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HO VET’S ILLUSTRATED GUIDE 
TO THE VEGETABLE-GARDEN. 
In again presenting a new Catalogue of Vegetable seeds, we take the opportunity to re-assure 
our customers that we continue to bestow the utmost care on this department of our business. 
All the principal and important home-grown seeds which we do not grow ourselves have been 
raised expressly for us by the most experienced American seed-growers; and such as are not 
successfully grown in our climate are imported from the most relisiblc sources abroad. All new 
varieties, which experience has proved worthy of merit, or which are highly recommended, we 
add yearly to our assortment. We continue, as usual, to test all our seeds before sending them 
out; therefore our customers can fully rely on their good growing qualities. 
VEGETABLE-SEEDS. 
PER PKT. 
ARTICHOKE (Cynara Scolymus). 
German, Artischoke. — French, Artichaui. — Spanish, Alcachofa. 
The Artichoke is a native of the south of Europe, where it is esteemed ns a delicious vegeta¬ 
ble. The Green is the most hardy and prolific, and better adapted for culture in cold climates. 
The heads, in their immature state, and before their thistle-like flowers open, are cut, and boiled 
in salt and water. The edible part is the fleshy substance on the bottom of the scales. They 
are also eaten as salad in a raw state. 
Culture. —The Artichoke may be grown from seeds or offset suckers, separated early in 
spring. To obtain a supply from seed, sow in April in a bed of good rich earth, in drills one 
inch deep, and about twelve inches apart. It should be transplanted the following spring to a 
f iermancnt place. The plants should stand two feet apart each way, require a deep, rich, moist 
oam. and should be protected with leaves or straw during winter. 
Large Globe. A very large sort, much esteemed. Ileads or buds very large, nearly round, 
and with a dusky-purplish tint. Per oz. 60 cts.10 
Green Globe. Heads large, of a conical or oval form; scales deep-green, thick, and fleshy; 
pointed at the tips, and turned outwards. Per oz., 60 cts.10 
Jerusalem. Produces tubers resembling potato. Cultivated by planting tubers as early as 
the ground will admit; used for pickling. Per lb.25 
ASPARAGUS (Asparagus Officinalis). 
German, Spargel. — French, Asperge. — Spanish, Esparrago. 
Culture. — Sow the seed early in spring, one inch deep, and three or four inches apart, in 
rows one foot apart. When two years old, they may be transplanted into permanent beds, the 
plants placed a foot apart in each direction, and at least four inches beneath the surface. 
To make it “ Giant,” bo particular to select for the bed warm, rich soil. Trench it at least 
eighteen inches deep, working in six inches or more depth of well-rotted manure. Every fall, 
cover the bed with manure, and in spring dig it in lightly, care being taken not to disturb the 
roots. 
Fine Asparagus beds mav be formed by sowing the seed where it is to remain. With this 
end in view, sow the seed in beds prepared as directed above. Sow the seed in rows twelve 
inches apart. When a year old, thin out the plants to one foot apart. 
Conover’s Colossal. This remarkable variety was raised on Long Island, and has been thor¬ 
oughly tested alongside of the best selected stock of both foreign and home-growu seeds. 
On the same soil, and with the same cultivation and manure, it has made fully four 
times the growth of the common Asparagus of the same age. 
It is such a vigorous grower, that, at two years old from the seed, it will invariably 
send up from fifteen to forty sprouts, from one-half to one and a half inches in diameter; 
consequently Asparagus maybe cut for market or family use at leapt a year in advance 
of the ordinary sort. Per lb., S1.00 Per oz., 10 cts.5 
Giant Purp 1 ® Top. Sprout white; top, as it breaks ground, purple; grows to a good size; 
excellent. Per lb., 76 eta.; per oz., 10 cts. . ..£ 
83 
