i**%*9tt«e ■•••• 





N the following pages we have endeavored to list the cream of all varieties known in America 

 that are really worthy of cultivation, weeding out many varieties that are still catalogued by 

 other seedsmen, but which our extended trials and experience have proven to us are unworthy 

 of further cultivation. We take great pains each season to inform ourselves fully as to the 

 true character of everything offered as new or superior, either in this country or in Europe ; 

 QJ-M— and our customers may rest assured that, if they fail to find in our Manual any much lauded 

 variety, the probability is much greater that we have tested it and found it of little or no value, 

 than that it is unknown to us. It is our constant aim to gain and hold the confidence of all customers 

 and assure them from disappointment. Under this head we also illustrate and describe many of our 

 choice Specialties ; among them ■u-ill be found many valuable novelties recently introduced, to the 

 growing of which we have given special attention. The varieties which we have printed in CAPITALS 

 are highly recommended, many of them being improved sorts of great merit. 



LIBERAL PREMIUMS ON SEEDS IN PACKETS. ^ .:; j^tro^™ 



to get their neighbors and friends to club with them in sending their orders, we will allow each 

 purchaser of seeds in packets, to select 25 cents' worth extra for each $i.oo sent us. Thus, purchasers 

 remitting $1.00 may select seeds, In packets only, to the amount of $1.25; those remitting $2.00, to the 

 amount of $2.50; those remitting $3.00, to the amount of $3.75, and so on. In addition, every purchaser 

 of $2 00 and over, in one order, is entitled to select a book premium as offered on page 21. 



ASPARAGUS. 



Asparagus is one of the earlie.st spring vegetables, and 

 would be ill universal use were it not for the prevalent idea 

 that it is difficult to grow it. We think this is a mistake, and 

 that there is no vegetable on our list tliat can be produced so 

 cheaply and easily as this. Directions for planting and 

 culture Avill be found in our book of $100 Prize Essays, which 

 may be selected free as a premium •mth all orders of S2 and 

 mer from this catalogue. A bed 12 x 40 feet, requiring about 

 100 roots or plants, should give an abundant supply for an 

 ordinar.v family. One ounceseed will sow forty feet of row; 

 7,260 roots will plantan acre. 



DONALD'S ELMERA ASPAKAGUS. A magnificent 

 new asparagus now offered for the first time. See Novelties, 

 page 17. 



CONOATK'S COLOSSAX. A well-known, good 

 standard variety. .Seed: Pkt., 5c.; oz., lOc; H lb., 20c.; lb., 

 50c. Roots: 1 year old, 90c. per 100 (bv mail,po.st-paid,$l.l.T 

 per 100); S-1.50 per 1,000; 2 years old, $1.00 per 100; S.d.00 per 

 1,000, by express or freight. 



NEW PAEBIETTO ASPAKAGUS. Attention was 

 first called to this new asparagus by Mr. John Nix, a large 

 vegetable grower, of Soutli Carolina, where it is supposed to 

 have originated. It is now quite extensively grown by a few 

 Southern gardeners for New York and Philadelphiamarkels, 

 where it .veils at very high prices, owing to its mammoth 

 size, evenness and regularity in growth and appearance. 

 An average hunch of fifteen shoots will measure tliirteen to 

 fourteen inches in circumference. Porthe past four seasons 

 this.'isparagus has reached Northern markets ten days ahead 

 of all other varieties and sold at fabulous prices, even after 

 other varieties had come in. Although of Southern origin, 

 it is equally well adapted to both Noi'th and South. 



Price of seed: Pkt., Sc.; oz., lOc; 34 lb., 30c.; lb., $1.00. 

 Sp^endids/ro))^ j-oo(s; 81.50 per 100 (bv mail, $1.75 per 100); 

 $7.50 per 1,000. (.500 roots at 1 ,000 rate.) 



ASP.4JIAGUS CULTUEE— Best Methods. By Jas. 

 Barnes and "William Robinson. Price, 50c., or may be liad 

 free. See book premiums, preceding i)age. 



WH> 



BARK'S PHILADELPHIA 3IAMMOTH. Tliisgrand 

 variety originated some years ago with Crawford Barr, of 

 Montgomery County, Pa., a prominent market gardener. 

 Grown side by side with tlie Conover's Colossal, and subject 

 to the same treatment, it comes in earlier and prous more (lian 

 Uoiceas large. It is very productive, throwingupa great num- 

 ber of strong, well-developed shoots throughout the entire 

 season. It is tender to the stem and of delicious flavor, which, 

 together with the fact that it requires much less labor in cut- 

 ting and bunching, thus lessening the expense of marketing, 

 makesitthemostdesirableof any kind yetintroducedforthe 

 market gardener. It has attracted much attention in Phila- 

 delphiamarkels, where it is much sought after and sells at 

 double the price of any other sort. Price of «ecd.' Pkt., 5e.; 

 oz., l-5e.; Jilb. , 40e.; lb.,S1.2S. Price of rjood, strong roots: 1 

 year old, S1.25 per lOOfbv mail, S1.50 per 100); $6.00 per 1,000: 

 2 years old,s^l..iO per 100; $7.00 per 1,000. (•50arootsatl,000rate.) 



