95 
SPRING CATALOGUE OF SEEDS BULBS AND PLANTS FOR 1898. 
gourds. 
A class of rapid growing vines which produce an abund¬ 
ance of hard shelled fruits that are of much beauty and use¬ 
fulness. The following are by far the most useful: 
Nest Egg, Improved- A striking vine when hanging full of 
its pretty, curious fruit, that so closely resembles smooth, 
well-shaped hen’s eggs that a hen might well he excused 
for claiming them as her own production. As the shells 
become very tough and hard they do not crack or burst 
open in freezing weather, and are thus very useful for 
nest eggs. Very ornamental as well as useful. This 
strain always comes true from seed. Pkt., 10c.; oz., 25c. 
Dipper— Another useful Gourd, that, as the fruit is light 
and strong and does not rust or rot or heat easily, is just | 
right to use in dipping hot liquids, soap, etc., besides l>e- 
ing useful for bird’s nests, fancy hanging baskets, etc. 
They hold from one pint to a quart and a half each. 
Pkt., 10c.; oz., 25c. 
Dish Cloth —Ornamental enough for a house vine and fruit 
very useful. Vines grow large and robust, with large 
luxuriant dark-green leaves and really handsome, large, 
crimped flowers of a rich golden-yellow. Fruit enormous, 
two feet in length and borne in great profusion. The 
lining of mature fruit, when washed and bleached in sun 
is porous, tough, elastic, sponge-like, making the nicest, 
cleanest substitute for dish cloths and bath sponges 
imaginable, besides being very useful for various articles 
of fancy work. Start early. Pkt., 5c. 
Spoon— A small Gourd, which is both useful and beautiful: 
Color creamy yellow, capped and striped green. Shel 1 
very hard and durable so that when the Gourds are cut 
open (the large part), we have a unique spoon or ladle, 
with a fine round handle. A most useful article in many 
ways. Free, rank grower. Pkt., 10c.; 3 pkts. for 25c. 
Gooseberry -The smallest of the Gourds; bears an abun¬ 
dance oI beautiful little gooseberry-like gourds. Pkt.,5c. 
Powderhorn —A real powderhorn shape, and useful in many 
ways. Pkt., 5c. 
Pear Shaped, Yellow and Red —A new Gourd of size and 
shape of a pear. Color yellow with fine red stripes. A 
most beautiful sort. Pkt., 10c. 
Japanese —Recently introduced from Japan. These Gourds 
are of both large and small sizes and peculiar shape. 
Very free growers and useful in many ways. Pkt., 5c. 
One vkt. each of the 10 sorts for 75c. 
Ni£WYa^K 
Proved 
Sugar Trough Enormous hard-shelled fruit, holding from 
three to ten gallons each, and as they never rust or rot, 
and are very light and strong, are just right to use as re¬ 
ceptacles for lard, salt, seed corn, soap, etc., or tu use as 
nesting boxes, buckets, etc. They last ror years. Pkt., 10c. 
Hercules Club —Enormous, long, club-shaped fruit, very 
curious and at the same time exceedingly useful to use 
in storing various articles, as the fruit is hard-shelled 
and lasts for years in perfect condition. Pkt., 10c.; oz., 
E££> piapt. — New York Improved. 
Very popular in all the city markets. This is the earli¬ 
est, finest and largest variety grown, and is a fine sort for 
either market or private garden. Start seed in hot-bed and 
transplant Into warm, rich, mellow soil. The fruit is very 
handsome, large, smooth and round and of a rich, shining, 
purple-black color, and Is borne until frost. Cook by cut¬ 
ting into half or quarter-inch slices, and after paring dip 
them into salted water for an hour, then dip in boaten egg 
and cracker crumbs and fry in hot fat until golden brown. 
It has a meatv flavor much liked by everybody. This is ab¬ 
solutely the very finest strain of Egg Plant in cultivation. 
Pkt., 10c.; oz., 50c.; lb., $i.00. 
