SPRING CATALOGUE OF SEEDS, BULBS AND PLANTS FOR 1899. 
NEST EGG 
£GG-PLANT 
NEWYOf^K 
'MPROVED 
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: 
West Egg, Em proved —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 be 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. dins 
strain always comes true from seed. Pkt., 10c.; oz., 2oc. 
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 be¬ 
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. 
Egg piaqt. 
New York Improved—Very popular in all the city 
markets. This is the earliest, finest and largest vari¬ 
ety 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 hand¬ 
some, large, smooth and round and of a rich, shinirig, 
purple-black color, and is borne until frost. Cook by 
cutting into half <>r quarter-inch slices, and after paring 
dip them into salted water for an hour, then dip in 
beaten egg and cracker crumbs and fry in hot fat until 
golden brown. It has a meaty flavor much liked by 
everybody. This is absolutely the very finest strain of 
Egg Plant in cultivation. Pkt., 10c.; oz.. 50c.; lb.. $4.00. 
SUGAR TROUGH GOURD 
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 to use as 
nesting boxes, buckets, etc. They last for years. Pkt.. 10c. 
Spcort —A small Gourd, which is both useful and beautiful. 
Color creamy yellow, capped and striped green. Shell 
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 2oc. 
EVEixecS'Gourds, about 25 curious and useful sorts. Pkt., oc. 
White Pearl —This new pure white egg plant is a most 
beautiful vegetable, as well as the finest in quality of all 
egg plants. Very tender, delicate and highly flavored. 
Ripens early, fruit of large size and borne freely. Really, 
one of the very best vegetable novelties in a long time, and 
one which we can highly recommend. Pkt., 15c.;2for25c. 
