40 



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



birds. It is often used as a salad plant like mustard. As a 

 forage plant, the yield is abundant, and fed green it is 

 nutritious, and nearly all animals are very fond of it. Sow 

 in May, either broadcast or in drills; if the former, ten 

 pounds, and if the latter, four pounds per acre. 



RHWBKRe. or Pie Plhnt. 



French, Rhubarbe. 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 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 ground 

 and manure it well; then trans- 

 plant 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 Linnaeus, 

 Giant, and other 

 improved sorts. 

 Like the seeds of 

 fruit trees, seed 

 cannot be relied 

 upon to repro- 

 duce the same 

 variety. 



"~t 5 



RICE, MILD. 



Zizania aquatica. 

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

 of September, lies 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 boat, 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 animalculas 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 

 two crops can be cut, and all cattle are very fond of it. 



SkLSIFY.OR ^E5GE3- 



thble 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 the depth of twelve or fourteen inches. 

 If it is necessary to use manure, it should 

 lie very fine and well rotted, for if it is 

 fresh and coarse, the roots will grow 

 irregular and ill shaped. Sow early and 

 quite 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 deteriorate rapidly after 

 growth commences. Store a quantity for 

 winter use in sand. 



LARGE WHITE.-The old sort; roots 

 medium size, smooth: flesh white. 



MAMMOTH SANDWICH IS- 

 LAND. — This is in every way superior 

 to the old sort, being larger, stronger 

 growing, and less liable to branch. In- 

 valuable to market gardeners. 



SPINHGE. 



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. 



Savoy Leaved. 



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 

 slight 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. Plant of up- 

 right growth with fine leaves, which are savoyed like those 

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

 soon runs 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, but stands the winter very 

 well. 



