1S91 



geed ♦ Annual 



■4 r\ f\ A is at hand, and again we present to our patrons our new Seed Annual, illustrated, descriptive, complete to date, 

 I W \\ I and containing all that is best in garden and field culture. Since we have issued this for nearly forty years, it 

 J^O 3/ JL woul( i hardly seem necessary to preface our list by a statement of our facilities for furnishing' the best - 



and yet we do so for two reasons: first, because this Annual will reach the hands of many hundreds of new 

 readers, and again, because with the constantly increasing interest and skill in the production of superior vegetable and 

 flower seeds planters are becoming more and more critical. The}' are realizing as never before the extent to which their , 

 success depends upon the quality of the seeds they use. We need, therefore, to give even our former patrons a statement of ^ 

 the improvements in our facilities for growing and handling seeds, and to assure them that we do not rest upon what we 

 have accomplished. We are constantly' making successful efforts to further improve the varieties, the quality, and the 

 purity of the seeds we offer. 



First, how are our seeds grown? Just outside of Detroit are 



Our Greenfield Seed Farms. 



They extend one and one-quarter miles on Grand River Avenue in one direction, and one mile to the Joy Road in another. 

 The tract is nearly level and mainly of a rich, sandy loam, but portions are heavier, becoming in some places a stiff clay. 

 The whole is thoroughly tile drained, and we are enabled to work it when it is impossible to go into adjoining undrained 

 fields. These farmsare stocked with an abundance of tools especially fitted for use in seed growing. They are also provided 

 with large and finely arranged buildings for drying and curing seeds, and with sheds for composting and storing fertilizers. 

 Of the latter we annuall}' use 4.000 two-horse loads of stable manure, or its equivalent in blood, meat and bone from the 

 Detroit packing houses, besides large quantities of lime, potash, etc. On these farms 7,000 to 8.000 days' labor are expended 

 yearly, and they are under the management of one of the most experienced and successful seed growers in America. Our 





m >mmS^m^^! c W : . : - 



A Warehouse at D. M Ferry & Cos Greenfield Seed Farms. 

 farms at Greenfield are chiefly devoted to producing the seeds of such vegetables as Onion, Beet, Parsnip, etc., which require 

 two years to perfect seed. Some idea of their capacity may be gained from the fact that in a single season we have har- 

 vested 60 000 pounds of onion seed. 128,000 pounds of beet and 10.000 pounds of parsnip, besides smaller quantities of many 

 other sorts. An evidence of the quality of this product is the fact that the onions which are left after selecting our seed stock 

 are eagerly sought for by dealers at considerably more than the market price. 



Our Oakview Stock Seed Farm. 



This is a more recent purchase and contains over 2(30 acres within the corporate limits of the city of Pontiac. some 25 

 miles from Detroit. The surface is rolling and the soil chiefly an exceedingly rich and productive clay loam, although the 

 farm includes quite a number of acres of black muck and of warm, quick, sandy soil. After examining a great many farms 

 this one was selected as being particularly well adapted to the purpose for which we designed it. namely the production of 

 stock seeds or seeds from which the seeds we offer are grown. Here there is the same judicious management, thorough 

 culture and liberal use of manure as at Greenfield, and equally good crops are the result, but quantity of product is not con- 

 sidered at all. Our sole object at Oakview is to secure seed of the best possible type, regardless of quantity or cost. In 

 pursuit of this object the fields are gone over frequently and only perfect plants allowed tostand, all others being removed. 

 until at harvest time frequently not a tenth of the plants which at first made up a full stand are left. \t this farm we pay 

 ? P e £\ al attention to Beans Corn Tomatoes. Cucumber and Squash. So high is our standard, and so rigorous the rejecl ion of 

 off plants, that often the seed harvested costs many times more than we ask customers for good seed of the same variety. 



Contracts with Growers. 



Having in the abovemanner secured select stock seeds, and knowing by extensive observation and experience the best 



ariety, we make CONTRACTS with EXPERIENCED AND RELIABLE GROWERS 



locality in America or Europe for producing each 



for crops to be grown from stock se>-ds which we furnish them 



vision, 15.000 acres are planted for us in seed crops each year. 



farm seeds. By visits for inspection and careful directions we are able to maintain in such seedsthe sanie excelTeuce'th 



we would secure were they grown on our own farms ^ *** ~«*«*« ~* •■*.: i. . 



In this way and under our own general direction and super- 



. exclusive of Grass, Clover, Fodder Corn and other similar 



are able to maintain in su 



To be certain of this we make use of 



