ABEL’S SEED HOUSE, READING, PA. 
Vegetable Seeds 

EGGPLANT 
This is a semi-tropical plant which requires continuous warm 
weather for best results. The seed germinates slowly and should 
be started in a hot bed. The plants may be set out in the open 
ground when 2 inches tall if continued warm weather is in prospect 
Space the plants 2% to 3 feet apart. Young plants should be shaded 
from hot sun and sprayed with Paris Green as a protection from po- 
tato bugs. 
Black Beauty. Fully 10 days earlier than Improved New York Spine- 
less. Healthy grower and large fruit. , 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 30c; oz. 55c; lb. $1.80. 
Extra Early Long Purple. A very early and productive variety with 
fruit eight inches long and about 2% inches thick. The color is 
very dark purple, almost black, and very smooth. It is difficult 
to find a good strain of this variety, and we have been very for- 
tunate in obtaining our stock. It has’ pleased the most critical 
market gardening trade. 
Pkt. 10c; ¥0z. 30c; oz. 55c; lb. $1.80. 
Improved New York Spineless. Quite free from spines. Fruit of large 
size and perfect form. Two weeks earlier than the old variety. 
Pkt. 10c; %0z. 30c; oz. 55c; Yslb. $1.80. 
KALE or BORECOLE 
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 culture 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 re- 
garded by many as at their best after the first heavy frosts. 
Dwarf-curled Scotch Kale. This is the variety usually sown in the 
fall for spring markte. It is low-growing with finely curled leaves 
of deep green. 
Pkt. 10c; oz. 40c. 
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; %lb. 40c; Wlb. 75c. 
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% feet apart, dropping 4 or 5 seeds to the foot and covering about 
an inch deep. Thin to about 1% 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. 15c; %lb. 25c; lb. 45c; lb. 75c. 
Parsnips grow best in a loose rich sandy loam but will make 
good roots in any soil, that is reasonably rich and deep. Stony 
soil and coarse raw manure is apt to produce branched or misshapen 
roots. The seed requires steady and abundant moisture for germi- 
nation and should be sown as early as practicable. Sow in rows 
2 to 2% feet apart and when well up, thin to about 5 inches apart 
in the row. Keep the ground moist if possible. Parsnips are improved 
rather than injured by freezing, and a portion of the crop can be 
left in the ground all winter to be used as a spring vegetable when 
the ground has thawed. 
Long Smooth (Hollow Grown). A large cropper that is tender, sugary, 
and popular for general cultivation, but requires a deep soil. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 15c; VAtb. 45c; Yalb. 75c; lb. $1.40. 

Long Smooth 
Page eight 

Abel’s Perfection 
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 practi- 
cable 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. 5c; 0z. 20c; lb. 60c; lb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Banana. Melons 15 to 20 inches long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter. 
Thick salmon flesh of delicious flavor. 
Pkt. 5c; 0z. 20c; W%lb. 60c; W%lb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
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. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; %lb. 60c; Ylb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Emerald Gem. Early; small; fiesh deep orange, very sweet. 
best and most popular sort for this section. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; %4lb. 60c; Ylb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Extra Early Hackensack. A well known first early sort for home 
garden and truckers for local markets. Fruits large, globular, 
flattened, weigh 2% pounds, heavily ribbed with coarse netting. 
Flesh green, thick, of good quality. 
Pkt. 5c; 0z. 20c; %lb. 60c; Ylb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Flat Jenny Lind. Heavily netted fruits, 3% to 4% inches in diameter, 
with crisp, light green flesh of rich flavor. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; lb. 60c; lb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
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. 20c; Ylb. 60c; YWlb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
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% inches long, densely covered with medium heavy 
netting and are almost devoid of ribbing. The flesh is very thick 
y and fine grained, deep salmon-pink in color and richly flavored. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Y%lb. 60c; Y%lb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
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. 5c; oz. 20c; Alb. 60c; Ylb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Honey Dew. 110 days. (Green Flesh). The wellknown green fleshed 
melon for warm climates; will not do well in the north or east. 
Smooth, ivory colored skin. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; lb. 60c; Ylb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Rocky Ford. Skin green, turning to a peculiar gray color when the 
melon is fit for use. It weighs about 1% pounds. A firm, solid, 
sweet, tasty variety. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; %lb. 60c; Wlb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
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. 20c; lb. 60c; Yelb. $1.00; lb. $1.90. 
Osage or Miller’s Cream. Excellent for home and market garden 
use for local markets, not a good shipper. Fruits oblong, weigh 
6 pounds. Exterior very dark green, deeply ribbed, covered with 
slight grey netting. Flesh exceptionally thick, rich orange-salmon, 
tender, sweet, juicy. Length 7 inches, diameter 6 inches. Days 
from planting to picking, 95 days. 
Pkt. 5c; oz. 20c; Wlb. 60c; Yolb. $1.00; Ib. $1.90. 
The 
