40 
FAMOUS ROCK RIVER VALLEY SEED FARM^ 
Condon's Luscious Cantaloupes 
MUSKMELON 
Culture. — Muskmelons delight in moderately rich, 
light, warm, mellow loam. The seed should be 
planted in the spring upon the arrival of settled warm 
weather. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in hills, 4 to 6 
feet apart each way, and as soon as the plants begin 
to run, remove all but 4 of the most likely ones. 
Cultiva'te and keep free from weeds until the vines 
prevent. 
Two and one-half pounds of seed required per 
acre. 
DEFENDER 
This is one of the best yellow fleshed sorts and 
in some respects is far superior to any of this 
class. The fruit is medium sized, oval in shape, 
slightly ribbed, covered with gray netting. The 
flesh is firm, fine grained, rich, deep yellow, 
darker than that of the Osage and of higher 
flavor. The flesh extends to the rind and re- 
tains its color and quality quite to the outer 
shell, whicli, though thin, is very hard and firm, 
so that one can remove the edible portion with a 
spoon, leaving a rind no thicker than that of an 
orange. The vines are vigorous and very pro- -~- _ 
ductive. The fruit, because of the hard, firm 
rind, keeps and bears shipment remarkably well. 
This splendid variety was originated and intro- 
duced in 1901 and we have taken pride ir main- 
taining our stocks in the highest state of purity and ex- 
cellence. Packet, 4 cents; ounce, 8 cents; '/i pound, 22 
cents; 'A pound, 40 cents; pound, 75 cents. 
TIP-TOP 
ORANGE FLESH. This is a fine, nearly round In shape 
melon of such attractive appearance as to always sell 
quickly in the markets. It is sweet, juicy and delicious. 
The flesh is firm but not hard, and is edible almost to the 
rind. The melon is of medium to large size, evenly rib- 
bed and moderately netted; a strong grower, heavy yielder 
and of handsome appearance, and is one of the best of 
the orange fleshed sorts. Its appearance on the market 
stall is very attractive, sells on sight; customers soon 
learn to pick them out and will have no other variety. 
Particularly adapted to the West. Packet, 5 cents; ounce, 
10 cents; ^ pound, 30 cents; % pound, 50 cents; pound, 90 
cents. 
BURRELL GEM 
The New Roekyford Melon with Golden Meat. An ideal 
market melon, meat of a reddish orange, very thick, fine 
grained and spicy. Seed cavity small, average weight 2'/i 
pounds, length G inches, and the thickness Ayi inches; has 
a tough, thin rind, well arched, ribs covered with a closely 
laced and Interlaced gray netting. It has a delicious fla- 
vor, is diiterent from the others, has golden meat and lots 
of it. Has no equal in the melon line and is absolutely 
the finest grown. Packet, 3 cents; ounce, 6 cents; % 
pound, 18 cents; ]4 pound, 35 cents; pound, 60 cents. 
IMPROVED GREEN NUTMEG 
A greatly improved strain of the old Green Nutmeg. 
Fruit of a medium size, very rich, melting and of ex- 
quisite flavor: flesh light green. Very productive. The 
original variety was a standard sort for many years, and 
is one of the best main crop sorts. Packet, 3 cents; ounce, 
6 cents; 'A pound, 18 cents; 14 pound, 35 cents; pound, 60 
cents. 
BANANA MELON 
THOROBRED ROCKY FORD 
THOROBRED ROCKY FORD 
Tliere are many types and various titles to the "Rocky 
Ford." Prices vary as do the titles. We have the Old 
Reliable Genuine Tiiorobred Strain, distinctly ribbed, 
closely netted, uniform markings, solid ends to avoid 
cracking, and recommend it as the best all round green 
flesh Melon for market or home use. Our seed is grown 
especially for seed purposes, saved from only the most 
perfect fruit, consequently, cannot compete with so-called 
cheap seed sold at 40c per pound, which is saved from 
the culls after the cream of the crop has gone to market. 
We compete on quality with the entire world. You will 
find the best always cheaper at harvest. Order today 
please. Packet, 4 cents; ounce, 8 cents; ^ pound, 22 
cents; V2 pound, 40 cents; pound, 75 cents. 
IMPROVED EARLY HACKENSACK 
Ready for the market fully ten days ahead of the well 
known Hackensack, which it resembles in size, shape and 
quality, weighing from 5 to 12 pounds each. Very pro- 
ductive, averaging five to six melons on the vine, all of 
them deeply netted; flesh light green. Shape is round, 
flattened at the ends and ribs'are prominent. Quality fine 
and a splendid market melon, as it ships well. Packet, 4 
cents; ounce, 8 cents; % pound, 22 cents; ^ pound, 40 
cents; pound, 75 cents, 
OSAGE 
One of the best melons for family use and also greatly 
liked by gardeners. Flesh is salmon color, remarkably 
sweet and spicy in flavor, extremely thick and delicious to 
the rind. Seed cavity is very small. It Is seldom that one 
of poor quality is found. The whole crop is very even and 
extra heavy, owing to the thickness of the meat. It is of 
medium size, oval, slightly ribbed. Skin is thin, of dark 
green color and covered more or less with shallow netting. 
We have taken a great deal of pains to develop the thick, 
deep, rich colored and fine flavored flesh of this sort, and a 
careful comparison proves it to be unequaled. All lovers 
of fine melons should try the Osage. Packet, 5 cents: 
10 cents; 'A pound, 30 cents; 14 pound, 50 cents; pound, 90 
cents. 
BANANA 
This curious melon attains a length of 18 to 30 inches 
and a diameter of 4 to 6 Inches. The flesh is deep, and 
exquisitely flavored. It looks arid smells like a banana. It 
is not to be confounded with the less valuable melon 
known as Log of Wood. This sort Is not a mere curiosity, 
but is in such favor as to command good price in choice 
city markets. 50o and $1.00 being sometimes demanded 
for a single specimen. See cut. Packet, 4 cents; ounce, 
10 cents; % pound, 30 cents; 'A pound, 50 cents; pound, 
90 cents. 
