36 



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



RAPE. 



SPINAQE. 



This plant is extensively grown in Europe and Canada for 

 forage, especially for sheep, and 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 in 

 June or July, with a turnip drill, in rows two and one-half 

 feet apart, at the rate of two and one-half pounds seed per 

 acre. It may be sown broadcast at the rate of five oounds 

 per acre. We handle only one variety of Rape for sowing, 

 the Dwarf Essex, which is a biennial and is used in this 

 country almost exclusively for pasture and green manure. 

 Our stock can be relied upon to be the true Dwarf Essex, 

 and not the annual variety, which has been extensively dis- 

 tributed and proven to be not only worthless for pasture but 

 by self-seeding, has in many cases become a pernicious weed. 



RHUBARB, tlZ^. 



French, Rhiibarbe. 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 

 all the large markets. No private garden should be with- 

 out it. 



Culture. — Rhubarb succeeds best in deep, somewhat reten- 

 tive 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 transplant the young 

 plants into very highly manured soil, setting them three feet 

 apart each way, and give a dressing of coarse manure every 

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

 and the plant never allowed to exhaust itself by running to 

 seed. Our seed is saved from selected plants of Linnaeus, 

 Victoria, Giant and other improved sorts. Like the seeds of 

 fruit trees, rhubarb seed cannot be relied upon to reproduce 

 the same variety. We also have the roots for sale. 



SALSIFY, 



OR VEGETABLE 

 OYSTER. 



French, Salsifis. German, Hafer-Wurzel. 



The long, white tapering root of Salsify resembles a small 

 parsnip, and when cooked is a good substitute for oysters, 

 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 wiU grow irregular and ill 

 shaped. Sow early and quite deep, giving the general culture 

 recommended for parsnip. The roots are perfectly hardy, 

 and may remain out all winter, but should be dug early in 

 spring, as they deteriorate rapidly after growth commences. 

 Store a quantity for winter use in a pit, or in a ceUar in damp 

 earth or sand. 



LARGE WHITE.— The old sort; roots medium size, smooth; 

 flesh white. 



flAMHOTH SANDWICH ISLAND.— This is in every way 

 superior to the old soi't, being larger, stronger growing, and 

 less hable to branch. Invaluable to market gardeners. 



SORREL, LARGE LEAVED FRENCH. 



SORREL.. 



French, Oseille. German, Sauerampfer. 



Those who think of sorrel as the starved looking weed of 

 barren lands, have Kttle idea of the possible value of the 

 plant. The improved varieties when well grown and cooked 

 same as spinage, make a healthful and palatable dish. 



Culture. — Sow in drills early in spring and thin the seed- 

 lings to six or eight inches apart in the row. One may com- 

 mence cutting in about two months and the plants will con- 

 tinue in full bearing from three to four years. 



LARGE LEAVED FRENCH.— The best garden variety, 

 having large, pale green leaves of fine quality. 



French, Epinard. German, Spinat. 



The spinage is very hardy, extremely wholesome and palat- 

 able, 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 ch-ills one foot apart, and commence thin- 

 ning out the plants when the leaves are an inch wide. 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 North the plants will require a shght pro- 

 tection of leaves or straw, but in the Southern States no pro- 

 tection is necessary, and they will continue their growth most 

 of the winter 



SPINAGE, SAVOY LEAVED. 



SAVOY LEAVED.— The earliest variety and one of the 

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

 growth with narrow, pointed leaves which are savoyed hke 

 those of cabbage. It grows quickly to a suitable size for use, 

 but soon runs to seed. 



SPINAGE, ROUND SUMMER. 



ROUND SUnriER — 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 weU, 



