Ribsam’s Manual 
{ 14} 
Martin C. Ribsam & Sons Co. 
EGGPLANT 
German, Eierpflanze; Italian, Petronciano; Polish, 
Gruszka 
1 oz. will produce about 1000 plants 
The Eggplant will thrive well in any good garden soil but will 
repay good treatment. The seed should be sown in hotbeds 
the second week in March, care being taken to protect the young 
plants from cold at night. Plant out about June 1st, about 
2 Yt feet apart. If no hotbed is at hand, sufficient plants may be 
raised for a small garden by sowing a few seeds in common 
flower pots or boxes in the house. 
IMPROVED NEW YORK SPINELESS. 130 days. The habit 
of the plant is low and branching, and is quite free from 
spines both on the plant or calyx of the fruit, which are of the 
largest size and most perfect form. Pkt. 10c., oz. 35c., )/i lb. 
$1.25, lb. $3.50. 
EARLY BLACK BEAUTY. 125 days. Earlier than any other 
sort. Fruit, jet black, holding its black color during its 
maturing season. Very productive with uniform size fruit. 
Pkt. 10c., oz. 35c., M lb. $1.25, lb. $3.50. 
EGGPLANT (Pot Grown) 
Ready May 1st 
EARLY BLACK BEAUTY. In pots. Each 8c„ doz. 75c., 
100 $4.00. Out of seed beds, doz. 35c., 100 $1.75. Boxed 
plants, each 5c., doz. 50c. 
Special prices on application, in quantities 
INCLUDE WITH YOUR SEED ORDER 
SEMESAN. A seed disinfectant. Place a small 
quantity of Semesan with seeds in a container, and 
shake vigorously for a few minutes; bacteria and 
fungous spores that may be adhering to the seeds will 
be killed. 2 ozs. 50c., lb. $2.75, 5 lbs. $13.00. 
ENDIVE 
German, Endivien; Italian, Endiva; Polish, Endywia 
I oz. will sow a 100-ft. row 
Endive is one of the best salads for Fall and Winter use. 
Sow for an early supply about the middle of April. As it is used 
mostly in the Fall months, the main sowings are made in June 
and July, from which plantations are formed 1 foot apart in 
each way, in August and September. It requires no special soil 
or manure and after planting, is kept clear of weeds until the 
plant has obtained its full size, when the process of blanching 
begins. This is effected by gathering up the leaves and tying 
them by their tips in a conical form with bass mating. This 
excludes the light and air from the inner leaves, which in the 
course of from three to six weeks, according to the temperature 
at the time, become blanched. Another and simpler method con¬ 
sists in covering up the plants as they grow with slate or boards, 
which serves the same purpose—by excluding the light—as the 
tying-up. 
GREEN CURLED. 30 days. Very hardy, leaves dark green, 
tender and crisp. Pkt. 10c., oz. 15c., J4 lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. 
Batavian Broad-leaved, or Escarole Endive 
Eggplant Black Beauty 
FRENCH MOSS CURLED. From the density of its foliage, 
this variety is heavier than the Green Curled, equally agree¬ 
able as a salad and either green or blanched is particularly 
handsome. Pkt. 10c., oz. 15c., J4 lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. 
BATAVIAN BROADLEAVED or ESCAROLLE. 30 days. 
Leaves, broad, light green, nearly plain, used in stews and 
soups. Pkt. 5c., oz. 15c., % lb. 35c., lb. $1.00. 
WHITE CURLED. 35 days. Leaves pale green, grows to a 
large size; always crisp and very tender. Pkt. 10c., oz. 15c., 
lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. • 
FENNEL SWEET or FLORENCE 
Annual; height 2 feet; fine, feathery foliage. Pkt. 10c., oz. 
15c., M lb. 40c., lb. $1.25. 
GARLIC 
Used for flavoring soups, stews and other dishes. Garlic 
thrives best in a light, well-enriched soil. The sets should be 
planted in early Spring in rows 1 foot apart and from 1 to 5 
inches between the plants in the rows. The crop matures in 
August when it is harvested like the Onion. 
GARLIC SETS. Lb. 25c. 
HERBS 
(Sweet Pot and Medicinal Herbs) 
No garden is complete without a few herbs for culinary and 
medicinal purposes and care should be taken to harvest them 
properly. This should be done on a dry day, just before they 
come in full bloom, then dried quickly and packed closely, en¬ 
tirely excluded from the air. Sow in the Spring, in shallow 
drills, 1 foot apart, and when well up thin out or transplant to a 
proper distance apart. 
ANISE (Pimpinella anisum). 55 days. Biennial. Pkt. 10c., 
oz. 15c., lb. $1.50. 
BASIL, SWEET (Ocimum basilicum). 60 days. Annual. 6 ft. 
Pkt. 10c„ oz. 25c., lb. $2.00. 
BORAGE (Borago officinalis). 60 days. Excellent for bees. 
Annual; 3 ft. Pkt. 10c., oz. 20c., lb. $1.25. 
CARAWAY (Carum carvi). 60 days. Perennial; 2 ft. Pkt. 
10c., oz. 15c., lb. $1.00. 
CORIANDER (Coriandrum sativum). 50 days. Annual; 2 ft. 
Pkt. 10c., oz. 15c., lb. $1.00. 
DILL (Anethum graveolens). 70 days. Biennial; 3 ft. Pkt- 
5c., oz. 15c., lb. 75c. 
FENNEL (Anethum foeniculum). 60 days. 6 ft. Pkt. 10c., 
oz. 15c., lb. $1.25. 
HOP SEED (Humuluslululus). Pkt. 10c., oz. 25c., M lb. $1.25, 
lb. $4.00. 
HOREHOUND (Marrubium vulgare). Perennial; 2 ft. Pkt. 
10c., oz. 35c., lb. $3.50. 
LAVENDER (Lavandula spica). 60 days. Perennial; 2 ft. 
Pkt. 10c., oz. 35c., lb. $3.50. 
MARJORAM, SWEET (Origanum marjorana). 70 days. 
Annual; 1 ft. Pkt. 10c., oz. 25c., lb. $2.00. 
ROSEMARY (Rosemarinus officinalis). An aromatic herb. 
Pkt. 10c. 
RUE (Ruta graveolens). Perennial; 3 ft. Pkt. 10c., oz. 35c. 
SAFFRON. Pkt. 10c., oz. 25c. 
SAGE (Salvia officinalis). 70 days. Annual; 1 ft. Pkt. 10c., 
oz. 25c., lb. $2.00. 
SUMMER SAVORY (Satureia hortensis). 60 days. Annual; 
1 ft. Pkt. 10c., oz. 25c., lb. $1.75. 
