Becker Vs Superior Vegetable Seeds for 

 Home and Market-Gardens 



SEEDS OF SUPERIOR QUALITY AND STRONG VITALITY 



Our Vegetable Seed Department embraces nearly all varieties that are desirable or of known value, together with the more important 

 of recent introductions. The list has been carefully selected, and the descriptions given arc chiefly derived from our own experience and 

 obs< r\ation. We have endeavored to make them as accurate and helpful as possible, to aid the purchaser in making selections. 



SEEDS BY MAIL. 



We pay postage on seeds in packets, ounces and quarter-pounds, 

 mittance postage according to your zone rate. 



For larger quantities, add to your re- 



PARCEL-POST RATES 



Parcels of seeds and bulbs weighing 8 ounces or less must pay postage to all zones at the 

 rate of 1 cent for each 2 ounces. In excess of 8 ounces at pound rates. 



Parcels of general merchandise weighing 4 ounces or less must pay postage to all zones 

 at the rate of 1 cent per ounce. In excess of 4 ounces at pound rates. 



We deliver postpaid, at catalogue prices, all seeds in packets, ounces, and quarter-pounds. 



First pound Each additional Limit ot 

 or fraction pound or fraction weight 



Local rate. Pittsburgh and R.F.D. Routes Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 $0 05 $0 00^ 50 lbs. 



1st zone. Within 50 miles of Pittsburgh 05 01 50 lbs. 



2d zone. Over 50 and under 150 miles from Pittsburgh 05 01 50 lbs. 



3d zone. Over 1 50 " " 300 " " " 06 02 20 lbs. 



4th zone. Over 300 " " 600 " " " 07 04 20 lbs. 



5th zone. Over 600 " " 1000 " " " 08 06 20 lbs. 



6th zone. Over 1000 " 1400 " " *' 09 08 20 lbs. 



7th zone. Over 1400 " " 1800 " " " 11 10 20 lbs. 



8th zone. Over 1800 " " " 12 12 20 lbs. 



All goods by parcel post are sent at purchaser's risk, unless insured. Insurance is 5 cts. 

 for $25 or less; 10 cts. for $25 to $50. This insures delivery only, but not damage to package. 



SEED CROPS, 1917 



The season just past has been the most disastrous ever known for the production of 

 vegetable seeds, both at home and abroad. Crops of many leading varieties have been largely 

 a failure, in consequence of which there will be a shortage of choice seed of many sorts, and 

 of necessity prices will rule much higher than under normal conditions. 



ARTICHOKE wwrn 



Sow early in spring and transplant the following spring to permanent beds in rows or 

 hills 3 feet apart. 



LARGE GREEN GLOBE. The best for general use. Flower-heads should be gathered 

 as fast as formed, when they are tender and of fine flavor. Pkt. 25 cts., oz. $1.50. 



Plants, in April, $1.75 per doz. 



JERUSALEM. Distinct from the above. Propagated from its tubers. Useful for the 

 table and for stock. Qt. 25 cts., pk. SI. 25, bus. $4. 



ASPARAGUS <e>ar B «i) 



A bed once properly made and planted will last for years. Plenty of fertilizer should be 

 well trenched in to a depth of 2 feet or more. The roots should be planted as early in the spring 

 as the ground can be prepared, setting them a foot apart in rows 2, 2J/£, or 3 feet apart, with 

 the crowns from 4 to 6 inches below the surface of the bed. Asparagus seed may be sown 

 directly in the permanent bed, and the plants thinned as they grow; or it may be sown else- 

 where, and the seedlings transplanted the second year. An ounce of seed will sow 50 feet of 

 drill and produce about 300 plants. Fair crops may be expected the third year from seed. 



GIANT ARGENT EUIL. A French variety of mammoth size. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 15 cts., 

 H\b. 35 cts., lb. $1. 



PALMETTO. Early; stalks fine in size and quality; regular in growth. Pkt. 5 cts., 

 oz. 10 cts., Mlb. 25 cts., Ib. 75 cts. 



COLOSSAL. A desirable variety and one much grown. Very large; deep green; stalks 

 tender and of good flavor. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., J^Ib. 20 cts., lb. 60 cts. 



COLUMBIAN MAMMOTH WHITE. Stalks pure white. Of extra-fine quality and 

 very tender, without a trace of stringiness; flavor is of the best. Pkt. 5 cts., oz. 10 cts., MH>. 

 25 cts., Ib. 75 cts. 



ASPARAGUS ROOTS. By planting Asparagus Roots instead of the seeds, much time 

 can be saved in getting the shoots ready for table or market. Plant in spring, as early as 

 possible. See Vegetable Plants, page 21. 



Giant Argenteuil Asparagus 



ASPARAGUS CULTURE, by F. 



M . 

 1 



H e x a m e r. 



60 cts., postpaid 



