OUR TWENTY-NINTH SEASON 
——TO OUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS 
We are glad to send you our 1955 Catalog. This is the largest and most complete listing of Hardy Iowa Grown Stock 
that we have ever listed. You will find all the worthwhile varieties listed, the ones that will make your plantings a 
success and show you a profit. 
Prices on most everything have been going higher every month and week. It seems to us that a few dollars invested 
in fruits that you can raise and pick yourself will help in holding down the high cost of living. 
We wish to call your attention to our strawberry listings as we are the largest growers of strawberries in Iowa, 
growing and digging fresh plants for each order. We have several million fine plants again this season with which 
to fill your orders. All plants are machine dug to get all the roots. They are packed in damp spragnum moss so that 
they will reach you safely. OUR STOCK IS STATE INSPECTED AND FOUND FREE FROM DISEASE. STRAWBERRIES 
AND RASPBERRIES DOUBLY INSPECTED. A COPY OF THIS CERTIFICATE ACCOMPANIES EACH ORDER. 
We hope that we may have the privilege of serving you this season. 
Sincerely, THE RIDER NURSERIES. 
Six Good Reasons For Ordering Rider's Hardy lowa Grown Nursery Stock 
1, EXPERIENCE—This is our 29th year in the Nursery business at the same location. We have gained a lot of practical 
knowledge about propagation, growing, and shipping of nursery stock in the past quarter of a century. 
. GOOD SOIL—Over 170 acres of good Iowa river bottom soil for the production of good roots and sturdy top growth. 
. CLIMATE—Our section of Iowa enjoys the longest growing season in the state enabling the plants, shrubs, and trees 
to mature fully and harden gradually to withstand winter. 
. IRRIGATION—Over 50 acres under irrigation. Plenty of water, pumps, pipes and sprinklers to irrigate our fields 
whenever needed. 
. EQUIPMENT—Sprayers, tractors, trucks, fertilizing equipment, available at all times to enable proper growth, harvest, 
and processing of stock. 
. STORAGE FACILITIES—Our new storage was designed to fit our business. Over 10,000 square feet of floor space 
divided into storage cellars, refrigerated storage, sorting, bunching, packaging, office, and parcel post rooms. 
Everything under one roof for efficient handling of your orders. 
HINTS ON STRAWBERRY CULTURE 
Plants should be set as indicated in picture, bearing in mind that plants set too deep often 
suffer heavier losses than those set too shallow, especially on heavy ground that might pack 
around crown atter rain. 
Set plants as early as possible. Strawberries should be set at the first opportunity in the 
spring. 
Avoid ground that was previously in sod as grub damage may be heavy to plants following 
sod or alfalfa. 
Prepare ground thoroughly so that no air pockets are left to dry out roots. 
Water plants after setting if possible. 
Avoid low lying locations with poor air drainage as quite often strawberries will escape 
killing frosts if planted on higher ground. 
Pick berries and blooms from spring set plants the first season 
and from Everbearing until July Ist. 
In general a row spacing of 42 inches with plants 15 to 18 
inches apart in the row will be suitable. 
In mulching berries be sure that the ground is permanently 
frozen before mulching. 
Strawberries are often killed by mulching too early if a 
warm spell follows the application of the mulch. 
NEW GLENMORE STRAWBERRY 
A new variety originated in Canada. Bred for extreme hardiness and ability to 
withstand the severe winters of Canada and the northern states. Here in our Iowa 
climate we find that Glenmore didn't even lose any leaves during winter, although 
the plants were unmulched, and we had temperatures of 20 below. Heavy producer 
of medium size berries similar to Dunlap. A good freezing variety. We recommend it 
very highly to those of you in the north. 
oOo a FF, Wh 
Too Deep——»> / 
Just Rite —» § | 
Too Shallow» 
4 THE RIDER NURSERIES, Farmington, lowa 
