. 



French, Salsifis. German, Hafer-Wurzel. 



The long, white, tapering 

 root of Salsify resembles a 

 small parsnip, and when cook- 

 ed is a good substitute for oys- 

 ters, having a very similar 

 flavor. 



Culture.— It succeeds best 

 in a light, well enriched soil, 

 which should be stirred to a 

 good depth. If it is necessary to 

 use manure, it should be very 

 fine and well rotted, for if it is 

 fresh and coarse, the roots 

 will grow irregular and ill _ 

 shaped. Sow early and quite " -— *:S:' 

 deep, and give the general -^'"^ -. 

 culture recommended for the 

 parsnip. The roots are perfectly hardy, 

 and may remain out all -winter, but should 

 be dug early in the spring, as they deteri- 

 orate rapidly after growth commences. 

 Store a quantity for winter use in a pit, or 

 in a cellar in damp earth or sand, 



I.ARGE "WHITE.— The old sort; roots 

 medium size, smooth; flesh white. 



MAMMOTH SAXDWICH IS- 

 LAND.— This is in every way superior to 

 the old sort, being larger, stronger grow- 

 ing, and less liable to branch. Invaluable 

 to market gardeners. 



French, Epinard. German, Spinat. 



The spinage is very hardy, extremely wholesome and 

 palatable, and makes a delicious dish of greens, retaining its 

 bright green color after cooking. 



Culture. — Should be planted in very rich ground, the richer 

 the better. Sow in drills one foot apart, and commence 

 thinning out the plants when the leaves are an inch wide, 

 and all should be cut before hot weather, or it will be tough 

 and stringy. For early spring use the seed should be sown 

 early in autumn. In the Northern States the plants will 

 require a shght protection of leaves or straw, but in the 

 Southern States no protection is necessary, and they will 

 continue their growth most of the winter. 



SAVOY LEAVED.— The earliest variety and one of the 

 best to plant in autumn for early spring use. Plant of up- 

 right growth with narrow, pointed leaves, which are savoyed 

 like those of a cabbage. It grows quickly to a suitable size 

 for use, but soon rims up to seed. 



Round Summer. 



ROUND SUMMER.— This variety is generally preferred 

 for early spring sowing, and is the most popular with our 

 market gardeners; the leaves are large, thick and fleshy, not 

 quite so hardy as the Prickly Winter but stands the winter 

 very well. 



IMPROVED THICK LEAVED — An improvement on 

 the preceding, with larger and thicker leaves, and of more 

 substance. Particularly recommended for market garden 

 use. 



LONG STANDING.— An improved round seeded strain 

 of excellent merit, having all the good qualities of the 

 ordinary sorts ; what renders it especially desirable is the fact 



Improved Thick Leaved, 



that it is much later in going to seed than any other variety. 

 This valuable property wiU be appreciated by market 

 gardeners. 



LONG STANDING PRICKLY.— The plants mature a 

 little later than the round leaved sorts, but furnish a. large 

 quantity of very thick and*well flavored leaves. This is one 

 of the best sorts for market gardeners. Has prickly seed. 



PRICKLY "WINTER.— The hardiest variety, and wiU 

 withstand the severest weather, with only a slight protection 

 of leaves or straw. The seed is prickly, leaves triangular, 

 oblong or arrow shaped. It is employed for fall sowmg, 

 which in this latitude is made about the first of September. 



