14 
D. M. FERRY & CO’S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
BEANS 
No crop responds more readily to good soil and cultivation; and a light, rich, well drained loam which was manured for tl 
previous crop is most desirable. If too rank manure is used it is apt to make the plant run too much to vine. Beans are vei 
sensitive to both cold and wet and it is useless to plant them before the ground has become dry and warm. The largest retun 
will result from planting in drills from two to three feet apart covering the seed one and one-half to two inches deep and thinnit 
the plants three to six inches apart in the row. If planted in hills, make the hills about two feet apart each way. For suceessioi 
plant at intervals of two weeks till midsummer. Up to the time of blossoming they should have frequent shallow cultivatior 
out any mutilation of the roots by cultivation after the plants come into bloom is likely to cause the blossoms to blast and so cl 
off the crop. Cultivation should always be very shallow and it is useless to expect a crop from a field so poorly prepared as t 
need deep stirring after planting. 
We give careful attention to selecting and improving the 
different varieties and keeping them pure and we invite the most 
critical comparison of our stocks with those of any other grower. 
The varieties we offer have been separated for convenience 
into five groups, Wax Podded Dwarf or Bush sorts. Green 
Podded Dwarf or Bush sorts. Dwarf Limas, Pole or Running 
sorts and Pole Limas. Nearly all of these sorts, except the 
Limas, are suitable when young for use as snaps. The low grow¬ 
ing sorts are called Bunch beans in some sections. In northern 
latitudes the term “butter beans” is often applied to low grow¬ 
ing wax podded sorts. In the south, however, by “butter beaus” 
is usually meant limas. 
DWARF OR BUSH 
WAX PODDED SORTS 
Challenge Dwarf Black Wax Mu*3^,S?3?SK 
great merit of this variety as the earliest wax podded bean. In 
all our many comparisons of this bean with other extra early 
sorts, we have found it the first to give a full picking of pods 
which were unexcelled by any in quality. Vines erect, com¬ 
pact, bearing the pods well up from the ground. The pods are 
an attractive medium yellow in color, medium sized, about four 
__early 
wax bean for tbe home or market garden. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c: 
Qt. 40c; 4 Qts. $1.50; Bu. $7.50 
D. M. Ferry & Co’s Golden Wax introduced by 
us in 1876. Extended and careful tests have convinced us that 
none of the so-called improved strains is equal in general ex¬ 
cellence to the seed wo offer, which has all been carefully se¬ 
lected and grown from the original D. M. Ferry & Co’s Golden 
Wax. Early, very productive. Vines erect, compact, bearing 
the pods well up from the ground. Pods of medium length, 
four and one-half to five inches, nearly straight, broad, flat, 
golden yellow, very fleshy and wax-like; cooking quickly as 
snaps, shelling well when green, and of the highest quality 
used in either way. Seed medium sized, oval, white, more or 
less covered with two shades of purplish red. The amount and 
shade of color on this and all parti-colored beans will be 
affected greatly by conditions of soil and ripening. Pkt. 10c; 
Pt. 25c; Qt. 40c; 4 Qts. $1.50; Bu. $8.00 
»»• i • iin •- This splendid variety is one of 
Michigan W hlte W ax the earliest dwarf, snap beans, 
and may be briefly described as a white seeded D. M. Ferry & 
Co's Golden Wax but in several vital features it is distinctly 
superior to that excellent and exceedingly popular variety. 
The vine is a little larger, more robust and vigorous; foliage a 
little heavier. The handsome pods are produced in greater 
abundance and are very uniform in size and color which is a 
very attractive light golden yellow; pods four and one-half to 
five inches long, comparatively broad, meaty and of the same 
superior quality as our Golden Wax. Seed medium sized, oval, 
clear white. This last feature alone gives the variety a very 
decided advantage over all other early wax podded beans in 
that as snaps they cook without discoloring and thus are more 
attractive on the table, while as dry beans they are very hand¬ 
some and quite as useful as any of the staple white beans. We 
believe canners have never been offered a bean so fully meet¬ 
ing their requirements as to earliness, color and splendid 
quality. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 40c; 4 Qts. $1.50; Bu. $8.00 
Grenell Rust Proof Wax 
Wax. The handsome deep yellow pods are about five inches 
long, broader and flatter than Golden Wax but slightly inferior 
in quality. Seed similar to our Golden Wax but darker. Very 
popular with some gardeners. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 35c; 
4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $7.00 
Keeney’s Rustless Golden Wax vigorous, on8 with 
short runners. Pods produced in abundance; about five inches 
long, stringless, light yellow, wax-like and handsome. Seed 
similar to a light colored Golden Wax. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; 
Qt. 35c; 4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $7.00 
D C \\T The stock of our own growing which we 
^•GiUgee W a.X offer is much superior to that commonly 
sold being very early. Every plant can be depended upon to 
produce tnick, fleshy, round, stringless wax-like pods of fine 
quality and of a clear, light yellow color, none of the plants 
being green podded. Pods four to five inches in length. Seed 
medium sized, cylindrical, rounded at ends, yellowish drab, 
heavily splashed with a bluish black. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 40c; 
4 Qts. $1.50; Bu. $7.50 
Michigan White Wax 
If beans are ordered by mail or express prepaid add 10 cents per pint , 15 cents per quart for charges. 
