m 
D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
13 
ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 
:■ : OF ■ 
VEGETABLE SEEDS 
WITH GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTIVATION 
ARTICHOKE 
In February or March sow and transplant in hotbeds so as to 
give plenty or room until danger of frost is over. Then set in very 
rich, well draiued soil in rows four feet apart and two feet apart in 
the row. The plants can be raised in seed beds out of doors, but in 
that case will not be likely to produce heads the first year. The 
seed we offer is that of the true artichoke which is a very popular 
vegetable in Europe. In it the edible portion is the thickened 
scales at the base of the flower heads or buds. The plant is very 
-different from what is known in America as Artichoke or Jerusa¬ 
lem Artichoke, in which the edible portion is the tuber. Late in 
the fall cut off the old tops and thoroughly protect the crowns 
with leaves or straw to prevent severe freezing. The second year 
thin the starting shoots to three of the best, which will commence 
to form heads about July 1st. The plants may also be blanched 
like Cardoons. This is done by cutting back the stems close to the 
ground in July, the rapidly growing shoots which then start up 
may be tied and blanched like celery. As Artichoke plants do not 
yield satisfactorily after three or four years it is best to start a new 
plantation as often as once in three years. 
« D • The best sort for general use. 
i-*<lTge Lilobe, or raris Plant vigorous and hardy, leaves 
silver gray, ribs reddish at the base and without spines. Buds 
large, nearly round; scales* pale green, shading to violet at 
the base. No other variety lias such a broad, thick and fleshy 
receptacle or bottom. Height of stein about two and one-half 
feet. Pkt. 5c; Oz. 60c; 2 Oz. $1.00; Vi Lb. $1.75; Lb. $6.00 
ASPARAGUS 
Large Globe, or Paris 
One of the earliest and most delicious of spring vegetables. We strongly urge all those having enough available 
space to put in a bed for their own use, following carefully the cultural directions given below. Beds are usually formed 
by setting roots which can be procured of us. If you wish to grow plants from the seed yourself, pour warm Water on 
the seed and allow it to stand until cool: pour it off and repeat t wo or 
three times with fresh warm water. Sow in spring in drills about 
eighteen inches apart and two inches deep in light, rich soil, plant¬ 
ing fifteen to twenty seeds to each foot or row. When the plants 
are well up, thin to about one inch apart and give frequent and 
thorough cultivation during the summer. If this has been well 
done, the plants will be fit to set the next spring. The permanent 
beds should be prepared by deep plowing or spading and thoroughly 
enriching the ground with stable manure or other fertilizer: a 
moist, sandy soil is best. If the subsoil is not naturally loose ami 
friable, it should be made so by thoroughly stirring with a subsoil 
plow or spade. Set the plants about four inches deep and one to 
two feet apart in rows four to six feet apart. After the plants are 
well started, give frequent and thorough cultivation. Early the 
next spring spade in a heavy dressing of manure and about one 
quart of salt and double the quantity of fresh wood ashes to each 
square rod and cultivate well as long as the size of the plants will 
permit, or until they begin to die down. The next season the bed 
may be cut over two or three times, but if this is done, all the 
shoots, no matter how small, should be cut. After the final cutting, 
give a good dressing of manure, ashes and salt. Cultivate fre¬ 
quently until the plants meet in the rows. In autumn after the tops 
are fully ripe and yellow, they should be cut and burned. Abed 
fifteen by fifty feet, requiring about one hundred plants, if well 
cultivated and manured, should give the following season an abun¬ 
dant supply for an ordinary family and continue productive for 
eight or ten years. 
pi ,. A very early maturing and prolific variety, produc- 
raimeiiO ingan abundance of very large, deep green shoots 
of the best quality. SEED Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; Vi Lb. 20c; 
Lb. 65c. ROOTS Postpaid, $1.35 per 100; by freight or express, 
not prepaid, 85c per 100; $5.50 per 1000 
_ 1 This sort is one of the largest and most 
Lonovcr S Loloss&l extensively used green varieties. 
Shoots bright green, sometimes tinged with purple at the top, 
very tender and of the best quality. SEED Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 
2 Oz. 15c; Vi Lb. 20c; Lb. 60c. ROOTS—Postpaid, $1.30 per 100. 
by freight or express, not prepaid, 80c per 100; $5.50 per 1000 
Columbian Mammoth White Msh b e r ss Li n s 
of exceptionally large size and of superior tenderness and flavor. 
Color clear white until four to six inches above the surface. A 
large proportion of the seeds will produce white shoots and the 
green ones can be easily rejected when setting out the perman¬ 
ent bed. SEED—Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c; 2 Oz. 15c; V 4 Lb. 25c; Lb. 75c. 
ROOTS - Postpaid, $1.35 per 100; by freight or express, not pre¬ 
paid, 85c per 100; $6.00 per 1000 
Palmetto 
