*7f’s the Crop that Counts” 
ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA 
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, cylindrical 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; M lb. 75c; Vi 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. 
No. 515 New York—Improved. An early variety well adapted to 
summer and early fall production, resistant to tipburn, slightly 
darker green than other varieties with somewhat more prominent 
ribs. Heads medium large, compact attractive, a development from 
New York No. 12 strain No. 199 of this variety is an improvement 
on the original introduction. Days from sowing seed to marketable 
stage, 75. Pkt. 5c; oz. 25c; l^lb. 75c; y 2 lb. $1.25; lb. $2.00. 
May King. An extremely early, heading sort, for earliest outside 
planting, and for greenhouse forcing. Leaves yellowish green, 
tinged with brown at edges. Heads small, compact with golden 
yellow interior and buttery flavor of fine quality. Days from sow¬ 
ing to marketable stage, 63. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; ^.Ib. 35c; %lb. 55c; 
lb. 90c. 
Black-seeded Simpson. Quick-growing variety with a mass of light 
green, curly leaves of finest quality. A most popular Lettuce. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; ^Ib. 35c; V^lb. 55c; lb. 90c. 
Wayahead. Very early; close heading; large; of superior quality. 
Pkt. 5c; oz 20c; ^Ib. 35c: >^lb. 55c; lb. 90c. 
Iceberg. Solid heads; blanches well. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; 141b. 35c: 
Vzlb. 55c: lb. 90c. 
Improved Salaanander. 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; 141b. 35c: l^lb. 55c: lb. 90c. 
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; 141b. 35c: 141b. 55c; lb. 90c. 
Early Curled Silesia. A favorite curled or loso-leaved sort for the 
home garden. Pkt. 5c: oz. 20c: 141b. 35c; 141b. 55c; lb. 90c. 
Grand Bapids. The crumpled leaves do not make a solid head. 
Forcing sort. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c: 141b. 35c; 141b. 55c; lb. 90c. 
Big Boston. Fine for coldframes or outdoors. Heads large and solid. 
Pkt. 5c: oz. 20c; 141b. 35c: 141b. 55c. lb. 90c. 
New York. Also called Los Angeles and Wonderful. Large, compact 
head with frilled edge and dark green leaves. Pkt. 5c: oz. 20c; 
141b. 35c; 141b. 55c: lb. 90c. 
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. 20c; 141b. 35c; 141b. 55c; 
lb. 90c. 
Abel’s Prizehead. Large, loose heads of crimped and fringed leaves, 
heavily shaped brown. Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; 141b. 35c; 141b. 55c: 
lb. 90c. 
Grand Bapids Lettuce 
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: nz. 20c; 
141b. 45c: 141b. 70c; lb. $1.25. 
Abel’s All the Year Bound. 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; 14 lb. 70c; 14 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. 
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 Bo- 
maine. Sow early and 
tie up to blanch. 
Long-leaved, crisp and 
tender. Pkt. 5c; oz. 
20c: 141 b. 35c: Valb. 
55c: lb. 90c. 
Cos Lettuce 
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. Tlie 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 Die 
garden and the tender quality and fine flavor of this variety render 
it one of the most desirable for salads and greens. Pkt. 5c, 
i W Ih 25e: V!.lb. 40c; lb. 65c. 
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