28 



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



leaves, which are of a beautiful yellow color, and very sweet 

 and tender. The plants are vigorous, but do not run to seed 

 until very late, remaining in condition for use the longest 

 of any variety we have tested. 



DEACON.— We think that gardeners make a mistake in 

 growing too exclusively the large, thin leaved lettuces of the 

 Simpson type, as the thick leaved heading sorts, when well 



frown are very much superior in flavor. This is one of the 

 est heading lettuces, forming a large, dense head, well 

 blanched to a rich yellow color, and very thick and fine 

 flavored. We are sure that, when once known, this will be 

 one of the most popular varieties in cultivation. 



Deacon. 



LARGE DRUMHEAD, OR VICTORIA CABBAGE. 



— The largest of the heading lettuces. Plant very large, 

 forming an immense, loose head, bright green without and 

 light green or white within. Leaves very large, strongly 

 veined, coarse; but the inner ones are very crisp and tender. 



BROWN DUTCH.— An old sort, noted for its hardiness. 

 Leaves large, thick, green, tinged with brown. It always 

 forms a large, solid head, which is somewhat coarse looking, 

 but the inner leaves are beautifully blanched, exceedingly 

 sweet, tender and well flavored. Desirable because of its 

 hardiness and fine quality. 



EAKLT BOSTON CURLED.— One of the most beauti- 

 ful varieties in cultivation. Plant medium in size, deep, rich 

 green in color, with many broad leaves which are so deeply 

 frilled that the plant looks like a bunch of moss. When 

 young the leaves are of good quality, but they soon become 

 bitter and the plant quickly runs to seed. 



GREEN FRINGED.— An exceedingly ornamental vari- 

 ety. The inside of the leaves is white, the edges a delicate 

 green and beautifully fringed and crimped, making this the 

 most beautiful variety on our list, and well worthy of culti- 

 vation for table decoration, although the quality is not the 

 very best. 



The Cos lettuces are distinct from the preceding sorts, in 

 having long, narrow, spoon shaped leaves, which usually 

 fold into loose sugar loaf shaped heads, which blanch better 

 by having the outer leaves drawn about them and tied. 

 They are justly celebrated throughout Europe on account of 

 their exceeding crispness, tenderness and delicate flavor, 

 and are becoming more and more popular in this country as 

 they become better known. 



EARLY WHITE SELF-FOLDING COS.— A new 

 and distinct Cos lettuce which does not need tying up. The 

 leaves are yellowish-white in color, long, narrow, upright, 

 folding into a solid head like that of an Early York cabbage. 

 This is a truly self -blanching lettuce; is very crisp and 

 tender, and of superior flavor. 



MHRTYNIH, 



A strong growing, hardy, annual plant, with curious 

 shaped seed pods, which, when young and tender, are highly 

 prized for pickling. The pods are produced in great abund- 

 ance, and should be gathered when about half grown; after 

 the hardening of the flesh they are worthless. 



PROBOSCIDEA.— The common variety. Sow in rich, 

 warm soil after corn is well up, in drills three feet apart, and 

 thin the plants out to two feet in the row. 



French, Melon. German, Zucker-Melone. 



The Musk Melon is too universally popular to need any 

 special description. 



Culture.— Cultivate as recommended for cucumbers, ex- 

 cept that the hills should be six feet apart, but avoid planting 

 near those plants, as they will mix with and injure the 

 quality of the melons; this and heavy rains at the time of 

 ripening will destroy the flavor of the finest stock. Rich 

 earth for the young plants is far better than manure, but if 

 the latter must be used, see that it is well rotted. If the 

 plants grow very rank, more and finer fruit will be secured 

 by pinching off the ends of the shoots when about three 

 feet long. 



JENNY LIND.— The earliest green fleshed melon, and 

 we think the sweet- 

 est variety in culti- 

 vation. Quite small, 

 round, much flat- 

 tened at the ends, 

 ribbed, finely netted. 

 Flesh green and very 

 sweet, but not high 

 flavored. 



SKILLMAN'S 



FINE NETTED 



A very early melon 

 of small size, varying 

 in shape from almost 

 oval to a flattened 

 globe. Skin green 

 until the fruit is over 

 ripe, when it be- 

 comes yellow, covered with fine netting. Flesh light green, 

 very thick, sweet and of moderately high flavor. 



SMALL GREEN NUTMEG.— Fruit of medium size, 

 slightly ribbed, globular. Skin dark green, becoming yellow 

 when over ripe, and nearly covered with broad, shallow 

 netting. Flesh green, very thick, a little coarse, but of fine 

 flavor. 



BALTIMORE, OR ACME.— Fruit medium in size, 

 oval, drawn to a point at stem, and slightly ribbed, covered 

 when ripe with coarse netting. Flesh thick, green, very fine 

 flavored and sweet. We think this one of the most uni- 

 formly good melons we have on our list— indeed, we have 

 never seen a poor flavored melon of this variety. 



EARLY WHITE JA- 

 PAN.— An old variety, but of 

 very fine quality. Fruit oval, 

 white, with green flesh. One 

 of the best for the home 

 garden. 



Small Green Nutmeg. 



Wh ite Japan. 



IMPROVED GREEN FLESHED CANTALOUPE. - 



Fruit above medium size, oval, moderately ribbed, skin very 

 dark green, partially covered with coarse netting. Flesh 

 very thick, sweet, and of fine quality. 



IMPROVED LARGE GREEN NUTMEG.— We think 

 we have by careful selection and growing, secured in this a 

 variety of the largest size, but having all the good qualities 

 of the old Green Nutmeg. We consider this the best variety 

 in cultivation for family use. Vines vigorous, hardy, pro- 

 ductive; fruit very large, round, slightly flattened at both 

 ends, ribbed, covered with coarse netting; flesh very thick, 

 green, and of the highest flavor. 



I M PROVED 



