AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[January, 
Seeds for Tree Distribution to all Subscri- 
bers for 1863 (Vol. 22.) 
See General Remarks on Page 8, ajul the Descriptive 
Notes below. 
Ecery subscriber to the Agriculturist for 1888, is invited to 
select three or four parcels of seeds from the list below. 
These seeds lire all valuable. Of the 63 kinds offered, 
many are comparatively new varieties, but we iuclude some 
common, useful sorts for convenience of tliose without access 
to good seeds. 
Most of them are annuals (reproducing seed the first sea- 
son), and in all cases there will be enough to yield a supply 
of seed for future use. Our aim Is, to furnish the germs of fu- 
ture abuudance in each locality where these seeds go. 
Many of these seeds were grown by ourselves, the past 
year; the others are obtained of the best growers. The 
distribution will begin In February. A description is given 
In the next columns. 
Mode of Distribution.— The Beeds may be called 
forattheofflce, after March 1., or be applied for by mall at 
any time now, to be forwarded as soon as ready. The post- 
age is only 1 cent per ounce under 1500 miles ; 
and 3 cents per ounce when over 1500 miles. 
Those sending for seeds to be forwarded by mail, will 
please carefully observe the following 
DIRECTIONS— (1) Select from the list below, any three 
or four parcels desired, and write plain ly on a slip of paper the 
numbers (only) of the kinds of seeds wanted. (These num- 
bers are used on our seed drawers, seed bags, etc.) 
(£) Enclose the slip in a prepared envelope— directed in full 
to your oicn address (not John Smith's), and put on it post- 
age stamps to the amount of one cent for earn ounce 
of seeds to be enclosed, if to go — 
under 1500 miles, or two 
cents if to go over 1500 miles. 
(Most places west of the Mississippi 
river are over 1500 miles.) N.B.— The 
total amount of Btamps required can 
John Smith, 
Albia, 
MlonroeCountyA 
Iowa. ' 
be reckoned from the table of seed? | 
below. Any fraction over even L 
ounces will need an extra 1-c. or two 1-cent. stamps accord- 
ing to distance. Forward the above prepared envelopes to 
this office, in a letter, and the seeds will be enclosed accord- 
ing to the numbers on the slip. To save postage, let there 
lie no marks on the envelopes except the address and stamps. 
About 2 ounces will go in a common sized envelope. 
Field* and Vegetable Garden Seeds. 
No. Weight of package, 
191— Mammoth Millet About one-half ounce. 
lit— Darling's Early Sweet Corn About one ounce. 
186— St o well's Evergreen Sweet Corn.. . About one ounce. 
187 — Conn. Broad Leaf Tobacco. Less than one-eighth ounce. 
188— Genuine Havana Tobacco. Less than one-eightti ounce. 
8— Daniel OTiourke Pea About one ounce. 
9— Champion of England Pea About one ounce. 
U9 — Green Kohl llabi ,. About one-fourth ounce. 
145 — Flat Dutch (Winter) Cabbage. About one-fourth ounce. 
sj 18— Early Sugar Loaf Cabbage; ...About one-fourth ounce. 
199— Red Dutch Cabbage .About one-fourth ounce. 
04 — Extra early Round Turnip Radish ; one-fourth ounce. 
19— Ruund Spinach About one-half ounce. 
14-7— Neapolitan Cabbage Lettuce. .About one-fourth ounce. 
191— Improved Long Orange Carrot .About one-half ounce. 
149 — Extra early Bassano Beet About one-half ounce. 
95— Hubbard Saaash, pure. About one-fourth ounce. 
193— Fcjee & Italian Red Tomato. .About one-eighth ounce. 
154 — Ice Cream Water Melon About one-eiglith ounce. 
^17— Fine Nutmeg Melon About one-eighth ounce. 
194: — Hollow Crown Parsnip About one-fourth ounce. 
153— Fine Large Cheese Pumpkin About one-fourth ounce. 
17— Red Strap-Leaf Turnip About one-fourth ounce. 
195— Early Short Horn Carrot. ... .About one-fourth ounce. 
196— Green Curled Kale About one-fourth ounce. 
198— Improved Purple Egg Plant. ..About one-eighth ounce. 
197— Linnaeus Rhubarb About one-half ounce. 
Flower and Ornamental Seeds* 
89— Cotton Plant (2 kinds, mixed) One-half ounce. 
Ill— Castor Oil LJean .One-half ounce. 
On an average any five of the following varieties will go 
under one 1-cent /stamp, (or two stamp* if over 1500 miles.) 
200— Fancy Gourds, (mixed 
varieties) (ha) 
33— Mignonette, (ha) 
30-Tassel Flower, {ha) 
31— Chinese Pink, (ha) 
37— Beautiful Zinnias, (Mix- 
ed) (Art) 
49— Candytuft, (ha) 
51— Dinmmond's Phlox(Art) 
123— Gilia nivalis, (ha) 
124— Whitlavia, (ha) 
126— Long tubed Centran- 
thus, (Art) 
164— S\\»;etscented Agera- 
lum, (Art) 
169— Clarkia pulchella, (ha) 
173— Mixed Larkspur, (ha) 
177— Graceful Quaking 
Grass, (ha) 
1H3— Sweet Alvssum, (Art) 
183— Fine Mixed German 
Asters, (Art) 
203— Mixed G'n Poppy, (Art) 
204— Mixed Fr'h Poppy (ha) 
305— Double French Mari- 
306— Golden Straw Flower, 
(everlasting) (ha) 
310— Con volvulus minor, (Aa) 
312— Fine Sweet Peas, (Aa) 
219— Martvnia in oar. (ha) 
220— Peril fa Nan fclnenSiB(Aa) 
321— Striped Mirabilis (Aa). 
37— Cockscomb, (/a) 
323— Convolvulus variegata, 
(ta) 
316 — Acroclinium roseum, 
(A Aa) 
133— Mixed Canterbury 
Bells, (hb) 
170— Evening Primrose, (A6) 
43— Foxffcve, (Ah) 
309— Dw'fBlueLarkspnr.(Ap) 
223— Mourning Bride, (hp) 
•(Art,) hardy annual; (hha,) half hardy annual; (ta,) tender 
annual; ifthb.,) half hardy biennial; aft.) tender biennial; 
(hp,) hardy perennial; (hhp,) naif hardy perennial ; 
(tp,) tender perennial. 
Descriptive Notes. 
The notes below will afford some information upon the 
character and cultivation of the several plants, wherever 
,the seeds may be obtained, and they should be preserved 
for reference in the Spring planting season. More full 
directions for the culture of these and other plants will, 
of course, be given from time to time, in separate articles. 
The Calendar of Operations, from month to month, will 
also suggest the time of sowing or planting. Most of the 
field seeds are necessarily in too small quantities for a 
crop, but with a little care In culture each parcel will pro- 
duce a fair supply for a good-sized crop the next year. 
To avoid confusion, and save lime by system, we shall no£ 
begin the mailing until all seeds and parcels are ready, 
say the latter part of February, except those sent to very 
distant points. 
For brevity, the Numbers are always used in putting up 
and sending out seeds, and subscribers are particularly 
desired to note this in their application. To avoid confu- 
sion, we use anew number for each addition, dropping 
the numbers of any seeds previously offered, but not re- 
tained in this list. 
Field and Garden Seeds. 
No. 8.— Daniel O'Rourke Pea.— An early sort of fair 
quality, grows 2 feet high, and may be eaten in 40 or 45 
days from planting. Sow from first to last of April, ac* 
corcing to climate, or any time in May to multiply seed. 
No. 9. — Champion of England Pea. — A later, tall- 
growing variety. One of the very best; is our chief de- 
pendence for a table pea through the season. Sow as No. 
8, or at intervals until Juiy, if seed is plenty. 
No. 12.— Green Kohl Rabi, or Cabbage Turnip. — 
The eatable part resembles a turnip, and grows above 
ground. Plant early in May, the same as turnips, and 
for table use boil the bulbs only while still tender. 
This is largely used for catttle and sheep in England. 
No. 17.— Red Strap Leaf Turnip.— A very quick- 
growing variety of the flat Dutch sort, with a reddish or 
purple top. They are good for the table, while growing, 
and for stock during Autumn and early Winter. Sow in 
drills from the first of April to August. 
No. 19. —Round Spinach.— The best for Spring and 
Summer greens. Sow in good soil in drills 15 inches 
apart and thin to 8 inches in the rows. 
No. 64.— Early Turnip Radish.— A quick-growing 
round sort, crisp and sweet. Sow at any time after frost 
is out in early Spring, and at intervals until September. 
If the early sowings are allowed to go to seed, a second 
crop may be raised from this seed the same season. It 
always reproduces seed the first year. 
Ns. 95.— Hubbard Squash. — The best Winter Squash 
we have tried. Keeps until Spring. Plant middle of May. 
Color, light bluish green, hard shell, rich, dry flesh. It is 
good also for Autumn use, even when cooked green. 
No. 101. — Improved Orange Carrot. — A fine yellow 
variety, suitable for the table and for stock. Sow early 
in May, on deep, rich soil, in rows 15 to 18 inches apart. 
No. 141. — Darling's Early Sweet Corn. — We have 
tried many other sorts, but come back to this, as combin- 
ing sweetness and early maturity. It is quite small in 
stalk and ear, and may be planted in hills or drills 2 to 1% 
feet apart, unless other crops are put between the rows to 
occupy the ground after this is out of the way, which will 
be before mid-summer, if planted early. It may he 
planted all Summer for a succession. 
No. 145.— Flat Dutch Cabbage.— A Winter sort ex- 
tensively grown for market, frequently under the name 
of *' drumhead." The heads are large, and require to be 
2 feet apart, in 2,V feet rows. 
No. 147.— Neapolitan Cabbage Lettuce.— A large 
solid sort which has proved valuable. Sow at any time 
in April, May, or June, covering seed lightly. Leave best 
plants for seed, which is produced the same season. 
No. 149.— Early Bassano Beet.— Fine quick-growing, 
turnip-shaped for early use. Sow in drills 1 foot apart. 
No. 152.— Large Cheese Pumpkin.— One of the best 
for general culture. A large, flat, cream-colored variety, 
sweet, and good Keeper. Plant middle of May, allowing 
ample space for them to run. 
No, 154.— Ice Cream Water Melon.— One of the best 
sorts, sweet and tender. Plant in open ground about the 
middle of May ; can be started earlier in hot-bed. 
No. 186.— Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn. — A 
much larger variety and slower grower than No. 141, re- 
mains in the milk a long time, hence called evergreen. 
Good for later table use, and for fall drying. If to be ri- 
pened for seed, plant early ; for table use, from May 15 to 
June 20, hills or drills %% to 4 feet apart. 
No. 187.— Connecticut Seed-Leaf Tobacco.— One 
of the best for Northern culture. A thimble full of seed 
will furnish plants for an acre. Sow in a sheltered seed- 
bed about the middle of April, and plant out middle of 
June, on rich dry soil, 3 feet apart each way, or 3X feel 
by 2 feet, to facilitate working with a horse hoe. For after 
treatment, see last volume of Agriculturist. 
No. 188.— Havana Tobacco.— Treat as No. 187, save 
that it requires a little less room. 
No. 191.— Mammoth Millet.— An annual, very pro- 
ductive in seed and foliage. Cut green it makes good 
hay, or left to ripen, the straw is good, and the seed val- 
uable for slock and poultry. Sow thinly half an inch 
deep, at any time in May. 
No. 193. — Fejee, Called also Italian Tomato.— 
Large, smooth and solid, the best we have grown. Sow 
in hot-bed, April 1st, or 1st of May, in open ground. 
No. 194.— Hollow Crown Parsnip.— A large, sweet 
variety, with a depressed crown. Sow in deep, rich soil, 
early in May, in rows 18 inches apart, covering lightly. 
No. 195. — Early Short Horn Carrot. — A fine yellow 
variety for early table use. Sow in light soil, last of April 
or first ot May, in drills 1 foot apart, covering lightly. 
No. 196. — Green Curled Kale orBorecole. — A kind 
of cabbage which does not head. The whole top is boiled 
for greens, usually in Spring, as it bears standing out over 
Winter, with (and often without) a slight covering of 
straw or brush. Treat the same as late cabbages. 
No. 197.— Linnaeus Rhubarb.— Sow in deep mellow 
soil in April or May, covering % inch. Keep well hoed, 
and transplant the following Spring when a few stems 
may be pulled for cooking. A. full crop can not be had 
until the 3d year, on which account it is better to purchase 
and plant roots, when they can be had. It furnishes a 
fine material for early sauce and pies, and should be in 
every garden. We have a fine lot of pure seed, as noted 
last month. In a few instances last year's seed sent out 
by us, appears to have produced new varieties that may 
prove even an improvement upon the original good va- 
riety itself. 
No. 19?. — Purple Egg Plant.— Sow in a hot-bed, early 
in April, and plant out 18 inches apart, the middleof May, 
or after all danger of frost is over. It is still better, sown 
in, or transplanted into small pots, keeping them under 
glass until June, when they may be transferred to the soil, 
without disturbing the roots. 
No. 199.— Red Dutch Cabbage.— Highly valued for 
pickling and for " cold slaw." Heads small, sugar loaf 
form, and solid. Set plants 15 to 18 inches apart each 
way. Its color is fancied by most persons. 
No. 217.— Fine Nutmeg Melon.— One of the best sorts. 
May be planted in the ground after the soil becomes 
warm, but may be obtained much earlier if the seeds are 
started in a hot-bed upon pieces of sods, and these plant- 
ed out in well manured hills 6 or 8 feet apart. 
No. 21S.— Early Sugar Loaf Cabbage.— We have 
found this to be one of the best early varieties ; it 
forms a good sized head of excellent quality. Start in 
a hot bed for the earliest and in the open ground for 
succession. 
Flower and Ornamental Seeds. 
No. 23. — Mignonette (Reseda odorata) — An annual in 
this climate. The flowers not conspicuous but yield a 
rich odor. Its habit is low, branching upon the ground ; 
flowers profusely from midsummer until frost; sow in 
pots for winter blooming. A great favorite. Sow as 
early as the ground can be worked— the seed is long in 
coming up. 
No. 27.— Cockscomb (Celosia cristata.)— A very curious 
and common annual, native of the East Indies. Flowers 
in fantastic, irregular spikes, inclining to the fan-shape, 
like the comb of the cock, and of the richest crimson col- 
or. Sow in rich soil, early, and thin to 18 inches apart. 
No. 30. — Tassel Flower (Cacalia coccinea). — Called 
also " Venus' Paint Brush." A delicately beautiful an- 
nual, growing 1 to 2 feet high, and blossoms freely. The 
scarlet flowers are perfect little tassels, very bright and 
pretty. Sow in May, thin out or transplant to 6 or 10 inches. 
No. 31.— Chinese Pink (Diahthus St7iensis).—X very 
pretty little annual of this fine class, most of which are 
perennials. It is not flagrant like the Sweet William, nor 
does it grow in clusters. Color varies from maroon and 
crimson with pink edging, to white with a red renter. 
They flower for many weeks in succession; desirable in 
every flower plot. Sow in early Spring. The roots fre- 
quently survive the Winter. 
No. 37.— Zinnias, (mixed) (Zinnia elcgans),— This 
beautiful Mexican plant is a brilliant addition to the flow- 
er garden. It is tall, elegant and showy, with flowers of 
many colors, purple, crimson, orange, scarlet, violet and 
white. Sow middle of May, keep plants 18 inches apart. 
No. 42. — Foxglove (Digitalis alba, purpurea, etc). — A 
perennial, blooming the secon,d year from seed. The 
flowers are very pretty, often beautifully mottled with 
purple and brown spots. It blooms upon a spike a to 4 
feet high, beginning at the bottom, and continues for sev- 
eral weeks. The medicine digitalis is the leaf of this 
plant. Sow in early Spring, The roots often die out af- 
ter flowering a year or two. 
No. 49.— Candytuft (Iberis umbcllata, and amara).— 
Suitable for massing or for borders. An annual with 
