‘7t’s the Crop that Counts ' 
ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA 
Hale’s Best 
MUSKMELON 
One ounce of seed will sow 80 hills; 2 to 3 pounds an acre 
There are few products of the garden that give as much 
pleasure as ripe sweet melons fresh from the vines. With 
seedsmen and other plant breeders vieing to produce the most 
delicious varieties it is now comparatively easy for the 
home gardener to enjoy this luscious garden prize at its best. 
Our list is made up of the most desirable varieties suited 
for growing wherever melons can be grown. 
In sections where the summer is short, seed can be planted 
indoors or in hot beds by using small boxes, such as berry 
boxes. These can be transplanted to the garden when danger 
of frost is past. If practicable spade in a liberal fork full 
of well rotted manure at the bottom of each hill. The rows 
should be at least 6 feet apart and the hills 3 feet apart in 
the rows. In general the culture is practically the same as 
for cucumber. 
Abel’s Perfection. A large, main-crop variety, varying in shape 
from round to slightly oblong. Pale green skin distinctly ribbed 
and slightly netted; flesh deep salmon, sweet and spicy. Pkt. 10c; 
oz. 35c; y 2 lb. $1.10; lb. $2.00. 
Banana. Melons 15 to 20 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter. 
Thick salmon flesh of delicious flavor. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; t^lb. 80c; 
lb. $1.50. 
Bender’s Surprise. Without doubt one of the finest flavored melons 
we have ever eaten; and we recommend it very strongly. When 
ripe, the skin is a light greenish yellow, the flesh a very deep 
salmon. Slightly oval in shape, with coarse netting. The vines 
are very productive, maturing fruit in about 80 days. Oz. 15c; 
%lb. 45c; lb. $1.25. 
Emerald Gem. Early; small; flesh deep orange, very sweet. The 
best and most popular sort for this section. Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; 
%lb. 55c; lb. $1.00. 
Extra-early Hackensack. Earlier than Hackensack and not quite so 
large. Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; *41b. 55c; lb. $1.00. 
Flat Jenny Lind. Heavily netted fruits, 3% to 4% inches in diameter, 
with crisp, light green flesh of rich flavor. Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; 
%lb. 55c; lb. $1.00. 
Fordhook. Melons grow to a handy size and are very attractive. 
They are round, flat, and thick, with bright orange-salmon flesh. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; %lb. 55c; lb. $1.00. 
Hale’s Best. Since its introduction this variety has displaced some 
of the older popular favorites by its outstanding merit. An early 
melon, ripening in 75 to 80 days. The nearly round fruits are 
normally 6 to 6 Vs inches long, densely covered with medium heavy 
netting and are almost devoid of ribbing. The flesh is very thick 
and fine grained, deep salmon-pink in color and richly flavored. 
Oz. 15c; *41b. 45c; lb. $1.25. 
Hearts of Gold. One of the most popular medium sized melons. It 
follows the earlier varieties, and it is very fine to plant for suc¬ 
cession as it ripens in about 100 days. The fruits are 5 to 6 
inches in diameter. The smooth orange-salmon flesh is exceptionally 
thick and fine flavored. Pkt. 10c; oz. 15c; ^4 lb. 45c; lb. $1.25. 
Rocky Ford. Skin green, turning to a peculiar gray color when the 
melon is fit for use. It weighs about 1 V 2 pounds. A firm, solid, 
sweet, tasty variety. Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; %lb. 55c; lb. $1.00. 
Spicy. Quite uniform fruits, measuring from 8 to 10 inches long and 
6 to 7 inches in diameter. Flesh deep rich salmon and tender. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; y 2 lb. 80c; lb. $1.50. 
MUSTARD 
This is a very quick growing foliage plant that is raised principally 
for greens. It is related to the turnip and the leaves are much like 
turnip tops in flavor but are more tender and the stems are not 
so long nor so coarse. Mustard greens have a rich flavor and are 
fully as healthful and nutritious as spinach. 
Seed may be sown from early spring to midsummer in rows 18 
inches apart. Thin to 5 or 6 inches apart in the rows. The plants 
are in condition for use as soon as the leaves are the size of one’s 
hand. Mustard runs to seed quickly, so successive plantings are 
necessary for a continuous supply. 
Fordhook Fancy. The plume-like leaves of this variety are closely 
curled and finely fringed. The medium yellowish-green color and 
compact erect habit of growth lends a decorative touch to the 
garden and the tender quality and fine flavor of this variety render 
it one of the most desirable for salads and greens. Pkt. 10c; 
oz. 15c; Vilh. 30c; lb. 80c. 
OKRA or GUMBO 
This is commonly grown in the South where it is very popular. 
Seed does not germinate well at cool temperatures and planting 
should be delayed until the ground is warm. Plant in rows about 
2 V 2 feet apart, dropping 4 or 5 seeds to the foot and covering about 
an inch deep. Thin to about IY 2 feet in the row and keep thoroughly 
cultivated. Okra is raised for the pods which are extensively used 
in soups, stews, catsup and other relishes. They are at their best 
when 1 to 3 inches long. 
Kleckley’s Favorite. The plants grow 2% to 3 feet high, close-jointed, 
with ample foliage, and bear smooth white pods of the very finest 
quality at each leaf-joint. Pkt. 5c; oz. 10c; l /41b. 30c; lb. 90. 
ONIONS 
One ounce of seed will sow 100 feet of drill; 5 pounds an acre 
It is probable that no other garden vegetable is used in so many 
ways as the onion. Raw or cooked, alone or in combination with 
other vegetables, it is equally desirable. As an appetizer it has no 
superior and many of the housewife’s cherished recipes would be 
incomplete without it. 
A row or two of onions in the home garden will furnish a supply 
which will continue from midsummer to the following spring. Onions 
are very hardy and the seed will germinate in cool weather. It can 
be planted safely just as soon as the soil can be prepared. Shallow 
planting is advisable, Vi to V2 inch being about right. When 2 or 3 
inches tall the young plants can be thinned enough to prevent crowding. 
They may be thinned when 6 or 8 inches in height and the plants 
which are removed will be ready for use as green onions. From then 
on they can be used as needed and when fully ripened the unused 
bulbs can be stored for winter. 
Wethersfield Large Red. The standard red market variety. Large, 
round, somewhat flattened; flesh purplish white; skin deep purplish 
red. Very productive. The best keeper and one of the most 
popular for general cultivation. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; ^Ib. 65c; 
lb. $2.00. 
Yellow Globe Danvers. An early and abundant cropper. Large, 
very thick bulb, flat or slightly convex bottom, full oval top, with 
small neck, and rich, brownish yellow skin. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; 
Vi lb. 75c; lb. $2.75. 
Mammoth Prizetaker. Enormous bulb, averaging from 10 to 16 
inches in circumference. A good winter keeper. The outside skin 
is of a rich yellow, while the flesh is white, sweet, and tender. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 75c; lb. $2.75. 
Mammoth Silver King. Enormous silvery white Onions of mild 
flavor. Quickly grows to maturity on rich soil and often attains a 
weight of 2 to 3 pounds. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 75c; lb. $2.75. 
Southport Yellow Globe. Form nearly ovoid, regular, and sym¬ 
metrical; mild and pleasant flavor; slightly later than the other 
yellow sorts. Keeps well. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 75c; lb. $2.75. 
Southport White Globe. Handsome, uniformly globe-shaped bulbs 
with firm, fine-grained flesh of mild flavor. Yields abundantly. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; Vi lb. 75c: lb. $2.75. 
Abel’s Prizetaker Onion 
Paste nine 
