D. M. FERRY & CO., DETROIT, MICH. 
13 
ILLUSTRATED AND DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE 
= OF ' - 
VEGETABLE SEEDS 
WITH GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR CULTIVATION 
ARTICHOKE 
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 Jerusalem Artichoke, in which the edible portion is the tuber. 
In February or March sow and transplant in hotbeds so as to give plenty of room until danger of frost is over. Then set in 
very rich, well drained 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. Late in the fall cut off the old tops and thoroughly pro¬ 
tect 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 th~ee or 
four years, it is best to start a new plantation as often as once 
in three years. 
Large Globe, or Paris 
hardy, leaves silver pray, ribs reddish at the base and without 
spines. Buds large, nearly round; scales pale green, shading 
at ^ ie ,,ase - No other variety has such a broad, thick 
and fleshy receptacle or bottom. Height of stem about two 
and one-half feet. ( Crop failed ) 
ASPARAGUS 
Columbian Mammoth White 
One of the earliest and most delicious of spring vegetables. 
'' ® strongly urge all those having enough available space to 
put m a bed for their own use, following carefully the cultural 
directions given below. Beds are usually formed by setting 
roots which can he procured of us. If you wish to grow plants 
from the seed yourself, pour warm water on the seed ami allow 
it to stand until cool; pour it off and repeat two or three times 
w ith fresh warm water. Sow in spring in drills about eighteen 
inches apart and two inches deep in light, rich soil planting 
fifteen to twenty seeds to each foot of 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 perma, 
nent 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 and 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. Larly the next spring spade in a heavy 
dressing of manure and about one quart of salt and double the 
quantity of fresh w ood ashes to each square rod and cultivate 
well as long as the size of plants w ill 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 
f requently until the plants meet in the rows. In autumn after 
the tops are fully npe and yellow, they should be cut and 
T,' 1 fifteen by fifty feet, requiring about one hundred 
plants, if well cultivated and manured, should give the follow¬ 
ing season an abundant supply for an ordinary family and con¬ 
tinue prod uctive for eight or ten yours. 
PalmpHo a very earIj : maturing and prolific variety, pro- 
rdimeno duenig ail abundance of very large, deep green 
shoots of the best quality. SEED—Pkt. 5c; Oz. 10c- 2 Oz 15c 
'i Lb. 20c; Lb. 60c. ROOTS-Postpaid! $1.35 per 100; by 
freight or express, not prepaid, 85c. per 100; $5.50 per 1000 
Conover’s Colossal This sort is one of the largest and 
'-uiiover s \_010ssai most extensively used green va- 
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; % Lb. 20c; Lb. 60c. ROOTS - 
8Sm P p a er'l!of$5 P 50 r per ioSo iKh ‘ ° r " Pre8> ' " 0t Prepaid - 
Columbian Mammoth White 
MdfllvL eX r? I i t,on ? Ily lar ge size and of superior tenderness 
the so,me Color clear white until four to six inches above 
white khSSte ,'i Ke P ,0 P° rtl °n of the seeds will produce 
whjte shoots and the green ones can lie easily reiected when 
setting out the permanent bed. SEED Pkt 5c- n in“ 
foO Z b ,5 f C; y± b - 25c; Lb - 75c - R °OTS Postpaid! $° 35 p°;; 
per 100C) ^ ° r express * not P re Paid. 85c. per 100; $6.00 
