14 
D. M. FERRY & CO'S DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 
BEANS 
This bean was introduced by us 
in 1876. Extended and careful 
No crop responds more readily to good soil and cultivation; and a light, rich, well drained loam which was manured for the 
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 very 
sensitive to both cold and wet and it is useless to plant them before the ground has become dry and warm. The largest returns 
will result from planting in drills from two to three feet apart covering the seed one and one-half to two inches deep and thinning 
the plants three to six inches apart in the row. If planted in hills, make the hills about two feet apart each way. For succession 
plant at intervals of two weeks till midsummer. Up to the time of blossoming they should have frequent shallow cultivation’ 
but. any mutilation of the roots by cultivation after the plants come into bloom is likely to cause the blossoms to blast and so cut 
off the crop. Cultivation should always be very shallow and it is useless to expect 
a wuu uum <*• noiia nu pwilj pitjpjtiod tvs Lu nceu uetsp stirring Hii-er 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 growing sorts are 
called Bunch beans in some sections. In northern latitudes the term ‘‘butter 
beans” is often applied to low growing wax podded sorts. In the south, however, 
by ‘‘butter beans' 1 is usually meant limas. 
DWARF OR BUSH—WAX PODDED SORTS 
Challenge Dwarf Black Wax 
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, compact, bearing 
the pods well up from the ground. The pods are clear waxy-white, medium 
sized, about four and one-fourth inches long, considerably curved, round, very 
fleshy, crisp, tender andyStringless. Seed jet clack, longer and more curved than 
Prolific German Wax. The best extra early wax bean for the home or market 
garden. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 35c; 4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $7.00 
D. M. Ferry & Co’s Golden Wax _ _ 
tests have convinced us that none of the so-called improved strains is equal in 
general excellence to the seed we offer, which has all been carefully selected and 
^ ™ ~ w Early, very produc- 
tbe ground. Pods of 
_ . ----- _ , 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. 35c; 
4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $6.50 
wr _This splendid variety is one of the earliest 
Ivlicnigan Wnite Wax dwarf, snap beans, and may be briefly des¬ 
cribed 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 
handsome and quite as useful as any of the staple white beans. We believe 
canners have never been offered a bean so fully meeting their requirements as 
to earliness, color and splendid quality. (See colored plate opposite.) Pkt. 10c* 
Pt. 25c; Qt. 40c; 4 Qts. $1.50; Bu. $7.50 
iir „ Vinesa little more upright and hardier than 
Isrenell Kust r root W ax the Golden Wax. The handsome 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. $6.50 
Vines strong and vigorous, with 
short runners. Pods produced in 
wax-like and handsome. 
_ ~ -10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 35c; 
4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $6.50 
The stock of our own growing which we offer is much 
-• - 1 -Md, ‘ 
Keeney’s Rustless Golden Wax 
abundance; about five inches long, stringless, white, 
Seed similar to a light colored Golden Wax. Pkt. 
being very early. Every 
3 ( 1 , s ‘ ’ 
Refugee ^Vax superior to that commonly sol'd, 
plant can be depended upon to produce thick, neshy, rouncT, stringless' wax-like 
pods of fine quality and of a clear, creamy white color, none of the plants being 
green podded. Pods four to five inches in length. Seed medium sized, cylindric¬ 
al, rounded at ends, yellowish drab, heavily splashed with a bluish black. 
Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 35c; 4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $6.50 
D. M. Ferry & Co’s Detroit Wax e?& pr °TJTs 
straight, broad and fiat, four to four and one-half inches in length, and as nearly 
rust proof as any wax bean. Seed medium sized, oval, white with more or less 
irregular dark brown or black markings about the eye. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c: 
Qt. 35c; 4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $6.50 
Prolific German Wax, Black Seeded 
ter bean and is much better in every respect. Vines medium sized, with small 
foliage, very vigorous, hardy and productive, maturing about midseason. Pods medium length, four and one-fourth to four 
and one-half inches, borne well up from the ground, curved, cylindrical, fleshy and of a clear, creamy white color and remain 
a long time in condition for use as snaps. Seed small, oblong, jet black. Pkt. 10c; Pt. 25c; Qt. 35c; 4 Qt*. $1.25; Bu. $7.00 
P*xT->r*iI P This comparatively new wax podded bean is particularly handsome, also medium early, hardy and 
1 ciic.ii r ou VV ax very prolific. Leaves roughened. Pods long, five and one-half to six inches, straight, round, fleshy 
and of a bright yellow color; tender, absolutely stringless and of excellent quality, and are produced through a long season. 
One of the best for home use and near markets. Seed long, round, medium sized; color solid black. Pkt. 10c: Pt. 25c* 
Qt. 35c; 4 Qts. $1.25; Bu. $7.00 
If beans are ordered by mail or express prepaid add 10 cents per pint , 15 cents per quart for charges. 
