ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA. 
Vegetable Seeds 
Grand Rapids Lettuce 
KALE orBORECOLE 
This is a species of the cabbage family and is 
extensively grown for greens, especially in the 
South. Most varieties have heavy, densely curled 
foliage of beautiful green and the dwarf varieties 
are desirable for ornamental garden use. The cul¬ 
ture is practically the same as that of late cabbage 
but as the plants will withstand several degrees of 
frost they can be allowed to grow late into the fall. 
They are regarded by many as at their best after the 
first heavy frosts. 
Dwartf-curled Scotch Kale. This is the variety usually sown 
in the fall for spring market. It is low-growing with 
finely curled leaves of deep green. Pkt. 10c; oz. 15c; 
Vi lb. 40c; Vt lb. 60c; lb. 95c. 
LEEK 
One ounce will sow 100 feet of drill 
This is a widely cultivated species of the onion 
family. It is highly esteemed as a fall and winter 
substitute for green onions. Also regarded by many 
as superior in tenderness and flavor when cooked. 
The leaves are flat and the stems are large, cylindri¬ 
cal and bulbous. Sow early in spring in rows 12 to 
15 inches apart, covering % inch deep. Thin the 
plants to 6 inches apart in the row and draw the 
earth about them when cultivating. If one desires 
very white and tender leeks, transplant when about 6 inches 
tall, setting 4 inches apart in trenches about 2 feet apart and 
gradually earth up like celery. 
Large American Flag. The kind mostly grown for market. Pkt. 
10c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 75c; % lb. $1.25; lb. $2.00. 
LETTUCE 
One ounce of seed will sow 100 square feet or 120 feet of drill 
Lettuce seed germinates quickly and may be planted as soon 
as the cold wet days of spring are past. The home gardener 
will find it best to sow seed in rows 15 to 18 inches apart, 
covering not more than % inch deep. The loose leaved type 
may be thinned to an inch or so apart as soon as a few leaves 
are formed and when large enough for the table may be 
thinned as used. In this way space is provided at about the 
same rate as required for normal growth. 
The conditions necessary to grow good head lettuce are 
rich soil, plenty of moisture, and steady growth from the 
time the seeds are planted until the heads are ready to use. 
A check in growth from lack of nourishment or moisture 
usually means no head. 
The most satisfactory results will be obtained from growing 
lettuce in cool weather; the seed should therefore be sown in 
boxes indoors or in the hot bed and set out as soon as weather 
conditions are favorable. If this is not practicable sowing 
may be made in the open ground as soon as soil and weather 
conditions permit. The plants should be thinned to 10 inches 
apart in the row and thorough cultivation given to keep down 
the weeds and conserve moisture. A light application of 
fertilizer, such as nitrate of soda, used after the plants have 
made some growth will be found very beneficial. 
Big Boston. Fine for coldframes or outdoors. Heads large and solid. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
New York. Also called Los Angeles and Wonderful. Large, compact 
head with frilled edge and dark green leaves. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; 
Vi lb. 70c; Va lb. $1.10; lb. $1.75. 
Abel’s Brittle Ice. Fine, quick-growing variety with bright green 
leaves. Heart extremely tender, juicy and nearly white. Excellent 
for market gardeners. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 70c; Va lb. $1.10; 
lb. $1.75. 
Abel’s Prizehead. Large, loose heads of crimped and fringed leaves, 
heavily shaded brown. Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; 
lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
New York No. 12. This is the product of a single plant selection 
and the result of many year’s work. It is a pronounced improve¬ 
ment over other types of New York, as it is earlier, makes large, 
solid heads of the flat type, and is remarkably uniform in maturity. 
Several fields have produced a nearly 100 per cent cut of U. S. 
No. 1 heads in 65 days from sowing. Its sure-heading quality 
makes it unsurpassed for spring and summer. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; 
Vi lb. 70c; Va lb. $1.10; lb. $1.75. 
Abel’s All the Year Round. A variety for sowing in the fall for win¬ 
tering over to have early Head Lettuce the first thing in the spring. 
Finest quality, solid heads with creamy yellow center. Sow the 
seed about August 15 to September 10. About the end of October, 
set the plants to remain permanently in as warm and favorable 
situation as possible. Protect with straw during frosty weather. 
Heads begin to form in April. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 70c; Va lb. 
$1.10; lb. $1.75. 
COS or ROMAINE 
This class is quite distinct from the other classes of lettuce. It is 
frequently called celery lettuce on account of its erect habit of growth 
and because it possesses dark colored spatulate leaves with prominent 
midribs. For best results it should be planted for late summer or 
early fall use as it does not make solid heads in hot weather. When 
grown in the home garden each plant should have ample room and 
should be thinned to about 8 inches apart. 
Black-seeded Simpson. Quick-growing variety with a mass of light 
green, curly leaves of finest quality. A most popular Lettuce. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
Wayahead. Very early; close heading; large; of superior quality. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
Iceberg. Solid heads; blanches well. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; 141b. 40c; 
Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
Black-seeded Tennis Ball. Heads close and hard. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; 
Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
Improved Salamander. A large, compact variety that withstands hot 
weather remarkably well. Leaves large, broad, overlapping, with 
well-blanched heart. One of the best for summer planting. Pkt. 
5c; oz. 20c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. $4.50. 
Hanson. A thin-leaved, curled, tight-heading, frilled-edge sort desir¬ 
able for late summer planting, and remaining in condition a long 
time. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 5 lbs. 
$4.50. 
Early Curled Silesia. A favorite curled or lose-leaved sort for the 
home garden. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 
5 lbs. $4.50. 
Grand Rapids. The crumpled leaves do not make a solid head. 
Forcing sort. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Vi lb. 40c; Va lb. 65c; lb. $1.00; 
5 lbs. $4.50. 
The earliest sowing 
may be made in February 
or March under glass, 
with slight heat. For 
later supply, sow in the 
open ground, and as soon 
as the season permits, 
thin out rows two feet 
apart and a foot between 
the plants. Requires 
good ground and abun¬ 
dant moisture. 
Self-folding Cos or Ro- 
maine. Sow early and 
tie up to blanch. 
Long-leaved, crisp and 
tender. Pkt. 5c; oz. 
20c; Vi lb. 50c; Ms lb. 
75c; lb. $1.25. 
Cos Lettuce 
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