8 D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
ARTIGHOKG 2 
Artichoke, the 
large flower buds 
of which are so 
highly esteemed by epicures, and is very different from the plant cultivated for 
its fleshy roots or tubers. 
CuLTURE.—Sow in hot-beds and transplant so as to give plenty 
of room until danger of frost is over, and then set in very rich 
ground in rows four feet apart and two feet apart in the rows. 
The plants can be raised in seed beds out of doors, but in that 
case will not be likely to produce heads the first year. The 
edible portion is the undeveloped flower heads, which will be pro- 
duced about September ist, and until frost. Late in the fall cut 
off the old tops and protect the crowns with leaves or straw, to 
prevent severe freezing. The second year they will commence to 
form heads about July ist. The plants may also be blanched like 
Cardoons, which is accomplished by cutting back the growing 
stems in July close to the ground, when the young and rapidly 
growing shoots which start up after cutting, may be tied and 
blanched like Celery. As Artichoke plants do not yield satisfac- 
torily after three or four years, it is best to start a new plantation 
once in three years at least. 
LARGE GLOBE.—The best sort for general use. Buds large, 
nearly round; scales deep green, shading to purple, very thick 
and fleshy. 
Price, Pkt. 5c.; Oz. 45c.; 2 Oz. 85c.; 14 Lb. $1.50; Lb. $4.50. 
ARTICHOKE. 
ASPARAGUS 
CuLTURE.—Beds are usually formed by setting plants one in a 
or two years old, which can be procured of us, but if you following the directions given here. 
Asparagus is one of the earliest spring vegetables, 
and would be in universal use were it not for the preva- 
lent idea that it is difficult to grow. We think this 
is a mistake, and that there is no vegetable on our list 
that can be produced as cheaply and easily. It delights 
moist, sandy soil, but can be grown in any garden by 
A bed 15x50 feet, 
wish to grow them yourself, prepare a light, rich spot as early requiring about 100 plants, should give an abundant supply 
as possible in the spring. 
allow it to stand until cool, then sow in 
drills one foot apart and two inches gp 
deep. When the plants are well up, Avil 
thin to about one inch apart, and give fpr 
frequent and thorough cultivation A Se 
during the summer. this has been 
well done, the plants will be fit to set 
the next spring. The permanent beds 
should be prepared by deep plowing 
or spading and thoroughly enriching 
the ground with stable manure or other 
fertilizers. If the subsoil is not natu- 
rally loose and friable, it should be 
made so by thoroughly stirring with a 
subsoil plow or the spade. Set the 
plants about four inches deep and two 
feet apart in rows four to six feet apart. 
After the plants are well started give 
frequent and thorough cultivation. 
Early the next spring spade in a heavy 
dressing of manure, and one quart of #// 
salt to each square rod and cultivate ¢ 
well as long as the size of the plants — 
will permit or until they begin to die 
down. The next season the bed may 
be cut over two or three times, but 
if this is done, all the shoots, no matter 
how small, should be cut, and after the 
final cutting, give a good dressing of 
manure, ashes and salt, and frequent 
cultivation, till the plants meet in the 
rows. In autumn after the tops are 
fully ripe and yellow they should be cut 
and burned. The next season the bed 
should give a full crop, and if well cul- 
tivated and manured will continue to 
do so for several years. 
CONOVER’S COLOSSAL. 
A mammoth green sort of the largest 
size and of good quality. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 
10c.; 2 Oz. 15¢.; 14 Lb. 20c.; Lb. 50c. 
Two year old roots 90 cents per 100 
postpaid, 50 cents per 100 by express 
not prepaid. 
BEAN GULTURE. 
No crop responds more readily to good soil and _cul- 
tivation than this. The soil best adapted to them is a light, 
rich, well drained loam, which was manured for the previous 
crop. If too rank manure is used it is apt to make them grow 
too much to vine. Beans are extremely sensitive to both cold 
and wet, and it is useless to plant them before the ground has 
become dry and warm. The largest return will result from 
planting in drills about three feet apart and leaving two to 
six plants to the foot of row. Up to the time of blossoming 
COLUMBIAN MAMMOTH WHITE 
ASPARAGUS. 
Pour hot water on the seed and for an ordinary family. 
>>. OLUMBIAN .... 
Mammoth White. 
This most distinct and valuable 
Asparagus was introduced by us in 
1893, and is the result of patient work 
and careful selection by the originator, 
extending over eight generations from 
the original plant. The immense 
shoots are clear white, and in favor- 
able weather remain so until three or 
four inches above the surface. The 
crown or bud of the young stalk is 
considerably smaller than the part 
just below it, thus further distinguish- 
ing the variety. 
Che Largest, Handsomest, 
and Best Asparagus in 
Existence. 
Requires no Earthing Up to-furnish 
the white shoots which are so much 
sought after. All but a very few of 
the seedlings will produce clear white 
shoots, and the green ones can be 
readily distinguished and _ rejected 
when setting the permanent bed. 
No Other Asparagus Compares with 
this for Canning, or for 
Market Gardeners. 
Pkt. 5cts.; Oz. 10cts.; 2 Oz. 15cts.; 
% Lb. 25cts.; 1 Lb. 8Octs. 
Large two year old roots by express, 
not prepaid, 80 cents per 100. Strong 
roots by mail, postpaid, $1.25 per 100. 
they should have frequent shallow cultivation, but any cutting 
of the roots after the plants come into bloom is liable to cause 
the blossoms to blast and so cut off the crop. Remember that 
beans should always be cultivated very shallow, and that it is 
useless to expect a crop from a field so poorly prepared as to 
need deep stirring after planting. 
From one pint to two quarts will be sufficient to furnish 
a supply for an ordinary family, and varieties should be 
selected so as to give a succession both of string and green 
shelled beans. The wax podded beans are particularly liable 
to run off into green podded plants, and it requires constant 
attention and skillful selection to keep them pure, so that it is 
especially important to buy only from reliable seedsmen. 
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