COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA 
37 
Muskmelon 
CULTURE—2 oz. of seed for 50 hills; 2 lbs. for 1 acre. 
Sandy soil, well enriched with manure, is the best for 
melons. Have the hills 4 by 5 feet, dropping 25 seeds in each 
hill, so as to feed mice and cutworms and still have a good 
stand. Leave only three strongest plants in each hill. When 
the plants start to vine we fertilize the field with 300 lbs. of 
cotton seed meal to the acre. Open shallow furrows between 
the rows, scatter the meal moderately thick and cultivate 
same in the ground. This pays us handsomely because it 
hastens the crop to maturity, the melons are of bigger size 
and are more heavily netted and almost free from culls. 
In case of a cold spell with plants up early in the spring, 
go over the patch with a hoe and cover up the young plants 
with dirt and remove the dirt when danger of frost is past. 
To make Muskmelon growing a paying proposition plant 
the seed as early as in your judgment is safe. While in the 
“baby” stage, the plants are liable to be badly injured if not 
ruined by a cold beating rain. All growers know these cold 
spring rains and the resulting damage. A beating rain de¬ 
stroys the thread-like roots of the young plants, severely 
checking them in growth. In many cases the plants “come 
out of it” but to expect an early crop of melons is out of 
question. To get an early crop of melons examine your 
plants after every rain and replant whenever you see that 
the plants were damaged. You cannot expect an early crop 
from plants that have been checked in their growth. Melons 
placed on the market ahead of the parade bring real returns, 
therefore replanting and watching the crop pays. 
Which Is the Best Muskmelon 
Every year the all ready long list of melons is made 
longer by new arrivals. We are adding these new ones as 
fast, as fairly sure, that they are of real value. 
Too often a new this or that appears, is being praised 
highly, but when put to test, is not found deserving. When 
it comes to melons, the new varieties offered by us are all 
good and you need not hesitate giving these new ones a trial. 
See novelty pages for the offers and descriptions of new 
muskmelons, pages 1 to 10 in this catalog. 
As to the older varieties listed by us, would say, that 
many of these will stay in favor for a long time to come. 
Such varieties as Hearts of Gold, Hale’s Best, Sugar Sweet 
and even the odd shaped Banana melon, are not easily re¬ 
placed. They all have their particular merit. So it would be 
“walking on thin ice” to come out with a statement that so 
and so melon is the BEST. There is no “BEST.” You do 
not want Tip Top if you want a shipping melon and you do 
not want Rockyford, no matter how highly improved in qual¬ 
ity, if you are catering to a local market where nothing but 
big melons are wanted. 
So the only thing to go by is, to read our descriptions 
and bear in mind that these descriptions are reliable. Try 
the new melons. As a rule one trial will suffice to tell of 
just what value the new melon will be to you. 
VICTOR MUSKMELON 
Just imagine a rich flavored, luscious melon with firm, 
tender, deep green flesh extending close to the rind; of im¬ 
mense size, from 12 to 18 inches in length and 8 to 10 inches 
in diameter; a splendid shipper because of its deep netting 
and large size—and you have our Victor Muskmelon. 
VICTOR is a splendid melon for hotel or restaurant trade. Its 
size appeals. One melon is good for eight slices on an average. The 
quality impresses the patron and results in an insistent demand. Get 
your order for seed in early. Pkt. 10c; oz. 15c; lb. $1.20. 
MARKET KING MUSKMELON 
MARKET KING is not only extra early, but also extra 
large. Its size is enormous for a muskmelon. A whole field 
will average 20 to 25 lbs. and selected specimens will weigh 
as much as 35 lbs. In spite of its mammoth size, the melon 
is of good quality. 
MARKET KING is a salmon fleshed variety, with very 
thick flesh, and its seeds are nearly twice as large as those 
of other melons. All who are looking for a large muskmelon 
will find, our MARKET KING to fill the bill. Pkt. 10c; oz. 
15c; 14 lb. 40c;. 1 lb. $1.60; 10 lbs. $15.00, prepaid. 
Ours is tlie most critical trade—gardeners and florists. 
We cater to the wise and experienced. We give value. Among 
onr customers are the foremost florists and market gardeners. 
SUGAR SWEET MELON 
A fine early melon, ripening a few days earlier than the 
Rocky Ford. It is a netted melon similar in shape to the 
Rocky Ford. Rather large sized and therefore not suitable 
as a crating melon. The flesh is green with a golden lining 
next to the seed cavity. Sweet and sugary. Pkt. 5c; oz. 10c; 
14 lb. 25c; 1 lb. $1.00. 
ROCKY FORD 
We have an exceptionally fine strain of this standard 
melon. Our melon is very early, heavily and finely netted, 
weighing about 1 y 2 pounds each. Highly rust resistant, very 
heavily productive. Pkt. 5c; oz. 10c; 14 lb. 20c; 1 lb.. 80c; 
10 lbs. $7.00, prepaid. 
MALABAR MELON 
A variety of gourd the meat of which when cooked, will become 
golden yellow color and come out in strings resembling finely cut 
noodles and is called by some ‘‘Noodle Plant.” Very tasty when 
served hot with melted butter. Highly interesting novelty that may 
or may not become widely popular. Regardless of what the future 
will bring, growers should find it worth while to try this new 
vegetable. Pkt. 10c; oz. 45c. 
MUSKMELON EXTRA EARLY OSAGE 
Ten days earlier than the old type of Osage, of same shape and 
same quality, only this new variety is a triflle smaller. It is slightly 
ribbed, fairly well netted, oval in shape, dark green. Flesh very 
thick, salmon colored and very sweet. Pkt. 5c; oz. 10c; % lb. 25c; 
lb. $1.00, postpaid. 
EARLY KING 
is the name of a new and splendid Cauliflower described else¬ 
where in this catalog. For an early crop no other cauliflower 
will pay you as well. To get the highest price for your cauli¬ 
flower pack them so that the snow white heads will not get 
bruised and spotty. The public buys “through the eye” and 
will pay more for them if your cauliflower have the “looks.” 
MUSKMELON SUNKIST 
and HONEYMEL are two new melons that are “comers” and 
of great importance to all melon growers. Described on 
pages 3-4. 
We sell half pounds at pound rates, 5 lbs. or over 
at 10 lb. rate, 25 lbs. or over at 100 lb. rate. 
