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



The dry bean is jet black, longer, more curved and flatter than 

 the Prolific (German Wax. Owing to its extreme earliness there 

 is no variety of Wax Bean better to plant in the autumn as a 

 catch crop following Early Peas. etc. 



REFUGEE WAX.— An old variety that heretofore has been 

 so impure and uneven that we did not care to offer it. We 

 have now secured a stock which can be depended upon to 

 produce thick, fleshy wax-like pods, of fine quality and of 

 a clear waxy-white color. It is one of the earliest beans in 

 cultivation.' 



BLACK=EYED WAX.— Vines medium size, erect, bearing 

 the pods near the center. Leaves large, thin, dark green. 

 Pods long, straight, proportionately narrow, and rounder 

 than those of the Golden Wax, and of a lighter color, with a 

 medium length light green point. They cook quickly, both as 

 snap and as shell beans. Dry beans, medium size. long, cylin- 

 drical, white, with black spot around the eye. As early as 

 the Golden Wax. of very good quality and in some localities 

 esteemed highly as a first early variety, but we think it infe- 

 rior in quality and earliness to the Challenge Black Wax. 



D. M. FERRY & COS DETROIT WAX. -Very hardy. 

 The verv productive erect growing plants, bear their pods 

 verj- near the center of the vine, but occasionally throw a 

 stem above the leaves. Leaves large, dark green: blossoms 

 small, white: pods straight, flat, but thick to edge; distinctly 

 broader than the Golden'Wax. They are frequently greenish- 

 yellow when young, but when well grown and fit for use they 

 are of a beautiful golden wax color and of good quaUt}-. 

 We think this variety the least Uable to rust of any and the 

 fact that other seedsmen offer it under other names as abso- 

 lutely rust-proof, is evidence that they have found it as 

 nearly i-ust-proof as any wax bean can be. When picked 

 along" with Golden Wax' and other varieties, it k^ eps bright 

 and crisp long after these are lilted and unsalable, making 

 it one of the best for shipping long distances. It is also one 

 of the verv best green shelled beans, and excellent dry, being 

 verv much like the White Marrow when baked. Dry beans 

 the' shape of the White Marrow, white with l&rge patch of 

 chocolate brown about the eve. 



D. M. FERRY & CO.'S GOLDEN WAX.— This bean, 

 introduced by us in 1S76. has long been and still continues 

 the standard wax variety for general use. and while many 

 varieties have been introduced, claiming to be superior in 

 some respects and aiming to replace it. they have all sooner 

 or later been forced to the rear as not possessing as many 

 good qualities in as high degree. Vines medium size, erect, 

 moderately spreading, hard}" and productive, with small, 

 smooth leaves, and small, white blossoms. Pods are long, 

 nearly straight, broad, flat, golden yellow, very fleshy and 

 wax-like, with short, fleshy, green point, cooking quick!}- as 

 snaps, shelling well when green, and of the highest qualitj- 

 in both conditions. Beans medium size, oval, white, more or 

 less covered with two shades of purplish red. Our stock of 

 this variety is unsurpassed. 



GRENELL RUST PROOF WAX.— Vine a little more 

 upright than the Golden Wax and the waxy white pods are 

 more nearly straight and proportionately broader than those 

 of that fine Variety. A verj- popular sort with some gardeners. 



GOLDEN=EYED WAX.— A hardy, large growing variety 

 which withstands rust remarkably well, but the pods are 

 quite coarse and flat and soon become stringy, and are not 

 desirable except for shipping long distances. Vines vigorous, 

 hard}-, upright, with large coarse leaflets and very produc- 

 tive, holding the pods well up from the ground: flowers white, 

 medium size: the wax}- golden-yellow pods are long, straight, 

 flat, moderately fleshy, rather coarse and not entirely stringless 

 nor of the bf^st' flavor. Dry beans medium size, kidney shape, 

 somewhat flattened, white with a yellow spot about the eye. 



CURRIE'S RUST PROOF WAX.— This variety is claimed 

 to be absolutely ru>;t proof and we have found it like the Detroit 

 Wax, as nearly rust proof as any good wax podded bean can be. 

 Vine vigorous and productive, about the season of Kidney 

 Wax: pods similar to Detroit Wax: dry beans bluish-black. ' 



PROLIFIC GERMAN WAX, BLACK SEEDED.-We 

 are so thoroughly satisfled with this improved strain of 

 Black Wax that we have discarded the old strain altogether, 

 this being more vigorous growing, far more productive, with 

 a longer, whiter, more fleshy pod and unsurpassed in flavor. 

 Vines medium sized, very vigorous and hardy, withstanding 

 rust exceedingly well. Flowers reddish white or purple. 

 Pods medium length, borne well up among the foliage, 

 curved, cylindrical, thick, fleshy, and of a clear, waxy-white 

 color, with long, slightly curved point: remain a long time in 

 condition for use as snaps. Beans small, oblong, jet black. 

 No one can afford to plant the old strain, as this is much bet- 

 ter in every respect. Similar but often inferior strains are 

 sold under the name of Cylinder Black Wax, New Prolific, etc 



GERMAN WAX, WHITE SEEDED. -Vines small, 

 erect, with large, light-colored leaves, and white blossoms. 

 Pods, short, broad, flat, white, fleshy and wax-like, of medium 

 quality, but very handsome. Beans medium size. oval, white. 

 We have developed a strain of this variety quite free from 

 green pods usually found in this sort. 



WARDWELL'S KIDNEY WAX.-The vines of this variety 

 are very lar^re. strong growing, but are i^eculiarly liable to 

 blight, but when healthy, yield a large crop of long, nearly 

 straight, handsome, very white and wax-like j^ods. They are 

 of good quality and on this account, as well as their beauty of 

 form and color, are easily sold. They ripen about the same 



time as the Golden Wax. The dry beans are large, kidney 

 shaped, white with dark markings about the eye. Market 

 gardeners find this a profitable variety owing to the large 

 size and handsome color of the pods. 



SCARLET FLAGEOLET WAX.-The Flageolet Wax. as 

 grown in Europe, consists of two stocks, one with beans of a 

 scarlet color, and the other with beans of a similar form, but 

 deep violet or purple shade. We have separated and by care- 

 ful selection, fixed the lighter colored bean and have given 

 it the above name. Vines large, branching, but erect; pro- 

 ductive. Leaves large, very light colored: blossoms white; 

 pods very long, flat, "often curved and twisted, of a golden 

 wax color, but rough surface. i>oint projecting from back 

 of pod and very long, the pod gradually tapering into the 

 point. Dry beans, large, flat, bright red. 



VIOLET FLAGEOLET WAX. -Plant very large, with 

 large, light green leaves. Pods very long and large, being 

 longer than those of the Scarlet Flageolet Wax. also more 

 twisted. When well grown one of the most showy of wax 

 beans. The pods are a little later in coming into use than the 

 Scarlet Flageolet, but are distinctly larger. Similar strains 

 are sold as Perfection Wax and by other names. 



SPECKLED WAX.— As the merits of this splendid variety 

 become known it is coming more and more into favor as a 

 late crop wax bean. It is the best sort to foUow Challenge 

 Black Wax. Golden Wax, Prolific Wax for a succession. 

 Vines large, much branched, upright, extremely hardy, vig- 

 orous and great producers: leaves large and coarse, resem- 

 bling Kidney Wax. Pods long, cylindrical, crisp, tender, string- 

 less, and of a clear, yellowish, waxy- white color. As the 

 pods mature they are'excellent to use as green sheU beans. 

 Dry beans, medium size to large, long, straight, cylindrical; 

 color light brown, mottled and striped -svith chocolate brown. 

 For vigor of growth and hardiness, this sort cannot be 

 excelled: as a snap bean it is of extra good quality, and as a 

 shell bean it is as good as the best. As a general crop bean 

 to be used either as snaps, green shelled or in the dry state, 

 we can confidently recommend it as superior to any other 

 variety. Owing to' its long, cylindrical, very fleshy pods, we 

 think "it will be very satisfactory for canners" tise. 



CRYSTAL WHITE WAX.— Distinct, but not strictly a 

 wax bean. Very desirable for snaps or for pickles. Vines 

 large, spreading, very productive, having many nmners, pro- 

 ducing pods in pairs throughout their whole length. Blossoms 

 small, yellowish-white; pods greenish-white, short, curved, 

 round or thicker than wide, with crease in the back, very 

 fleshy and brittle. Ripe beans small, oval, white. 



T7te following are green podded varieties, and are named 

 about in the order of ripening, although this varies indiffer- 

 ent seasons. 



EXTRA EARLY REFUGEE.— The eariiest of the green 

 podded kinds furnishing a fleshy pod of fine quality. With 

 us it is usually fit to pick as soon as our Golden or Detroit 

 Wax and is from two to three weeks earlier than ordinar}- 

 Refugee. The vines, though a little smaller, are fully as 

 hardy and vigorous as that variety, and more upright grow- 

 ing and the foliage is distinctly lighter colored. Pods of the 

 same size and shape, except slightly flatter and of f idly as good 

 quality as snaps. Dry bean same size, shape and color as com- 

 mon Refugee. Our stock has been selected with great care 

 and is extremely uniform, all the vines ripening well together. 

 EARLY RED VALENTINE, IMPROVED ROUND POD.- 

 For snaps there is nothing superior to this variety among 

 the green podded sorts and many prefer it to the wax 

 varieties. Vines erect, with 

 coarse, dark green leaves, and 

 large. Avhite blossoms; pods 

 medium length, curved, cylin- 

 drical, with crease in back, very 

 fleshy, crisp and tender; beans 

 medium size: long, irregu- 

 lar, pink, marbled with red. 

 Among green podded varieties 

 there is none, we think, that 

 can compare with our stock 

 of Valentine in fleshiness and 

 high quality of pod. Many dif- 

 ferent strains of Valentine are 

 offered under slightly varying 

 names, each claiming to be a 

 great and distinct improve- 

 ment. We have carefully ex- 

 amined them all. both in trials 

 and in large yield, and have 

 found none which we were 

 willing to substitute for our 

 oKl stock, which combines to 

 a high degree, all the good 

 qualities of the sort. 



BEST OF ALL.-The vine 

 is very hardy, vigorous and 

 healthy, producing an abund- 

 ance of very straight, hand 

 some pods, which wnen fit for 

 use as snaps, are round, very 

 l>rittle and of a pecuUar deep 

 green color. As the pods ma- 

 ture they become lighter in 

 color and splashed with bright 



BEST OF ALL. 



