I 860 .] 
14,7 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
BAMSDELL’S NORWAY OATS. 
The accompanying illustration represents a single head of the Norway Oats, reduced in size by photography. 
Size 26 Inches in Length). 
CAUTION. 
We have evidence that several hundred bushels of seed have been 
sold, under our name, which is an entirely different and inferior grain. 
Our full printed history is sent free to all, and gives a lull exposition 
of the swindles that are being practiced on fanners in the sale of 
6ecd oats. The Norway Oats are neither white nor black, but gray. 
WHAT TIE PEOPLE SAY. 
Noktii Randolph, Vt., Jan. 23,1869. 
D. W. I’amsdbll.— Dear Sir: So much is being said about your 
Norway Oats, that I deem it my duty to give my experience. In the 
spring of'63 I procured one bushel of your seed. I had a piece of . v i 
ground measuring three acres, all of which was manured exactly \ Y VY\ \ -i ety. - 
alike, and from this piece 1 measured one acre and sowed the bushel 
of Norway Oats; on the other two acres I sowed six bushels of 
selected seed from my common oats. I harvested three bushels more 
of the Norways, from the one acre, than I did of the common oats 
from the two. This I consider as fair a test as could bo made, and as to 
my reliability if ar.-y farmer desires it, I will refer him to some of the 
best men in my State. You have been unjustly slandered by some of 
the would-be-wise men of this country, as the above statement fully 
proves, and von are at liberty to publish this if you deem it of any 
use to yourself and the farming communitv. Respectfully yours, 
AVERY HIXON. 
In March, 1SGT, I bought one pint of Norway Oats of P. IV. Itams- 
dell. I had no confidence that they would prove much if any better 
than the other lands, and put them in carelessly, wasting some and 
sowing too thick. I had a yield of a little less than half a bushel. 
The past season I planted one pint by themselves and harvested 5H 
bushels; the balance of the half bushel I sowed broadcast and from 
It harvested CO bushels, making 6:»M bushels in all from a little less 
than half a bushel of seed, and we considered the crop inferior on 
account of the drouth. I intend to sow all I have another year. X 
have not heard of any one else in this part of the country having 
grown them, but lny.experience convinces me that they are the oat 
for our South-western soil, and I believe in a few years they will be¬ 
come the standard, taking the place of all others. S. A. JOSLYN. 
Pleasant Mount, Mo. 
(Natukal 
/ 
Hartford, Vt, Feb. 17,1869. 
Ed. Tribune: Having seen several articles in yours ancl in other 
papers concerning Norway Oats, I thought it proper to give my own 
experience. 
At the first introduction of this seed I will acknowledge that I cried 
“Humbug” as much as any of n>y neighbors, but was induced to try 
a few quarts, and was satisfied before the grain was half matured 
that I had made no bad investment. The seeds, after germinating, 
commenced to throw out almost numberless little shoots, which 
rapidly developed into good healthy seed stalks, bearing from 300 to 
400 full kernels on each head, which grow from 12 to 16 inches In 
length, iny yield being very satisfactory, and giving me more than 
100-fold. Since, upon a larger scale, and with tests with Surprise, 
"White Swedish and Poland oats, the Norway have yielded two bush¬ 
els where either of the other 6orts yielded one. Their average yield 
upon one acre of good ground, with one bushel of seed, is from 85 to 
100, and even 125 bushels to an acre. I do not hesitate to recommend 
them to the most doubtful of farmers, and all I am sorry for is that I 
did not invest larger at lirst. . LUTHER PEASE. 
From Adam Rankin, Proprietor of the Premium Farm of Monmouth 
Co., Monmouth, 111. 
I ha\ e not measured the ground yet that I sowed the Norway Oats 
on, but there is about one acre. I sowed them in March, when the 
ground was in fine order; but Just after sowing there came a very 
hard rain and washed them out some, and I did not think they would 
be thick enough; but after they got well started they beat anything, 
growing and spreading, that I ever saw. They are thicker and larger 
than the Surprise Oats. What you sent me (IK bushel) covers the 
ground better than 2K bushels of the Surprise Oats. They are the 
darkest colored of any oats I ever saw, and promise well now for a 
most wonderful yield. 
n 
v 
From Gen. Stephen Thomas, Lieut.-Gov. of Vermont, Aug. 18, 1868. 
I have seen t lie Norway Oats, raised by 1). IV. Ramsdell, growing 
in Acids in this section for the past three years, and I consider them 
far superior to any other oats m the country for their great yield pen- 
acre and excellent quality. The straw grows very strong and they 
are not so liable to lodge as the other kinds. 
From the Hon. Orange Comstock, "WeSt Farlee, Vt., Aug. 17, 1868. 
I have this day examined some Norway Oats, grown by B. H. 
Robinson of this place. I have lived to see 7T years, and can truly 
say I never saw such a splendid specimen of oats before. The 
heads are from 11 to IS inches long, tho meat very large and floury. 
Mr. Ramsdell has my best wishes for his success" in an enterprise of 
great value to our farmers. 
j From H. H. Brown, Light-st., Pa., Sept. 3, 1868. 
I am pleased to write to you, and say I am entirely pleased with 
tho Oat I received from you last spring. It yielded at the rate of 68 
bushels to the acre; stood up flue with heavy straw. Our common 
oats on same ground yielded this season from 20 to 80 bushels per 
acre, weight from 20 to 28 pounds, while Norways weighed 32 pounds. 
People laughed at mo last spring for paying such a price for oats, hut 
now the laugh is on the other side of the lace. What price do you 
nut on the seed this year? I want 10 bushels more. Please answer 
before it is too late for me to secure it. We have had the poorest and 
dryest season for oats that I have ever known. Send a few of your 
circulars, and oblige. 
From W. E. Ingersoll, River du Loupe, Canada. 
When I received those Oats last Spring thev looked so much like 
our common black oats that I thought Iliad "been humbugged into 
paying at the rate of $64 per bushel for the same oat I had been raising 
for years. However, I put them in the ground, and have astonished 
our people with the result. They grow quite different, and yield ful¬ 
ly twice ns much, and of better quality. They are very peculiar in 
looks when growing, and people who saw them often asked what 1 
had growing, and doubted iny word when I told them bats. Please 
send your price list. I want more, and several others would buy. 
"VVe will all club together, and send as soon as I hear from you. 
The above are selected from over 1,000 similar letters which have 
reached us. It requires but 1 bushel of seed for an acre, and the 
yield is more than double that of any other variety. The demand for 
this seed will he large next year, and those who grow it will find a 
ready sale at a high rate. 
All orders must he accompanied with the money, as no more C. O. 
D. orders will be sent out tills season. For the present we will till 
orders at following rates. Per bushel, $10. Half bushel, $6. Jk bushel, 
$1. Sold by the standard of 32 lbs. to the bushel. Small packages by 
mail, post-paid, $1.23 the pound. We furnish hags and cartage free, 
but do not pay express or freight charges. Money may be sent by 
Draft, P. U. Order, or registered letters, at our risk. Address 
& CLARK, 
S».0. Box, 5,080. 3© liberty St., N.Y. 
Only Agents in tlio U. S. or Canada. 
AU1ATIJM. 
BTcw GJ-oIeSc]!!!. MayedL ]LIly* 
A large consignment, direct from Japan, just received by 
the subscribers, and will be mailed post-paid, to any address, 
upon receipt of prices annexed: 
Strong, Flowering Bulbs, §1.50 each: $12.00 per dozen. 
Second size, do. do. 1.00 do. 9.00 do. do. 
Third size, do. 75 do. G.00 do. do. 
The trade supplied upon the mostTibcral terms. 
Address B. k. BLISS & Son, 1\ O. Box 5,712, New York. 
4J©l!ecii©ns of Kitchen Garden Seeds. 
A COUPLDTE ASSORTMENT OF VEGETABLE SEEDS Foil ONII 
year's supply, foe a laiege oe small garden. 
The following Collections are made up in the most liberal 
manner, care being taken to give a sulllcient quantify of all 
flic llnest varieties and most useful sorts ot' Vegetables re¬ 
quired in the Kitchen Garden. 
Assortment No. 3 contains 55 varieties, $3.50 
No. G contains S3 varieties, 2.1)0 
“ No. 7 contains 13 varieties, i.oo 
The above are prepared expressly for sending by mail, and 
will he sent post-paid, upon receipt of prices annexed. 
Larger Collections, which can be safelv sent by express 
(freight paid by purchaser,) to any part of the country, as 
follows: 
No. 1. $20.00; No. 2, $13.00; No. S, $10.00; No. 4, $5.00. 
For a list of the contents of each Collection, see Catalogue, 
pages 102 and 103. Address 
15. K. BLISS & SON. Box 5,712, 
41 Park Row & 131 Nassau-st., New York. 
Collections of Flower Seeds by Mail, 
The following collections have been sent out from our 
establishment tor the past 13 years, and are now favorablv 
known in every section of the country. They contain tho 
most showy varieties in our large assortment, with full di¬ 
rections for culture. Kacb packet contains a mixture of tho 
different colors and varieties of its species, so that a greater 
display can be made at a much less price than when ordered 
in separate packets. Those unacquainted with Flowers, as 
well as the experienced cultivator, may order without fear 
of disappointment. 
No. 1—contains twenty choice varieties of Annuals.. ..$1.00 
No. 2—contains twenty choice varieties of Biennials 
and Perennials. i.oo 
No. 3— contains ten extra varieties of Annuals and Per¬ 
ennials, embracing many of the new and choicest 
in cultivation. 1.00 
No. 4—contains live very choice varieties, selected from 
Prize Floxeers, of Knglish Pansies, German. Car¬ 
nation and Picotee Pinks. Verbenas, Truffaut's 
French Asters. Double Hollyhocks. 1.00 
Any one remitting $3.00 will receive the four assortments, 
! postage free. 
Tile seeds contained in the. above assortments are of our 
I own selection. Purchasers who prefer to make their eclec- 
! lion from the Catalogue will lie entitled to a discount pro¬ 
portionate to tlie quantity ordered. 
B. K. BLISS & SON, Box 5,712. 
41 Park How & 151 Nassau-st., New York. 
AE.SIKE C^OVErT” 
Mailed post-paid to any address at 75c. per pound. Prices 
for larger quantities will be given upon application. 
B. K. BLISS & SON, 41 Park Row, New York. 
@€> 
■ACUEMES 
OF CHOICE 
SEED POTATOES. 
Over 200 kinds tested. Every desirable variety for sale. 
Send a two cent stamp for Illustrated Priced Cata¬ 
logue before purchasing elsewhere. Early Rose 75 cts. per 
Gleason, Harison, Orono, Shaker's Fancy, and New "White 
Peachblow, at 75 cents per peck, $2 per bushel, $5 per bbl. 
-Also, Cascoe, Early Shaw, Forfarshire Red, Lapstone 
Kidney, Patterson Blue and Titicaca at $1 per peck, $2.50 
per bu., $0 per bbl.-Also Early Goodrich, and many 
other kinds at 60 cts. per peck, $1.50 per bu., $3.50 per bbl. 
THE BEST VEGETABLE SEEDS 
Sent by mail post-paid at the prices given, and warranted to 
reach the purchaser. Conover’s Colossal Asparagus 50 cts. 
per packet; Bean, Giant Wax 25 cts., Fejee 15; Beet, Si¬ 
mon’s Earlv 15, Yellow Ovoid Mangel Wurzel 15: Cabbage, 
Improved Early York 10,Marblehead Mammoth 25. Fottler’s 
Improved Brunswick 25, Stone Mason 10, Early Winnig- 
stacltlO; Chicory 10; Sweet Corn, Extra Earlv Minne¬ 
sota 25, Russell’s Improved 25, Red 25, Crosby’s Early 55, 
Mexican 15, Mammoth 15, Farmer’s Club 50. Cucumber, 
Early Russian 10; Egg Plant, New Black Pekin 25. Let¬ 
tuce, Neapolitan 15, Turkish Head 10, Perpignan 10; Water 
Melon, Phinney’s Early 15, Improved Mountain Sweet 10, 
Apple Pie, 15; Musk Melon, Early White Japan 15, Christi¬ 
ana, 10, Mammoth Minorca, 25: Parsnip, Student, 10: Peas, 
Drew’s New Dwarf, 15, McLean’s Little Gem 15, Tom Thumb 
10, Laxton’s Prolific Long Pod 25; Radish, French Break¬ 
fast r ~ . . ’ 
Para 
Keyc 
Seed, 25. 
3L„ S>. SCOTT & CO., Huron, O. 
POTATOES FOR SEER. 
Early Rose, the largest stock in the country, warranted 
genuine, per bbl. $40; Sbhls. $35, 50 bbls. or more5$30 per 
bbl. Barrel to contain 165 lbs., packed and delivered at tho 
depot. 
Hakisojt.—$3.50 per bbl., packed and delivered at depot. 
Address " J. L. CONOVEIi, Red Bank, N. J. 
PlfSMWEY 5 ® WATERMELON. 
New York State Fail- awarded me the fu-3t premium on 
tins as tlie best variety. Package.15 Cts. 
Crosby's Early Sweet Corn, best early variety.15 Cts. 
Marblehead Mammoth, best late variety.15 Cts. 
Or ttie three hv mail for..30 Cts. 
Catalogue of Garden Seeds and Small Fruit Plants tent on 
application. A. S. JOHNSON, North Chili, N. Y. 
