“It’s the Crop that Counts” 
ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA. 

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 mois- 
ture, and steady growth from the time the 
seeds are planted until the heads are ready 
to use. A check in growth from lack of 
pabe Sgsio e or moisture usually means no 
ead. 
The most satisfactory results will be ob- 
tained from growing lettuce in cool weather; 
the seed should therefore be sown in boxes 
indoors or in 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 ap- 
plication of fertilizer, such as nitrate of 
soda, used after the plants have made some 
growth will be found very beneficial. 
IMPERIAL 44. Crisp-head. Best header in 
hot weather (80 days). Imperial 44 is the 
most dependable header for eastern condi- 
tions that has been discovered to date. 
The head is of the crisp Imperial type, 
very solid, slightly flattened and of good 
market type and quality. If your planting 
of head lettuce is delayed until late spring, 
Imperial 44 is your safest choice. 
Pkt. 15c; oz. 40c; %41b. $1.00; lb. $1.90; 
lb. $3.50. 
IMPERIAL 847. Crisp-head (84 days). This 
lettuce was intended for use in the Im- 
perial Valley but has really found its 
place in the East. Produces a medium 
sized, crisp, dark green head that is of 
remarkably fine quality. Resistant to heat 
and other unfavorable conditions. You 
should try Imperial 847 if you have trouble 
growing head lettuce. 
Pkt. 15c; oz. 40c; 441b. $1.00; Yelb. $1.90; 
lb. $3.50. 
NEW YORK 515. Crisp-head. The earliest 
heading lettuce of the New York type 
(72 days). A little earlier than New York 
12, which it resembles in general appear- 
ance. The large heads are solid, bright 
green in color, bleach to a beautiful white; 
always crisp, juicy and sweet. New York 
515 has been bred for resistance to tip- 
burn and will stand hot weather better 
than others of the New York type. It 
also makes wonderful heads in the fall 
from late summer sowings. This is a 
strain of New York (commonly called Ice- 
berg by shippers) which is very success- 
ful for most gardeners. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 40c; 141b. $1.00; YQlb. $1.90; 
lb. $3.50. 
BLACK-SEEDED SIMPSON The best cut- 
and-come-again leaf lettuce (45 days). 
Widely grown loose-leaf or cutting lettuce 
with broad, light green, frilled and crum- 
pled outer leaves; the center leaves blanch 
almost white. Growth is rapid and the qual- 
ity of the crisp, tender leaves is excellent. 
Should be in every garden where loose 
leaf lettuce is desired. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; Ylb. 60c; YZlb. $1.00; 
lb. $1.50. 
EARLIEST WAYAHEAD. The earliest but- 
terhead lettuce; always sweet and crisp 
(70 days). Attractive tightly folded heads 
of medium size with bright green outer 
leaves while the inner leaves blanch to an 
appetizing rich buttery yellow. Heart is 
firm, creamy white, of excellent quality and 
sweet flavor. Highly valued for planting 
in frames early in the spring, or for grow- 
ing in the garden for an early or fall crop. 
As it holds its color nicely and stays crisp 
and tender longer than any varieties, Way- 
ahead has become a favorite with home and 
market gardeners. 
lb. 50c; Ylb. 85c; 
Pkt, 10cs\-oz. 20c; 
lb. $1.50, 
ICEBERG. The Original. Very popular 
crisp-head, tender lettuce for the home 
garden (75 days). The original Iceberg 
as offered here makes large, handsome 
heads of light green curled leaves with 
reddish tinged edges; hearts are crisp, 
tender, silvery white and of good quality. 
Must not be confused with the familiar 
LETTUCE 

New York 
New York or Wonderful lettuce which is 
commonly called Iceberg by growers, ship- 
pers, and some merchants. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; %4lb. 50c; Ylb. 85c; 
lb. $1.50. 
IMPROVED HANSON. A crisp-head lettuce 
which withstands extreme weather (73 
days). One of the earliest of the crisp- 
head lettuces. Entirely free from any 
bitter taste; is always crisp, tender and 
of a sweet flavor, not only in the well- 
blanched white heart but also in the 
outer leaves. Heads are large, quite broad, 
slightly flattened, the outer leaves being 
bright green. Its reliability for sure head- 
ing, even during midsummer, is widely 
known and has given it much of its de- 
served popularity. A wonderful home 
garden variety which is noted for its sure 
heading qualities even during hot weather. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; Ylb. 50c; Yelb. 85c; 
lb. $1.50. 
GRAND RAPIDS. Black-Seeded Simpson’s 
nearest rival (45 days). The easiest to grow 
of all lettuces. Forms a large bunch of 
intensely crimped and curled leaves which 
are exceedingly tender, crisp and sweet. 
Grown extensively under glass during the 
winter and valuable for growing outdoors 
during the spring, summer and fall. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; %4lb. 40c; Mlb. 60c; 
lb. $1.10. Larger quantities—5 lbs. $1.00, 
10 lbs. 95c, 25 lbs. 90c, per pound. 
WHITE BIG BOSTON—Butterhead. Im- 
provement on Big Boston; free of any red 
tinge (72 days). Large, uniform, solid 
heads resembling Big Boston but earlier, 
lighter green in color and without the 
reddish tinge on the outer leaves. Heads 
are tightly folded so that the large, solid 
heart blanches to a bright creamy yellow; 
tasty, crisp and always tender. An excel- 
lent heading lettuce for all seasons and also 
well suited for forcing. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; Wlb. 60c; Wlb. $1.00; 
lb. $1.75. 
NEW YORK or WONDERFUL. Crisp-head. 
Heat resistant, sure cropper, reliable head- 
er (75 days). A largely used lettuce, com- 
monly called Iceberg. It is, however, 
widely different from the original Iceberg. 
The solid, compact heads, well grown in 
rich soil, often measure nearly 1 foot 
across and weigh heavily; outer leaves are 
deep green, heart blanches to a beautiful 
pure white, tasty, crisp and of delicious 
flavor. Plants are deep rooting so are quite 
resistant to heat; does best in spring and 
fall, but for main summer crop it has no 
equal. We do not recommend it for forcing. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 40c; lb. $1.00; Yelb. $1.90; 
lb. $3.50. 
NEW YORK 12. Crisp-head. An improved 
selection from the original New York or 
Wonderful (75 days). When properly 
grown on rich soil, heads grow very large, 
10 to 12 inches across, almost round and as. 
solid as a cabbage. Leaves are dark green, 
the outer ones notched and slightly curled 
on the edges; the inner leaves are tightly 
folded, well blanched to a beautiful silvery 
white, crisp, sweet and tender. Has proved 
to be well adapted for successful growing 
in almost any locality in early spring or 
late summer and fall. We do not, however, 
recommend it for forcing. It is remarkable 
for its uniformity, sureness of heading, and 
attractive appearance. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; %4lb. 50c; YWlb. 85c; 
lb. $1.50. 
EARLY PRIZE HEAD. One of the best 
known loosehead lettuces (45 days). Forms 
large, tender, crisp, loose heads of bright 
green, attractively curled and crimped 
leaves,ethe outer ones having an overlay of 
brownish red. They have a decidedly sweet 
flavor, exceptionally crisp and _ tender. 
Valuable for the home garden, and in a 
class with Black-Seeded Simpson and 
Grand Rapids. 
WYlb. 50c; lb. 85c3 
Pkt. wO0cs) oz,. 20c; 
Ib. $1.50. 
ROMAINE or COS. Distinct type, crisp, ten- 
der, and sweet (68 days). Paris White. 
Sometimes called Celery Lettuce because 
of its upright growth, the long, tender, 
light green leaves enclosing a well-blanched 
elongated heart. This Cos lettuce is self- 
closing so that it does not need tying up 
in order to blanch the center leaves, or 
heart, which have a refreshing, snappy 
flavor. It will stand more hot weather than 
other lettuces. 
Pkt. 10c; 0z. 25c; Yalb. 60c; rb. $1.00; 
Ib. $1:75. 
ABEL’S ALL THE YEAR ROUND. A va- 
riety for sowing in the fall for wintering 
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. 10c; 0z. 30c; %4lb. 70c; Ylb. $1.10; 
Ib. $1.75. 
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 sowing to marketable stage, 63. 
Pkt. 10c; 0z. 20c; %4lb. 60c; Yelb. $1.00; 
lb. $1.75. 
BLACK SEEDED TENNISBALIL or SALA- 
MANDER. An especially fine Lettuce form- 
ing solid heads of superb quality, large size, 
and nearly round form, with a golden yellow 
heart protected by broad, crumpled outer 
ee medium ats color. 
fs Gs Oz. S0Cs lb. 70c; lb. $1.10; 
lb. $1.75. fee Fh ah dae 
EARLY CURLED SILESIA. A favorite curled 
or loose-leaved sort for the home garden. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; lb. 40c; YWlb. 60c; 
lb. $1.10. Larger quantities—5 lbs. $1.00, 
10 lbs. 95c, 25 Ibs. 90c, per pound. 
BIG BOSTON. Fine for coldframes or out- 
doors. Heads large and solid. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 20c; %4lb. 50c; Alb. 85c.; 
lb. $1.50. 
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. 25¢c; Wlb. 75c; Wlb. $1.25; 
lb. $2.00. 
KOHL-RABI 
The edible part is the turnip-shaped bulb 
formed above the ground. It is tender and 
excellent when used before being fully grown, 
combining somewhat the flavors of cabbage 
and turnips. Seed should be sown in light, 
rich soil as early in spring as possible in rows 
1% feet apart and when well established thin 
to 6 inches apart in the row. Plantings at 
intervals of 10 days will give succession until 
hot weather, when they fail to grow well. 
Plantings made the latter part of July for 
fall use. 
EARLY WHITE VIENNA. An early, smooth, 
white, medium-sized variety having few 
leaves. Ready for use in about 10 weeks. 
PEE 2O0cy “oz. .40c. 
EARLY PURPLE VIENNA. 
Early White Vienna. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 40c. 
Later than 
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