Historic, Archive Document
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ALFALFAS
SEED CORN
FIELD SEEDS
Since tlie establishment of the Dakota Improved Seed Co., the home of
Disco Guaranteed Seeds has grown so that almost every year added improve-
ments as well as increased space and facilities have been necessary to take
care of the rapidly growing business. Even with the tremendous increase in
labor and material costs, we were again forced to increase our capacity.
Neither time nor money has been spared in bringing this equipment up
to the most modern standard, so as to enable us to handle all kinds of field
seeds with accuracy and dispatch for our .constantly growing list of custom-
ers. Again, this enables us to insure better quality in our seeds and we
overlook no opportunity to take advantage of the most modern equipment to
insure a standard of quality in seeds that is bound to make the DISCO trade
mark the BUY word in all that is good in seeds.
This Company was organized for the purpose of growing and distribu-
ting reliable field seeds. These seeds are grown for us in South Dakota by re-
liable growers under our supervision. That its work is well founded is proven
in the steady increase in volume of business.
“DISCO GUARANTEED SEEDS” are recognized by all leading agricul-
tural experts in the United States as being superior Northern Grown Field
Seeds. We possess a particular advantage in this respect because of our loca-
tion and because we hold rigidly to our policy and specialize in Hardy Pedi-
greed and Registered Alfalfas, Sweet Clover, Grasses and Improved Early Va-
rieties of Seed Corn.
Read this book carefully. It tells the plain truth about “DISCO GUAR-
ANTEED SEEDS” and will interest you.
DAKOTA IMPROVED SEED CO.
By W. S« HILL* President and Treasurer
January, 1920.
PRICE
LIST
January 1, 1920.
United States Food Administration License Number G-41870.
The prices given herewith are those in effect January 1, 1920, and as near as we can antici-
pate them for the season. All prices are subject to market changes. We invite correspondence
on seeds where prices are likely to vary, or on any seed where large quantities are desired.
All prices quoted are f. o. b. Mitchell, S. D. Freight or express to be paid by customer. If
delivered prices are required, write us and we will quote delivered prices. In ordering by parcel
post, your postmaster will tell you in what zone from Mitchell you are located, so that your
remittance will include the postage.
PRICES SUBJECT TO MARKET CHANGES.
DISCO REGISTERED ALFALFAS
Per lb.
Per 100 lb.
Per bu.
60 lb.
Disco
26
$ .55
$50.00
$30.00
Disco
28
55.00
33.00
Disco
38
54.00
32.80
Disco
79
53.00
31.80
Disco
80
52.00
31.20
(Registered
Alfalfas described on
page 5)
DISCO PEDIGREED ALFALFAS
Lots up
to 30 lbs.
Over
30 lbs.
Per pound
Disco Grimm $ .85 $ .75
Disco Baltic 90 .80
Disco 19A (special selection of
Grimm) 90 .80
Disco 11C (special selection of
Baltic) 1.00
(See pages 6 and 7 for full description)
COMMERCIAL ALFALFAS
Dakota grown Per lb. Per 100 lb. Per bn.
Disco Brand .....$ .50 $48.00 $28.80
Emerald Brand 48 45.00 27.00
(Description on page 8)
SWEET CLOVERS
White Blossom, hulled Disco Brand $
White Blossom, hulled Emerald Brand....
White Blossom, unhulled
Yellow Blossom, hulled
All hulled seeds scarified.
(See pages 10 and 11 for full description)
DISCO CLOVERS
Per lb.
.35
.30
.22
.34
Per lb.
Per 100 lb.
Disco Brand Medium Red ...
$58.00
Emerald Brand Medium Red.
... .60
57.00
Disco Brand Mammoth Red .
65
60.00
Alsike
58.00
White or Dutch Clover
75.00
DISCO TIMOTHY AND GRASS SEEDS
Per 100 lb. Per bu.
45 lb.
Timothy $15.00
Timothy, Alsike mixed (y3 Al-
sike, % Timothy) 26.00
Timothy, Red Clover mixed (%
Clover, % Timothy) 29.00
Timothy, Alsike mixed (1-10
Alsike, 9-10 Timothy) Per bushel
$ 6.75
11.70
13.05
Permanent Pasture Mixture
Permanent Meadow Mixture
Red Top, Solid Seed ....................
Kentucky Blue Grass, 21 lb. seed
Slender Wheat Grass
English Blue Grass or Meadow Fescue .
Perennial Rye Grass
Crested Dogs Tail
Orchard Grass
Bromus Inermus
Disco Lawn Grass
(Described on pages 25 and 26)
We do not send out corn unless our
..$8.00
Per lb.
..$ .27
27
.. .27
. . .35
. . .28
.. .40
.. .22
.. .30
.. .35
.. .35
.. .37
BAGS WEIGHED IN FREE.
DISCO CANES
Per lb.
. ..$ .15
Dakota Amber Sorghum Cane
Fodder Canes
Dakota Early Fodder Cane 08
Southern Grown Fodder Cane 07
Feterita 08
Kaffir 08
Milo Maize 08
Sudan Grass .20
(See pages 20 and 21)
DISCO MILLETS
Per 100 lb.
Common, 50 lb. per bu $6.00
Golden, 50 lb. per bu 7.00
Dakota Kursk, 50 lb. per bu 7.00
Siberian, 50 lb. per bu 6.50
Proso, 50 lb. per bu 5.00
Hog or Broom Corn, 50 lb. per bu 5.00
Early Fortune, 50 lb. per bu 6.00
Japanese or Billion Dollar Grass, 36 lb.
Per bu io.OO
(See page 22 for full description)
PEAS AND BEANS
Per bu.
Canada Field Peas $5.50
Soy Beans 8.00
Navy Beans 7.50
Japanese or Silverhuil Buckwheat (Page
23) cwt 7.00
Rape, per 100 lbs 15.00
Annual Hog Pasture Mixture (See page
30) per 100 lbs .10.00
Mammoth Long Red Mangel, per lb 70
MISCELLANEOUS
Per \y\i
Swedish Select Oats $135
Postia Imnorted Swedish Oats ... .. 1*40
60- Day Kherson Oats ... ... . 1 30
Barley, Mansury 2*35
Barley, Oderbrucker 2 35
(See page 27)
Marquis Wheat 4 00
Kubanka Wheat .... ....... .. . s'75
Durum Wheat . ** 3*75
Turkey Red Winter Wheat Ask for prices
Speltz, 42 lbs . 1 90
(See page 28)
Spring Rye 2 25
Amber Winter Rye Write for prices
Flax Seed 5 50
(See page 29)
SEED CORN
Shelled and Graded Price per bu
Riverview Special Yellow Dent (page 12) $5.00
Disco 90-Day White Dent (See page 13)... 5.00
Minnesota 13 Yellow Dent (See page 14).. 5 00
Disco Early Murdock Yellow Dent (pg. 15) 5 00
Wimples Yellow Dent (See page 15) 5 00
antee on corn found on inside of back cover.
Disco Pride, Yellow Dent (See page 16).
Northwestern Dent (See page 17)
Djsco White Flint (See page 18) !
Disco Gehu Flint (See page 18)
Disco Squaw Flint (See page 18) !'.!!!
Disco Early Fodder (See page 19)
Disco Medium Fodder (See page 19)
Sweet Fodder Corn bu. 46 lb. (See page 19)
Pop Corn White Rice, per lb
germination tests show 90% or better
5.00
5.00
6.00
6.00
6.00
3.50
3.50
6.50
.12
Read our guar-
DAKOTA IMPROVED SEED CO., MITCHELL, S. D.
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oc Improved Seeds The Northwest
A glimpse of our cleaning facilities.
DISCO CLEANING FACILITIES ARE THE BEST.
This battery of cleaning machinery
contains the Mammoth Clipper Cleaner
(at the left of the picture) through which
all DISCO Guaranteed Seeds must pass to
insure DISCO quality. This is the most
modern type of suction, screen and blast
cleaner. After the seed has been cleaned
oy this mill once (or twice, if necessary),
it passes over the little gravity mill (at the
right of the picture) where the seed is
separated by gravity. This gravity sepa-
rator is the last word in efficient cleaning
machinery. The seed is separated accord-
ing to weight, — thus eliminating all small,
light or dead seed and turning out only
the big, plump, bold berry, which makes
DISCO Quality.
Through the efficiency of this cleaning
system and our improved methods of
handling and working the various kinds
of seed through our warehouse, we have
been able to set a standard of quality that
is very hard to beat.
SEEDMEN’S RESPONSIBILITY.
There is no line of commercial activity
in which the buyer is so dependent upon
the judgment and responsibility of the
seller as in the seed business. The quality
of seeds cannot be judged by their appear-
ance, for generally speaking, good and
poor seed all look alike. The buyer inay
be able to pass judgment on color, plump-
ness and freedom of weed seeds and for-
eign matter, but he cannot judge vitality,
trueness to type of productiveness. For
these all-important essentials the buyer
must depend upon the merchant. The
grade and variety in most cases is con-
sistent with the price he pays. The great
majority of the public, however, are fast
becoming educated to the advantage of
using high quality seed as they realize
that big crops cannot be produced by
seed of inferior quality.
Therefore, buy DISCO Guaranteed
Seeds and get the best.
For Prices See Special Sheet Tnside of Front Cover.
1
Dakota Improved Company
Three Famous Disco Alfalfas
Alfalfa and Lucerne
There is a wonderful history to the
“Wonder Crop of the World” Alfalfa.
Only a few people are yet acquainted with
alfalfa or the history of the plant. If ev-
ery farmer in the United States knew the
possibilities that lie in the production of
this Wonder Crop, seed enough could not
be produced to supply the demand for
years to come.
Stop! Think a moment! Do you realize
alfalfa history dates back as far as 490
B. C. where we find its original home in
Asia. The word “alfalfa” is of Arabic
origin, meaning “The Best Fodder.’’ The
old patriarchs of those days “stopped
to think” and realized the exceptional
value of this Wonder Crop. And with
their crude methods saved the seed, tilled
the soil, increased their acreage and pro-
vided food for their flocks.
Their dissatisfied brothers migrated
from one country to another very much
as the people of the world do today.
Some of the more progressive ones car-
ried with them alfalfa seed, and so it
found its way to all parts of the world.
It has made wonderful progress in Amer-
ica. Alfalfa can be grown in every State
in the Union. It is no longer an experi-
ment and the happy American farmer,
who is growing it, rightfully calls it the
“Wonder Crop of the World.”
Talking about alfalfa — thinking about
alfalfa — and dreaming about what alfalfa
might do for your farm and flocks will not
get alfalfa for you. Resolve to give Al-
falfa a chance this very year. Get the
Hardy Dakota grown DISCO Registered
or Pedigreed Alfalfa seed and your success
is assured.
Oakland, Maine,
March 28, 1919.
Dakota Improved Seed Co.,
Mitchell, S. D.
I have in some way mislaid your catalogue
and so have not your exact prices. I am
enclosing check for 825.00. Please send me
that value of a good commercial grade of
Alfalfa seed. I have been experimenting
with Alfalfa for some time and while it is
very hard to get a stand, I have never had
any plants, grown from your seed, winter-
kill. I intend to persevere until I make Al-
falfa a standard crop around here. I have
one patch five years old and it is stronger
every year.
Ship to Norridgewock by American Ex-
press. I should have had this check certified
but we are eight miles from the bank so am
taking a chance. If you doubt this eheck
send goods by express, C. O. D.
Yours,
T. A. Woodsum.
(Signed)
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
2
This illustration shows the branched root system and the
wide spreading- crown that is characteristic of the DISCO
Pedigreed varieties of alfalfa.
Looking Ahead For Several Years
That is really what you are doing when
you buy DISCO Hardy Dakota-Grown
alfalfa seed. Looking ahead not only to
the lasting qualities of the seed or plant,
but to its productiveness.
Since the establishment of DISCO over
13 years ago we have spared no effort,
time or money in our alfalfa nursery
plot. That these efforts have been well
rewarded is proven by the fact that we
have been able to select a few very hardy
and productive varieties of alfalfa from
the large number tested and by the aid
of the Agricultural Colleges throughout
the United States have been able to select
four DISCO pedigreed varieties and five
DISCO registered varieties that stand in
a class by themselves. They answer every
possible requirement (according to the
order enumerated) in any section of the
United States.
To illustrate: On the 5th of December,
1919, we received a very pleasing report
on our DISCO Baltic alfalfa from Essex
County, N. Y., where in eight tests for
productiveness and hardiness, in the heart
of the Adirondack Mountains, Baltic took
four firsts, three seconds and one third,
against nine different lots of seed.
DISCO Grimm was not given a trial
but DISCO 19-A took the three first where
DISCO Baltic took second. We wish we
had room to give you full details of these
tests. This was an unsolicited report and
ought to convince you that DISCO Hardy
Dakota-grown alfalfa seed is the kind you
must have to get the best results.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
Hardy Alfalfas
There is a vast difference between hardy
alfalfa and just alfalfa.
There are naturally two distinctive
kinds of alfalfa. One which is termed com-
mon alfalfa, having one long tap root
and the plant producing nearly a true
purple and blue flower. There are hardy
and non-hardy strains of the common al-
falfa. For instance, seed coming from the
South, in Kansas and Missouri will not
stand the severe winters of the North.
The southern seed may make a wonderful
growth the first season, but on account of
its being a non-hardy southern grown
plant, it naturally winter-kills. The hardy
Dakota grown seed is acclimated to the
rigid winters of the North. It is grown in
a territory with a wide range of tempera-
tures and a small amount of moisture and
must be hardy to survive. From this va-
riety comes the Registered DISCO Alfalfa.
The second distinctive variety of alfalfa
is commercially known as the Variegated
alfalfa. This variety has a variegated
blossom and a branch or spreading root
system. The crown of the plant is natu-
rally larger and grows more underground.
There are many different strains of this
variety. The hardiest of all and without
a doubt the best and most favorably
known strains are the Grimm and Baltic
alfalfa. These are known the world over
as being the hardiest alfalfas in every re-
spect. They have an immense spread of
crown, with the underground buds, pro-
tected by the soil and grow in such a way
as to withstand the severe winter weather
without a snow covering. The wonderful
branched or spreading root system enables
it to stand the heaving of the ground
from frost in the spring — enables the
plant to draw more moisture in dry sea-
sons— makes a more desirable plant to
grow on land where the water level is too
high for common alfalfa.
In fact, the Grimm and Baltic alfalfas
with their special selections are the hard-
iest, most desirable, most productive
strains of alfalfa to be had.
On page 7 further description of Grimm
and Baltic alfalfas will be found.
You are sure to get the Genuine Grimm
and Baltic alfalfa when you buy the DIS-
CO Brand Grimm and Baltic.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
/mproveti Seeds
Registered Alfalfa and Why
Sow 10 to 12 lb .
The “DISCO Registration System” enables
us to trace each individual strain of alfalfa
to a definite single origin. Consequently
only the most desirable native or acclimated
stocks are DISCO Registered.
Alfalfa ' lasts for several years (if you
sow DISCO Registered Alfalfa Seed) while
grain is merely a one year crop.
In order for alfalfa to come under the
Established DISCO Registered heading it
must have a known record of growth for
ten years or more in the Dakotas or under
equally severe conditions. Many of these
DISCO Registered stocks have records of
twenty-five years or more. This means the
plant and seed are acclimated, and that you
are not taking the chance of losing your
crop by winter-killing when you buy DISCO
Registered Alfalfa.
Registered Alfalfa
of seed per acre
A seeding of DISCo Registered Alfalfa
Seed will produce the desired results with
a lesser amount of seed. Ten to twelve
pounds per acre of the DISCO Registered
Alfalfa invariably will give you a greater
return than fifteen to twenty pounds of or-
dinary seed.
The advantage to buyers of DISCO Regis-
tered Alfalfa Seed is apparent. For ex-
ample; you purchase some of our registered
seed and sow it, you get fine results. You
would like to get more of the same kind.
By means of our registration system and
our method of keeping a careful record of
all orders, and even though years have
elapsed we are able to send you the same
kind of seed.
Well Established
DISCo No. 28 alfalfa without a doubt,
heads the list of registered seed. It has
been grown in southern Meade and Pen-
nington Counties, South Dakota, for over
thirty years, under most adverse conditions
as to severe cold and drought.
Some of the old fields are still producing
excellent crops. It is a strong grower and
develops a very strong crown and prolific
plant. There is a very much increased de-
mand for this seed every year. “Once Used
Always Used’’ are the sentiments of the
purchasers of DISCO 28. Our stock of this
seed is rather limited this year but is of
the usual good quality.
DISCO No. 38 is a close rival of DISCO 28.
It has been grown in western Meade and
Southern Butte Counties for over twenty-
five years. We have distributed large
quantities of this seed and especially favor-
able reports have come from Oregon and
other extremely Western states where it is
being used in drier regions without irriga-
tion. You won’t go wrong if you use DISCO
For Prices See Special SI
38. The quality of the seed is fine.
DISCO No. 79 ranks well for third place
It is a native alfalfa of the Black Hills
region having a known record of over twen-
ty years. Comes from the same locality as
DISCO 28. and is doing well all over the
country. It is a wonderful producer of both
hay and seed.
DISCo No. 80. This stock is a native of
Jones and Lyman Counties, South Dakota.
This alfalfa is both drought and cold re-
sistant to a marked degree. The acreage
of this strain is rapidly increasing. We
have a limited stock of this seed on hand,
which is of good quality.
DISCO No. 26 is probably of Turkestan
origin. It has been grown in the northern
half of Meade and southern half of Perkins
Counties, South Dakota, for the past fifteen
years. It has stood the test and ranks well
with the other registered alfalfas. Our
stock of this seed is small, but of good
quality. A good buy for the money.
et Tnside of Front Dover
5
Dakota Improved
Seed Company
Modern Methods Used in the Handling of Grimm Alfalfa in Western South Dakota.
Disco Pedigreed Alfalfa
Over fifteen years have passed since the
work of developing pedigreed strains of
hardy alfalfa was begun by Prof. W. A.
Wheeler at Brookings and Highmore Agri-
cultural Stations, South Dakota.
As a result of this work there has been
produced a number of strains of alfalfa that
show a decided superiority over the common
alfalfas as well as over the parent stocks
from which the pedigreed strains were se-
lected and developed.
When Prof. Wheeler organized the Dakota
Improved Seed Company in 1906 he continued
the work of special plant selection and
breeding of pedigreed alfalfas. This was
the first work of its kind in the country and
we know of no other commercial organizar
tion in the world conducting the kind of
investigational work with alfalfa that we
have done.
These pedigreed strains have found great
favor with the agricultural colleges from
Coast to Coast in the north half of the
(J. S. A. and are worthy of your considera-
tion because of their remarkable records of
hardiness and production.
DISCO 11C.
From the Baltic — DISCO No. lie has prov-
en itself to be the hardiest of the hardy.
This strain is a revelation in perfect and
hardy alfalfas. It is drought resistant to a
marked degree. Recovers quickly after cut-
ting. An exceptionally large and free stool-
ing plant yielding an abundance of leafy
hay. For seed production it has a record
of its own. On one acre where DISCO
11C was seeded in rows three feet apart it
produced in 1917 two hundred and eighty-
six pounds of seed.
This alfalfa is no longer an experiment,
rts native home was on the plains of South
Dakota. It is acclimated and is making a
great reputation wherever tried.
If you want a field of alfalfa that is the
talk of the country, a field that will produce
you more than the ordinary amount of hay,
a field of the hardiest alfalfa known, sow
a few acres of the DISCO 11C.
DISCO 19A.
The DISCO 19A is a special selection from
the Grimm that excels its parent plant in
many ways.
From the hundreds of individual trials
carried on in our alfalfa nursery there were
selected plants, which stood out distinctly
as being heavy seeders, erect and strong in
habits of growth and producing many leafy
branches. Plants with a large productive
crown, underlaid with a strong and spread-
ing or branched root system. By special
selection of this type of plant we have de-
veloped the worth while pedigreed stock
of DISCO 19a, an alfalfa strain with a
known parentage.
This pedigree selection from the famous
Grimm alfalfa has probably been tested at
more experiment stations in a greater num-
ber of states and over a wider area than
any other strictly pedigreed alfalfa tracing
back to any individual plant selection.
From a large percentage of these trials
we have had full reports on DISCO 19A, and
other alfalfas with which it has been tested.
So far the reports received place DISCO 19A
among the leaders for hardiness or produc-
tion of either hay or seed.
The demand for this extra hardy and pro-
lific strain of alfalfa is rapidly increasing.
We have a limited stock of seed from this
excellent pedigreed strain. It is going to
move rapidly. Get your order in early, for
what you need.
G
^Hjff^fmproved Seeds for TheNorf/iwes/^^^^.
Grim Alfalfa— Survival of the Fittest
The Grimm Alfalfa which has been
grown for many years in Minnesota and
the Dakotas, with excellent success, was
brought from Wertheim, Province of Ba-
den, Germany, in 1857, by a farmer named
Wendelin Grimm. This variety has at-
tained increased hardiness since its intro-
duction into these states.
Natural selection or the law of the sur-
vival of the fittest, the strong branched
root system, the immense spread of crown,
underground buds, protected by the soil,
has made Grimm alfalfa famous for its
hardiness and productiveness.
It must be understood that all Grimm
alfalfas that are offered on the market
cannot be considered as a hardy variety
for the North. Grimm Seed coming from
Arizona or the South, while it might be
genuine Grimm, would not withstand the
rigorous winters of the North. Nor is all
the northern grown alfalfa that is offered
on the market as Grimm’s really genuine
Grimm.
At the present time there is a good
acreage of the genuine Grimm alfalfa
grown. The growers are very enthusiastic
over its extreme hardiness and wonderful
productiveness.
The following is an extract from the
Farmers’ Bulletin, No. 757, entitled Com-
mercial Varieties of Alfalfa: “On account
of its superior hardiness, Grimm alfalfa
is particularly recommended for the
northern part of the Great Plains region
and all parts of the Northwest. It has
also proved better able to survive the
winters in the colder portion of the humid
section of the country where winter kill-
ing is a serious factor. The supply of
seed on the market is still rather limited
and commands a high price. As a result
unscrupulous dealers have offered for sale
large quantities of common alfalfa under
the name of Grimm.”
Be wise. Keep this in mind. Purchase
only the northern grown genuine Grimm
alfalfa seed if you want to be fully sat-
isfied. Being specialists in this line you
can absolutely depend on getting the gen-
uine Grimm when you buy DISCO Grimm.
Disco-Baltic Alfalfa
A comparatively new variety of hardy
alfalfa, very similar to Grimm, and rap-
idly being established in the esteem of all
growers.
In describing the Baltic alfalfa, the
authorities of the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, Bulletin No. 757, have this
to say: “While the Baltic differs slightly
from the Grimm, in some minor details,
the two are so similar that it is seldom
possible to distinguish one from the oth-
er. This variety is recommended for sec-
tions where the ordinary strains suffer
considerable loss through winter-killing.
This includes practically the same terri-
tory to which the Grimm is adapted, that
is, the New England States, the greater
part of New York, Michigan, Wisconsin
and Minnesota; the northern Great Plain
states and the northern part of Pennsyl-
vania, New Jersey, Ohio, Indiana, Illi-
nois and Iowa. As in the case of Grimm
alfalfa, the quantity of Baltic seed pro-
duced in the United States is rather lim-
ited and the same precautions are neces-
sary in purchasing it.”
The Dakota Improved Seed Co. are the
promoters and breeders of the Baltic al-
falfa. Therefore, when you place your
order with them for this variety of al-
falfa, you can rest assured you will get
the original DISCO Baltic alfalfa seed.
TESTIMONIAL LETTER
Duvall, Wash., March 13, 1819.
Dakota Improved Seed Co.,
Dear Sirs: —
Enclosed find check for $7.50 for which
please send me some of your Grimm Alfalfa
seed. I got some from you two years ago
and it is doing fine. Send by parcel post to
Duvall, Wash.
Yours respectfully,
H. W. Chapman.
Testimonial from John Wm. Dallavo
Morley, R 3, Mich.
Jan. 18, 1918.
The Dakota Improved Seed Co.,
Mitchell, S. Dak.
Gentlemen
With the “Alfalfa 28” seed I bought of
you last year, I have secured a perfect stand
of Alfalfa on light sandy soil, and it is the
only one in this neighborhood, for miles.
Many attempts have been made to grow
alfalfa here but none have succeeded until
this field was planted.
• I credit much of the good results to the
fine quality of seed obtained from you, and
thank you for good stuff. The germination
was marvelous.
Kindly send me your circular of prices
as I shall want Alfalfa, Red Clover and
Alsike seed this year, and it shall come from
you.
Also please let me know if you wTould care
to have me act as your agent in this com-
munity on a commission basis. I believe I
could sell a good deal of your seed here.
Not so much this year due to high prices,
but more in the future.
Hoping to receive a prompt reply, I shall
remain.
Most truly yours,
(Signed) John Wm. Dallavo.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
7
Dakota Improved
Seed Company
Commercial Alfalfa Seed
The term “Commercial Alfalfa Seed”
is used in connection with the common
Dakota grown alfalfa which does not
come under our headings of DISCO Regis-
tered or Pedigreed alfalfas. Samples of
the commercial alfalfa seed are marked
South Dakota Alfalfa.
Dakota grown alfalfa seed has become
recognized by the leading seed men as a
distinct type. It is also a very popular
variety with the experimental stations
throughout the country. This fact is due
to several things: the weather conditions
in this state are unusually ideal for seed
production; the wide variations as to heat
and cold make a very hardy product.
Ranchers of this state and especially those
west of the Missouri river have combined
the culture of alfalfa with livestock,
many of them maintaining vast fields for
hay and seed, and many of these fields
have been long established.
Dakota alfalfa seed has made an en-
viable reputation in the northern states
because of its general hardiness; seed
from this state being much higher priced
because of the additional value coming
from greater hardiness.
We especially recommend Dakota al-
falfa for northern planting and are spec-
ialists in this line. This seed not only
comes from fields long established, but
from altitudes varying from two to three
thousand feet and from semi-arid re-
gions. The plants are compelled to un-
dergo a natural selection or the survival
of the fittest, and the seed has inherited
the tendency to become vigorous to a
very marked degree. There is absolutely
no questioning the past performance and
the present worth of Dakota alfalfa.
Our Grades of Commercial Seed
Much care is used in the purchase of all
of our field seeds. In the cleaning and
milling process two grades are established
— our DISCO brand and the Emerald
brand. We might quote on one grade only
by blending the two grades but prefer to
keep the highest possible grade as our
DISCO brand, which must meet the re-
quirements of any state or national test,
be clean, plump seed, of good color, ac-
cording to the season, and of high ger-
mination.
The Emerald brand is a very good
grade, in fact, is equal to many of the
so called best grades often sold. The
difference between the real value of this
and the DISCO brand is often only one of
appearance instead of a real difference
in quality.
You always get your money’s worth
when you buy the DISCO or Emerald
brand field seeds.
Purity — Germination Insurance
All our stocks of seeds are sampled to
the State and United States seed-testing
laboratories before shipping. The results
of these tests are used as a basis for the
report on the purity and germination tag
which is attached to every shipment of
DISCO and Emerald brand field seeds.
These tags cover the requirements of
the seed laws of all the States. Every
purchaser is thus assured of an accurate
statement of the quality of his seed.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
S
Improved Seeds for TheNorffiwesT^^k
Essential Points in Growing Alfalfa
1. Select a well drained, well pre- the seed. In many localities both are
pared, well settled seedbed, the richer necessary. In this state it is not prac-
the better. ticed to any extent. So do not become
2. Be sure the seed is hardy, well confused in thinking the culture of al-
cleaned Northern grown seed. Don’t use falfa requires a college education.
seed from unknown or questionable 6. Best to treat an alfalfa field with
sources. care when it comes to pasturing the first
3. Caution: Be careful not to cover year. Wait until the seedbed is well
the seed too deep. From y2 to 1 inch is firmed and the root system well estab-
sufficient. In drilling in BE CAREFUL. lished.
In sowing broadcast, harrow lightly. 7. Don’t give up. Many well known
4. Seeding may be done any time growers have succeeded only by staying
from April to September. Using from 8 with it.
to 20 lbs. of seed per acre. Our Manual “Growing Alfalfa Success-
5. Much good may be derived from fully” treats further on these topics,
adding lime to the soil and inoculating Write for your free copy.
It Pays to Inoculate Alfalfa
- ^ ~ ~ | compared with the weak growth of the
Alfalfa plants from different portions
of the same field, those on the right from
seed inoculated with Legume Bacteria
Culture, those on the left from the same
kind of seed not inoculated. The ruler
is 18 inches long. Notice the stocky
growth, the thick, sturdy roots, and nod-
ule clusters on the inoculated plants as
others.
All authorities on the subject advise
inoculation of the seed or of the soil by
various methods. It is rather costly to
2 inoculate the soil, considering the labor
. in transporting the soil from a neighbor's
field and spreading it over the soft seed-
| bed. It is so much easier to treat the
I seed rather than the seedbed, either by
the Glue Method or better yet, with a
pure culture, at a cost of from 20c to 30c
per acre, depending upon the amount of
% seed sown.
Inoculation places the nitrogen-fixing
bacteria where they are needed and ab-
solutely necessary for a perfect stand. In
old alfalfa growing districts that are
fitted naturally for the growing of alfalfa
the soil already containing lime and bac-
|t teria, further expense in this regard is
useless. This condition prevails in much
of western South Dakota, and in fact, a
large portion of this state and many other
western states. In most of North Dakota,
Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, and states
east of these, very marked results are
often secured from inoculation by pure
culture.
We carry in stock only pure cultures
from alfalfa put up for us in the most
approved form by prominent bacteriolog-
ists, and can be relied upon to accomplish
the desired results.
Prices: Culture for one bushel or 60
lbs., $1.20. Five cultures or enough for
300 lbs., $4.50.
Forest City. Ia.
Jan. 7, 1818.
Gents:
The Iowa State College referred me to you
for genuine Grimm alfalfa seed.
Yours resp.,
Hans J. Hclvig.
Fowlerville, Mich.
Dakota Seed Co., Dec. 29, 1917.
Mitchell, S. D.
Gentlemen :
Our Agricultural College referred me to
you as a reliable firm where Grimm alfalfa
can be obtained. Yours,
H. G. Aldrich.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
9
» Dakota Improved
Seed Company
Sweet Clover no Longer a Despised Weed
Sow from 12 to 20 lbs. per acre.
For many years we have observed sweet
clover, melilotus or bee clover, as it is
often called, growing voluntarily under
adverse conditions, by the roadside, in
fence corners, along the ditches in ir-
rigated sections and on unoccupied lands
in nearly every state. It has been com-
monly considered as a weed and a great
nuisance but in spite of the prejudice
against it, and misunderstanding regard-
ing its agricultural values, many experi-
ments have been conducted within com-
paratively recent years to ascertain its
adaptability, feeding value, and effect
upon the soil which definitely determined
its importance as a farm crop.
White blossom sweet clover is a
biennial, that is, lives but two years un-
less the seed crop at the end of the sec-
ond year is allowed to form and scatter.
For this reason, sweet clover is well
adapted to fit into crop rotation. Many
prefer the white blossom variety because
it is a very rank grower and excellent for
pasture. There are those, however, who
will sow only Yellow Blossom (melilotus
officinalis) claiming for it earlier yields,
a finer quality of hay and the seed is
usually lower in price.
Its adaptability to soil and climatic con-
ditions are particularly a strong feature
in its favor. It will endure greater ex-
tremes of temperature and grow on soils
too poor for alfalfa and under conditions
where other grasses failed to produce a
crop before it.
For an all-around money crop, hay
crop, pasture crop, or soil-builder, sweet
clover is a wonder. Therefore, before
you condemn it, consider the following
facts:
. 1. It is not a weed.
2. Like alfalfa it is rich in protein.
3. It will not bloat cattle or sheep.
4. Equal to alfalfa for pasture.
5. It is a great milk-producer.
6. Furnishes early spring pasture.
7. Fits well in crop rotation.
8. Is a great soil enriching crop.
9. Is a valuable plant for honey-bees.
10. Prepares the soil for alfalfa.
11. Roots are soft and give no trouble
in plowing.
12. Roots being tender become inoculated
more readily than alfalfa.
13. Never damages cultivated crops.
14. Its roots decay rapidly adding much
nitrogen and humus to the soil.
15. Grows and will produce a crop in all
parts of the United States.
16. Seeds freely in both humid and dry
sections.
17. Will grow under conditions where
clover and alfalfa fail.
(a) On land too low, too wet or too
alkali for alfalfa.
(b) On land too hard and compact for
alfalfa.
Credit is due Mr. P. G. Holden, Direct-
or Agr. Ext. Dept., I. H. C. of New Jer-
sey, Harvester Bldg., Chicago, for the
foregoing facts.
Use a nurse crop or not with sweet
clover. Sow very shallow in a well pre-
pared seedbed. Early spring — even when
there is a light skiff of snow on the ground
is the best time to sow sweet clover.
SCARIFIED SEED.
Scarified Seed. Probably there are
more hard seeds found in sweet clover
than in other clovers or alalfa. This
percentage can be greatly reduced and the
actual percentage of germination by test
brought up a great deal by scarifying the
seed. We have found from experience
that scarifying sweet clover seed is so
valuable that we are scarifying all our
hulled seed, for which we make no extra
charge. For spring seeding, scarified seed
is much safer to use than unscarified.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
10
«c Improved Seeds
For The Northwest
What Kind of Clover or Legume
Shall I Grow?
It is plain that a shorter-lived legume
than alfalfa is needed to fit into shorter
rotation to help keep the soil in condition.
Of all the annual and biennial legumes
which have been tried, none proved more
profitable than the white flowered sweet
clover. Furthermore, none leave the soil
in better condition for the following crop
than this same sweet clover. The roots
penetrate deeply and widely, forming a
network and mellowing the soil at less ex-
pense than any mechanical form of sub-
soiler or tiller. We know very well that
there is no profitable permanent agricul-
ture or continuous farming possible with-
out clover of some kind or at any rate
without a legume crop of some kind.
Sweet clover has been known for
generations as a roadside weed but only
in recent years has its value been recog-
nized by progressive farmers. Today, it
is a well recognized field crop in many
states and has a special agricultural value
in every state where common red clover
frequently winter-kills or fails to prodjice
a satisfactory crop. Even in states like
Iowa, where red clover is the leading crop,
the sweet clover is becoming popular be-
cause it can be pastured without danger
of bloat and can be fed as dry hay with
less danger than red clover since it has a
smooth stem and does not throw off the
disagreeable dust made up of fine hairs
that the red clover is noted for.
WHAT TO DO WITH SWEET CLOVER.
The most common uses to which the
crop may be put are: hay, seed, pasture,
bee range, and green fertilizer.
FOR HAY.
It will produce two or three crops of
hay with a yield of from one to five tons
per acre depending upon soil and moisture
conditions. It is imperative that sweet
clover hay be cut on time and that means
before it blossoms much. When it begins
to bloom the stalks become coarser, the
fiber becomes woody and the space be-
tween the leaves lengthens. All these
things render the crop unpalatable and
difficult to work with.
There is also a bitter substance known
as cumarin in the plant. When stock first
taste this, they do not like it, but after
becoming accustomed to it, they eat it
readily, as it has no harmful effect.
FOR HAY AND SEED.
With present prices of seed there is a
first rate opportunity to make a profit
from seed production. In favorable sea-
sons, the crop frequently makes from six
to eight bushels of clean seed per acre.
If seed is desired, the first crop should
be cut for hay the same as before. The
second may then be permitted to go to
seed. The second crop usually makes a
finer growth and bears a better seed crop
and is more convenient to harvest and
handle than the first crop would be if per-
mitted to go to seed. (Credit is given
Prof. Manley Champlin, of the South Da-
kota State College for the above.)
We are making a specialty of Sweet
Clover this year and have a large supply
of extra select scarified white blossom
sweet clover. For a short crop rotation,
and a soil builder, carefully consider sweet
clover. Prices on alfalfa and red clover
are very high. Sweet Clover prices very
moderate. Therefore, take advantage of
this golden opportunity to get the clover
that fits so well in crop rotation and makes
the most excellent pasture and hay.
Oaeoma, S. Dak.
Dakota Improved Seed Co.,
Mitchell, S. Dak.
Gentlemen:
I am inclosing an order for seed which
you may forward by express to Oaeoma, S.
Dak.
I wish to state that the seeds which we
purchased of you last year were very sat-
isfactory indeed. They were true to name
and all lived up to their germination test.
Very truly yours,
J. A. Wheeler.
11
Dakota^ Improved
Seed Company
Riverview Special
Without a question Riverview Special
is one of the best 90-day yellow dent va-
rieties of corn offered on the market. It
has been developed, not for the largest
type of corn but for the hardy charac-
teristics which predominate. The ears
will average 8 y2 inches in length with
a girth of 7 inches, with 16 to 18 rows
well carried out at butt and tip. The
shelling percentage of this corn is around
95%. The dent is on the dimple order,
pronounced and yet not too rough. The
color is a rich yellow, grain moderately
deep, and of smooth handsome appear-
ance. The ears are well formed, uniform
and with a moderately strong shank.
The field characteristics are in its favor
with leafy stalks, which attain a height
of 7y2 to 8 feet, with numerous brace
roots. Yields of from 40 to 60 bushels
per acre are not uncommon.
Riverview Special thoroughly matures
in 90 days but 95 days will perhaps be a
safe average. This makes an all-around
dependable variety of corn where early
frosts are common. The southern half
of South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin
and Michigan and the north half of Iowa
For Prices See Special SI
and Illinois cover fairly well the terri-
tory best suited for Riverview Special.
It may also be used to advantage to drill
in early in June for ensilage or fodder.
Three large silos are filled on Riverview
Ranch each fall with Riverview Special.
It fills the bill and suits us as well as our
customers from whom we have numerous
testimonials on file. We have a large sup-
ply of this corn on hand, showing a good
germination. You will not be disap-
pointed if you order Riverview Special.
Disco Seed Co., Mitchell, S. D.
Dear Sirs: 12-28-’19.
Four years ago, I selected from your
varieties of Corn, the Riverview Special,
for the first reason, because it was bred for
this locality, second for its deep grain and
rich yellow in color and now I would recom-
mend this corn by far, ahead in shelling
percentage of any Corn I have ever raised
or heard of, the poorest quality of this I
ever raised shelled out 96% and this season
I had some that graded almost No. 2 and
this shelled out 102%, and I say it’s an
advantage to the Corn growers of the
Northwest to have someone interested in
breeding this corn to that high a standard
as did the Disco Seed Company.
Please send me your catalogue as I am
interested in seed Oats.
Yours truly,
(signed) S. .1. Supalla.
et Inside of Front Cover.
12
OC Improved Seeds
for The Northwest
Disco 90-Day White
Equal in quality, yield and fully as early as Minn. 13. It is especially valuable for
silage purposes having a leafy stalk.
The DISCO 90-day White Dent Corn has
met the approval of more growers of
White Dent Corn than any other strain
of White Corn. For early ripening, great
yield and compact growth of ears, it is
one of the best. Besides being early the
ears are good size and th^ kernels deep
and well shaped. DISCO 90-day White
is admirably adapted to a northern
climate. The stalks attain an average
height of about 8 feet, while the ears
shoot out at about 3 V2 feet from the
ground.
The above photograph shows the hands
of two well satisfied growers of DISCO 90-
day White. Note the type of ear they
are selecting for seed. Such corn as this
can easily be recommended for Northern
Iowa, Illinois, Central South Dakota,
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. It
will undoubtedly mature north of this
line, with care, the first season in saving
the seed until it is acclimated to a more
northern season. We have an excellent
stock of specially selected 90-day White.
Get your orders in early for the extra
select stock.
DISCO 90 Day White Dent.
Kadoka, S. D.
Disco 90-day White Dent corn is
the earliest and the best drought
resister I have seen. Your seeds are
the best I used this year and I like
your way of doing business better
than most seedsmen.
Lewis Stephens.
Kennebec, S. D.
This is my third year sending for
my seeds from your company, and
can say that I have been more than
pleased with all the seeds I have
ordered for I do believe that every
seed which I planted from your house
has grown. I shall use no other
as long as I can get your seeds.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Henry L. Peyton.
For Prices See Special Sheet Tnside of Front Cover.
13
Dakota Improved Company
Minnesota No. 13 Corn
Since its introduction by the Minnesota
Experiment Station in 1896, Minnesota
13 has been distributed across the United
States and is well known everywhere as
an early, worth-while yellow variety of
corn. It is considered to be the best early
yellow type; ears larger in size than Pride
of the North as produced in the Corn
Belt, and fully as early.
In yields, records have been attained
as high as 90 bushels on clover sod. In
Minnesota and the Dakotas the average is
close to 50 bushels, which is very con-
servative.
The ears contain 16 to 18 rows of rich
yellow grains, have a good shelling per-
centage, well filled butt and tip and a
small shank in favor with the husker.
In our strain of Minnesota No. 13 we
aim to retain the earliness of the true
variety by obtaining the seed for our own
planting either directly from the Minne-
sota Experiment Station or from one of
their accredited growers each year. We
thus preserve the type of the experiment
station as nearly as possible, which
would not be the case if we continued
to raise this variety in the vicinity of
Mitchell or south of here from the same
stock year after year.
One field near Mitchell produced good
ripe corn in 87 days from the time it was
planted. It is safe to depend upon Min-
nesota No. 13 in 90 days any year. We
have' a large supply of fine quality Minne-
sota No. 13 which is sure to please you.
Minnesota No. 13 Corn.
Alzada, Mont.
I have bought seeds from you two seasons, once while in N. Dak. All have
proved to be of high germination. Your method of doing business has been satis-
factory to me— filling orders as far as possible promptly and not delaying the
whole order on account of being short on a few, and then forwarding shortage
at the earliest possible time.
Fred J. Engel.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
1 t
Disco-Murdock Corn
Exceptionally Good 100-Day Variety for Northwest
Disco Early Murdock
A variety very similar to our Riverview
Special in color, size of ear and general
make-up. The ears are well formed, shell
off a large percentage of corn, the kernel
is deep and with a large germ. We rec-
ommend Early Murdock for all parts of
northern Iowa, central and southern Min-
nesota, southern and central South Da-
kota, northern Illinois, southern Wiscon-
sin and Michigan.
It is considered one of the most pro-
ductive and as early as any of the deep
kernel varieties. It is well established in
type and is growing in favor with those
who know it. It is one of the most de-
pendable of the later varieties. The stock
attains a growth of from 6 to 8 feet high.
It is a stout, stiff stalk which stands well
in storms. The ears are borne well up
on the stalk. It almost invariably yields
well and with good care and favorable
conditions will give a very large crop.
Wimple’s Yellow Dent
Another prize winner and a variety rec-
ognized as standard in the north half of
the Corn Belt. Has been grown for a
number of years in southeastern South
Dakota close to the boundaries of Iowa
and Minnesota. Won the northern zone
sweepstakes at the National Corn Expo-
sition in 1907 against all comers from
the northern states.
The size of the ear is surprising, an
average ear measuring 9 to 9 y2 inches in
length, 6 V2 to 7 inches in girth and con-
taining 16 tc 18 rows weighing 9 to 12
ounces. Its season is suitable to southern
Minnesota, southeastern South Dakota,
most of Iowa, northern half of Illinois,
southern half of Wisconsin and other lo-
calities having similar seasons.
The Early Murdock is a good corn for
this country. It will ripen here if it has
half a chance. This has been a very poor
year with us for corn, but last year I planted
some June 10th. It did fine and got ripe
early, J. D. Vroom, Howard, S. D.
You sent me one bushel of Early Murdock
corn, it grew good and is the best crop I
ever raised.
D. C. Brooks, Byron, Minn.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
15
[ -flaXro/a Improved Seed Company
Disco Pride Corn
An Improved Strain of Brown County Yellow Dent
Disco Pride.
In 1906 we first ran across a variety of
corn in Brown County, So. Dak., which
had made a good record for yield and
earliness. It has been grown there and
has matured satisfactorily every year for
the past eighteen or twenty years. It
has been tested at the Highmore Experi-
ment Station where it yielded between
forty-five and fifty bushels per acre. In
1907, at the same experiment station,
this corn outyielded all other varieties
and showed a drouth resistance second to
none. In fact, there was no corn at the
Highmore Station in 1907 that was nearly
equal to this in resisting dry weather. In
type it resembles the Pride of the North
and North Dakota Golden Dent.
The original stock of Brown County
Yellow Dent as we secured it in 1906 had
not been selected for uniformity of type
or color. The improved strain which we
offer as DISCO Pride shows a great im-
provement over the original. It retains
the extreme earliness of the original
strain, but has a better type of ear. There
For Prices See Special SI
is still some variation in color and shape
of kernel, but this does not injure it in
any way when it comes to producing a
good yield of corn under adverse cir-
cumstances. We believe that the DISCO
Pride corn planted in the northern part
of South Dakota, North Dakota or Mon-
tana is as safe a proposition as anything
in the way of corn that can be secured.
Corn-growing in Montana is just in its
infancy. We have been furnishing this
variety of corn to our Montana custom-
ers for several years and have the most
favorable reports from it.
One of the strong features of DISCO
Pride is the deep kernel and small cob,,
which makes this variety shell more corn
in proportion to the size of the cob than
most other varieties grown in the West.
We have a good stock of Davison
County, So. Dakota, grown DISCO Pride
on hand this year. This corn is good type,
good germination and an ideal corn for
northern territory.
et Inside of Front Cover.
16
^ Improved Seeds
For The Northwest
Northwestern Dent
Earliest of all Dent Corn
Northwestern Dent.
This corn is the result of a cross be-
tween an early yellow dent and a red
flint, producing a type suitable for north-
ern North Dakota, Minnesota and Mon-
tana. In fact it has ripened in Canada
where even early sweet corn is an un-
certainty.
In North Dakota this corn is grown
perhaps more largely than any other one
variety. It is extremely early and hardy
in North Dakota and northern South Da-
kota. No other variety seems to have
given the uniformly satisfactory returns
in North Dakota in comparison with
Northwestern Dent.
It is extremely early and readily adapts
itself to various soil and climatic con-
ditions. While on record as having ma-
tured a crop in less than 80 days, it is
safe to count on the Northwestern Dent
as maturing in 85 to 90 days, and when
conditions are very favorable, even
earlier.
The stalk is smaller and shorter than
some of the later varieties attaining the
height of 7 feet on an average. The ears
are well formed, well up on the stock.
The size of the ear is remarkable, all
things considered. They will average 8
inches in length with 14 rows of kernels.
In yield Northwestern Dent is a sure
cropper and a worth-while variety, both
for the extreme Northwest and for the
Corn Belt.
For the Corn Belt, this early variety
fills a very useful place in the early feed
list. A few acres of Northwestern Dent
planted along with the main season crop
will produce an abundance of early feed,
fully two to three weeks in advance of the
later varieties. For early hog feed and
especially for hogging-off, with rape sown
between the rows at the last cultivation,
Northwestern Dent is a very popular
variety.
Under unfavorable spring conditions,
when replanting is necessary, Northwest-
ern Dent will deliver the goods. Under
ordinary conditions this corn will ripen
before the hot drying conditions of mid-
summer prevail. It is in truth a drought
resisting variety.
In order for us to maintain the earli-
ness of this variety we have our seed
stock grown for us year after year in
North Dakota.
The seed- we are offering this year is
from that source. In buying Northwest-
ern Dent from us you are sure to get the
early maturing kind.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
17
^isa
Dakota Improved Seed Company
Disco Flint Corn
There is always a large
demand for flint corn in
all the Northern states and
Canada. The various types
of flint corn vary somewhat
in earliness and yield, but all
of them seem to possess the
ability to mature a good crop
of corn under adverse condi-
tions. In the Northwest flint
corn is largely used as a crop
for “new breaking.” It is also
much used for late planting,
where early crops fail to
grow or for any reason the
crop cannot be planted until
late in the season. In this
latitude it can usually be depended upon to produce good corn if
planted as late as the 4th of July. Flint corn is a very good type
of corn to plant where the crop is to be fed in the field. It may
be planted either alone or with other forage crops for this purpose.
DISCO White Flint. White Flint or Flour Corn as it is some-
times called, is becoming more and more popular each year. It is
pearly white in color, the ears have from 8 to 10 rows, length of
ear from 8 to 12 inches; kernels broad and blocky. From one to
three ears are borne to each fine leafy stalk. The stalk is from 4
to 6 feet high, depending on the season, and the ears are from 8
to 20 . inches from the ground. Matures corn with a very small
amount of moisture. Is well adapted to high altitudes and north-
ern latitudes.
Gehu Flint. The earliest variety of flint corn and the earliest
variety of any kind of corn. Adapted to the most northern locali-
ties. Ears small and low-down; color of kernel light yellow. The
seed we are offering is grown from strictly northern grown “seed
stock” from the extreme North. The quality and germination are
good. If you have short seasons and can’t grow other late varie-
ties try the Gehu Flint. It will mature if any corn will.
DISCO-Squaw Corn (85 days). A very early “Native”- variety, having kernels all
colors of the rainbow. A very beautiful corn and one that is very popular for late
planting. The ears are larger than the Gehu but smaller than the DISCO White Flint.
It is corn of quite high yield and good quality. A splendid corn in every respect.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
18
Improved *Seeds
For The North west
Corn for Fodder and Ensilage
DISCO Medium Fodder.
A progressive system of farming cannot
be a one-sided affair, but must embrace
all possible methods of reaching best re-
sults. The farmer with large numbers
of cows, horses, and hogs, the dairyman
and stockman, must rely more on corn
as an absolute policy of economy in feed-
ing.
Dry fodder corn is probably the most
satisfactory substitute for hay; in feed-
ing value it is nearly equal to timothy
hay, ton for ton and will produce from
three to five times as much feed per acre.
Fodder corn drilled in rows 3 \2 feet
apart using from y2 to 1 bushel of seed
corn per acre will usually produce from
12 to 15 tons of green fodder per acre.
If one desires the fodder to be of a
coarser nature, 12 to 15 lbs. of corn
drilled in will be sufficient. By putting
in this amount, the corn will naturally
produce more grain.
DISCO Early Fodder. An early yellow
or white dent corn producing a medium
size leafy stock. Some prefer this in-
stead of the larger varieties as it ma-
tures earlier, the stalks are finer, more
easily handled with the corn harvester,
cures more readily and gives well formed
ears.
DISCO Medium Fodder. About a 90 to
95 day corn, producing a large leafy stock
from 7 to 8 feet in height. It will form
a good ear thus adding to its feeding
value.
EVERGREEN SWEET CORN FOR
FODDER.
All varieties of Sweet Corn possess ever
so much more “sugar” than feed corn.
This is most important, for corn or feed
containing this element in any quantity
is naturally of great value. Evergreen
Sweet Corn for fodder grows a leafy stock
6 to 7 feet in height and makes well
formed ears, and yields a large amount
of succulent fodder per acre. Drill in
from 1 to 2 bushels of seed per acre in
rows far enough apart to cultivate. Our
stock is limited on this variety so get
your order in early.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
19
HHt Dakota J/nprovecf Seed Company
Forage and Soiling Crops
Dakota Early Amber Fodder Cane
So successful has been the growing and
ripening of Early Amber Fodder Cane
in the Northwest that it is becoming more
and more an indispensable crop. The
Dakota Early Amber Fodder Cane is the
earliest of all canes and will mature and
produce seed in from 80 to 90 days.
The Dakota Early Amber Fodder Cane
fills the particular want in the feeding ra-
tion. It is a very leafy desirable type
for the North. Drilled in with Early
Fodder Corn it makes the most excellent
silage. Cane alone is greedily eaten by
stock and they fatten and flourish on it.
Dairy cows show a marked increase in
milk flow when cane is fed as part ration.
Big in Yield.
The stalks grow from 5 to 6 feet in
height and are very sweet. Yields of
from 12 to 15 tons of green feed per acre
are not uncommon. It can be sown or
drilled in using from 40 to 60 pounds
of seed per acre.
Dakota Early Amber Cane.
Southern Grown Fodder Cane.
This variety does not mature so rapidly
as the Dakota Amber Cane, but the yield
is very much heavier. When cane is
grown for fodder alone the southern
grown cane will produce a greater amount
of fodder. It is sweet and palatable, and
a very desirable feed for dairy cows and
sheep, in fact all kinds of livestock eat
it readily. It can also be sown thick and
used to a good advantage for pasture for
cattle, hogs or sheep. This variety is not
suitable for sorghum syrup when grown
in the North. Sow from 40 to 60 pounds
of seed per acre.
Dakota Amber Sorghum Cane.
The earliest, richest and altogther the
best sorghum cane for the North. In fact
the only variety which can be absolutely
depended upon for the making of sor-
ghum or syrups.
Plant from 4 to 8 pounds per acre in
rows 3 y2 feet apart.
Feterita, a grain which has attracted
considerable attention in Kansas, Mis-
souri, and Oklahoma on account of its
extreme drought resisting features, its
heavy yields, and earliness. It belongs
to the Sorghum family. Makes a medium
high growth and is about equal to Kaffir
corn in feeding value. Often yields from
25 to 35 bushels per acre. If sown in
rows and cultivated, 3 to 8 pounds of
seed per acre are required, while if sown
broadcast for fodder about y2 bushel per
acre is required.
Kaffir Corn. Another member of the
Sorghum family. Making excellent fod-
der either green or dry. The stalks grow
4 to 5 feet high and are very leafy. They
do not harden like other varieties of
sorghum, being brittle and juicy and
highly relished by all kinds of stock. Will
usually yield from 35 to 50 bushels of seed
per acre.
Milo Maize. Very similar in growth to
Kaffir Corn, but is preferred by many
growers who claim that it produces more
grain per acre and better quality of for-
age than any of the nonsaccharine sor-
ghums. It is grown and handled in same
manner as Amber Cane or Kaffir for hay
and fodder and will make splendid ensil-
age if cut up with corn.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
20
Sudan Grass
The Northwest
Sudan Grass is comparatively a new
crop for the United States. It was secured
from Khartum, Sudan, Egypt, in 1909.
Sudan Grass is an annual of quick growth
— the first crop being ready to cut in
from fifty to sixty days after seeding, de-
pending on the length of season and
amount of moisture. After cutting for
hay, it renews its growth promptly when
moisture conditions are favorable, and in
about 40 to 50 days another cutting is
ready. The grass stools abundantly
after the first cutting and the second and
third cuttings are very fine stemmed. It
dies with the first killing frost and your
fields are left the same as other stubble
land.
The United States Department of Agri-
culture circular 50 says: “Sudan Grass
makes a very nutritious and palatable
hay, which is greatly relished by both
cattle and horses and has no worse fault
than its slight laxativeness. Yields of 2
to 4 tons per acre of cured hay are com-
mon, and under irrigation they run as
high as 8 to 10 tons. Sudan Grass can
be cut green and used as soiling crop to
good advantage. No data on its value
for pasture have yet been secured, but,
being an annual, it would have to be
resown each season. The same care
should be used in pasturing the second
growth as is customary with the sorghums.
In feeding value it is no doubt practically
identical with the sweet sorghums, as the
analyses show it to possess about the same
percentage of different food principles.
“Sudan Grass is not particular about
the soil, but does best in a fairly rich clay
loam. It is fully as drouth resistant
as the ordinary cultivated sorghum, and
when grown in rows and given similar
cultivation it can be relied upon to pro-
duce a crop of hay with very little rain-
fall. This quality allows of its use as a
catch crop throughout the corn belt and
extends its territorial limit north in the
Great Plains region to the north line of
South Dakota.
“Sudan Grass should not be planted
until the soil has become warm in the
spring. It can be sown any time during
the summer as a catch crop, so long as
70 to 80 days intervene before the date
of the first expected frost. Sown in rows
36 to 42 inches apart 2 to 3 pounds of
good seed to an acre are sufficient. Drill-
ed or broadcast 16 to 24 pounds per acre
are required.”
As a hay crop it gives promise of be-
ing of great value in the Great Plains
region, the quality of the hay being second
only to alfalfa. Seed production has been
a source of great profit, yielding from
500 to 2,000 lbs. of seed per acre.
Our stock of Sudan Grass seed is of
exceptionally fine quality and pure. We
want you to try this grass this year and
are ready to give you any additional in-
formation you desire about this crop.
Japanese Millet. More commonly known
as “Billion Dollar Grass.” Entirely dis-
tinct from other millets. A wonderful
forage producing plant, growing from 3
to 6 feet high with a very leafy stalk.
It makes excellent hay, in quality is fully
equal to corn fodder. Can be fed to all
kinds of livestock. The seed head is
solid and produces often times from 40
to 60 bushels per acre. However this
millet is generally grown for hay. Sow
broadcast 15 to 18 pounds per acre or
drill in rows 12 to 20 inches apart using
10 to 12 pounds an acre.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
21
~ Dakota Improved
Millets
Golden Millet (formerly known as
German Millet), is the most popular mil-
let on the market. In the North millet is
grown almost altogether for hay, and
for that reason the southern grown Gold-
en Millet is the best. It makes a taller
more leafy growth which means more hay.
It makes a very palatable hay and when
fed to dairy cows it produces a large
flow of milk. If cut when in full bloom
it makes a very tender, sweet, and ex-
cellent quality of hay. A bushel of this
seed weighs 50 pounds and a bushel will
sow two to three acres.
Dakota Kursk Millet. This variety of
millet has been on the market now twenty
years. It was imported into this country
from Kursk, Russia, and has proven it-
self to be a wonderful producer of a fine
quality of hay and seed as well as a very
drought resistant plant. This variety
is especially . recommended for the dry
sections of the country. Our stock is
from the Special Select Dakota Kursk
seed.
Siberian Millet. This is the same type
of millet as the Kursk, producing a large,
leafy growth, making an abundance of
hay. We have some extra choice West-
ern grown seed.
White Proso Millet. Proso is a grain
millet and is found in many colors and
varieties in the dry regions of Asia. The
grain ripens in 60 days. It may be cut
for hay also, but the grain crop is the
main item. In its original home Proso
is used for human consumption, as break-
fast foods and flour. Experiments con-
ducted at the South Dakota Experiment
Station at Brookings, So. Dakota, have
proven that it is a good substitute for
wheat. It is also a very desirable millet
for poultry feed or may be ground with
other grains and fed with wonderful re-
sults to hogs.
Early Fortune Millet. Similar in ev-
ery respect to the White Proso except-
ing it is red in color. Like Proso it is
a good seed yielder, often producing from
40 to 50 bushels per acre. It is worth
your while to try out either or both of
these millets.
Common or Northern Millet.
After the Golden Millet has been grown
in the North for two or three years it
becomes what is known commercially as
Common Millet. It still retains many of
the traits of the Golden Millet but it
loses a part of its rank, leafy growth. It
does not yield as much hay nor is the hay
of as good a quality as that coming from
southern seed. The common millet usu-
ally grows from two to three feet high
while the Golden will grow from 3 to 5
feet high. We have a very choice stock
of common millet seed on hand.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
22
Improved Seeds
for The Nor f luves I
Field Peas — Soy Beans
Field peas are one of the best one year
crop nitrogen producing plants that can
be grown. For this reason they are a
great soil enricher and add wonderful
producing properties to the soil. This is
a fact that should not be overlooked.
Field peas have many uses. The vines
make a rich, nutritious hay, which can
be fed to milch cows and sheep with very
pleasing results. They will increase the
flow. of the milk in the dairy herd. When
threshed the peas may be ground and
fed to stock.
Sowing Canada Field Peas.
This is the standard variety of field
peas. The vines attain a height of from
3 to 4 feet, and if allowed to mature, the
yield often varies from 30 to 40 bushels
per acre.
When sown alone about 3 bushels of
seed are required per acre. They can be
matured and threshed when dry.
Peas and oats are often sown together
using 1 to iy2 bushels of peas and 2
bushels of oats per acre. If cut green
for hay this combination gives a surpris-
ing amount of feed per acre. They may
also be allowed to mature and can be
harvested and threshed.
Peas sown in the corn field at the time
the corn is laid by provides a combina-
tion of feeds that is unexcelled for hog-
ging down or for sheep pasture.
Soy Beans.
Ito San Soy Beans. Much interest has
been shown, during the past year or two,
by all leading agriculturists in Soy Beans.
The Ito San variety is a decided favor-
ite in many sections, particularly in the
Northern states and its popularity is grow-
ing rapidly.
For hogging down with early varieties
of corn (one-third beans and two-thirds
corn) it cannot be excelled. Hogs will
gain 20% more on Soy Beans fed with
corn than they will on corn alone. Soy
beans are also used as a soiling and hay
crop by many leading dairymen, who say
they “cannot get along without it.”
Early Black Soy Beans are grown in
Minnesota and Wisconsin, where they
have proven a profitable type. An ex-
tremely early variety like this is equally
desirable for every other sections.
Soy Beans should be planted after corn
planting in rows two to three feet apart
using from one-fourth to one-half bushel
per acre. If sown broadcast from 40 to
50 pounds of beans per acre.
Navy Beans. Our stock is extra select,
hand picked, true type, small sized navy
beans. Good yielders, and being Dakota
grown, are acclimated to northern terri-
tory. This variety is giving the best of
satisfaction. Sow 30 to 35 pounds per
acre in drills 30 inches apart.
Buckwheat
Japanese Buckwheat. The seed is a
rich dark brown in color and much larger
than the Silver Hull. Buckwheat remains
in bloom for some time after the first seed
is ripe. It is especially desirable for bee
pasture. When plowed under makes ex-
cellent green manure. Sow as late as
possible and still have crop well developed
before severe frost occurs. Light, well
drained soils are best for this crop. Sow
about 50 lbs. seed per acre.
Silver Hull Buckwheat, is earlier, re-
mains in bloom longer than other varie-
ties. A fine variety for honey bees. The
grain is light gray in color and has a thin
hull. Silver Hull is much preferred by
the millers as it makes a richer, whiter
flour. Under favorable conditions will
yield from 40 to 50 bushels per acre.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
23
Ditkofc /improve Seed Company »*|j|
Disco Clovers
As with the DISCO brand alfalfa, seed
corn and other DISCO seeds, the same high
standard of purity and germination is
maintained with our clovers and timothy.
This means a great deal more to you
than is signified by these words. Why
take the chances of sowing seed of un-
known or doubtful purity and germina-
tion when you can buy the dependable
DISCO brand seeds?
All the DISCO clover and timothy seed
must pass the pure seed laws of every
state. All lots of seed are tested in the U.
S. Seed Testing Laboratory. The results
of these tests are given to you on the
shipping tags put on your shipment. Does
such information mean anything to you?
To confirm these tests on the DISCO guar-
anteed seeds, we are always glad to have
you send samples of the seed to your
State Agricultural College to be tested
out. If figures compare favorably our
guarantee is fulfilled.
Medium Red Clover. Red clover is the
staple leguminous forage crop in the
North Central and Northeastern States.
While the Red Clover Seed Crop has not
been a large crop the past season, our im-
mediate territory has been favored with a
good crop for extra fancy seed. We have
a large stock of DISCO Quality Red Clover
on hand and are prepared to fill your
orders at a very fair price, quality con-
sidered.
It is very important that considerable
care be taken in choosing the seed to be
sown. If poor seed be used a crop fail-
ure may be expected. Good Red Clover
seed is plump or well filled, bright with
a slight luster, the color of individual
seeds range from violet to light yellow.
The seed should be free from adulterants
of any kind and also free from seeds of
noxious weeds.
You will find DISCO Medium Red Clo-
ver of the highest quality obtainable.
Complying in every respect with the
DISCO Guaranteed Seed standard.
Medium red clover is regarded as the
most valuable of the Clover family. It
is a dependable, all around variety for
farmers and stock men. Clover is a
nitrogen gathering plant which enriches
or increases the fertility of the land on
which it is grown. Clover should be ro-
tated with grain crops every 3 to 5 years.
Clover may be seeded either in the
spring or fall, with or without a nurse
crop. Sow 8 to 10 lbs. of seed per acre.
Mammoth Red Clover is a much
coarser variety than medium red. It
does well for hay if cut early but is prin:
cipally used as a pasture clover and a
fertilizer. It is especially desirable to
sow two or three pounds of Mammoth
Red Clover seed per acre with the small
grain in the spring. Its rapid growth
after harvest insures a good pasture and
when the crop is plowed under it makes
the best of green manure.
Alsike or Swedish Clover produces the
finest quality of clover hay. It is the
hardiest of all clovers, and is well adapted
as a pasture clover. Alsike thrives best
on low or moist lands. It is an ideal
clover to mix with timothy, as it cures
as readily as the timothy. Its yields of
hay are well in its favor. Sow 6 to 8
pounds per acre.
White or Dutch Clover. Is a low, close
growing clover usually not attaining a
height of more than 4 to 6 inches. The
leaves are small and the flower round,
white with a pinkish tint in color, and
very fragrant. This variety is especially
adapted to lawn and pasture purposes as
it will stand very close cropping without
injury. Does well on most any soil. It
is usually best to sow with other grasses,
using from 2 to 6 lbs. of seed per acre.
Red Top Solid Seed, commonly known
as Herd's Grass, has thick roots and
makes a very firm sod which makes it
very desirable for pasture purposes. Red
Top will grow where the soil is too poor
for timothy and other grasses. Especial-
ly desirable to sow on rather moist soil.
It is a good grass to sow with timothy
and clover for both meadow and pasture
and is more hardy than either of the
two. Red Top grows from 1 to 2 feet
high, with a good thick undergrowth.
Yields from 1 to 2 tons of excellent hay
per acre. For the best quality of hay it
should be cut when in full flower. Sow
from 10 to 12 pounds of solid seed per
acre.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
24
Improved Seeds
For The Northwest
Disco Timothy
Timothy. The best and most widely
known of all grasses, and the leading
grass in many sections for meadow and
pasture. It is extremely hardy; very sel-
dom winter kills and stands heat and
drought equally as well. Timothy is
adapted to many soils but seems to do
best on a clay loam. Will stand consid-
erable moisture without damage. There
are several items in its favor. It is easy
to establish, making a very quick, rapid
growth. The seed is inexpensive as com-
pared with many other grasses. It yields
from one to two tons of hay per acre. The
hay grows about waist high with a slen-
der stem and reasonable amount of
leaves, which cure readily, when cut.
Many experiments have shown that
timothy rapidly exhausts the nitrogen in
the soil. This condition may be improved
upon by occasionally manuring the field
or by the use of other fertilizers. The
most natural way to keep up the fertil-
ity of the soil is to sow timothy and clover
mixed. This makes an excellent combi-
nation, and produces better quality of
hay. To get the highest feeding value
out of timothy, the hay should be cut
when in full bloom or soon after.
The DISCO timothy seed is all Dakota
grown. It has been thoroughly recleaned,
is of excellent color and high purity and
germination. Sow 10 to 12 pounds of
seed per acre.
We are offering a special on DISCO tim-
othy this season. Be sure and take ad-
vantage of it. Look up the price.
Timothy and Alsike Mixed make one
of the most desirable combinations of
seed for meadow purpose. They are
both very hardy plants and the hay from
this combination is richer in feeding val-
ues than timothy alone.
The seed we are offering is about one-
third alsike and two-thirds timothy. This
makes a good rich combination. Sow 12
to 15 pounds of this mixture per acre.
Timothy and Medium Red Clover mix-
ture of the same proportion may be had at
a little higher figure.
Permanent Pasture and Meadow Mix-u
tures. In these mixtures we are able to
supply you with grasses and clovers which
are especially adapted to a large variety
of soils. In placing your order if you will
state whether you want it for either “high
dry land” or “low wet or moist land” we
will supply you with seed that will meet
your requirements. These mixtures con-
tain Red Top, Kentucky Blue Grass, Mea-
dow Fescue, Perennial Rye Grass, Timo-
thy, Alsike, Medium Red Clover, Alfalfa
and White Clover. Sow from 20 to 30
pounds per acre.
Dakota Improved Seed Co.’s
“Disco” Lawn Grass Seed
No one in the world is in better posi-
tion to have and maintain a smooth, vel-
vety lawn around the house, than the
American farmer. A beautiful lawn not
only adds value to a home but it adds
enjoyment and satisfaction.
On the farm you have the advantage
of selecting the ideal building spot. The
soil is good, and the required fertilizer
is available. The main point left is the
selection of the proper seed.
In mixing DISCO Lawn Grass we have
combined the very best and most choice
grasses that make a quick growth and a
velvety turf. Great care is exercised in
using the very best of recleaned seed —
pure, clean and free from foul seeds.
A mistake which is commonly made in
starting a lawn is that of using too little
seed. A thick stand is essential at the
beginning and in order to be certain a
seeding of from 4 to 5 pounds to 1,000
square feet is necessary.
The United States Department of Agri-
culture, Washington, D. C., has published
Department Circular 49 on “Making and
Maintaining a Lawn.” This is very in-
teresting and essential for those interested
in making and maintaining a lawn. Send
for a copy.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
Dakota^ Improved_
Seed Company
Disco Grasses
Russian Brome Grass (Bromus Inermus) showing two types of plants.
Bromus Inermus. A native of Russia.
A grass that is well adapted to a cold
climate. One of the deepest rooting
grasses on the market. Suited to a dry
soil. Makes the best of pasture getting
green the first thing in the spring and
late in the fall.
Brome Grass thickens up rapidly, mak-
ing a dense growth of leaves which start
close to the ground. Produces an abun-
dance of hay which is relished by all
kinds of livestock.
It is extremely hardy and is very sel-
dom winter killed. It can stand an abun-
dance of water. Well adapted to a large
variety of soils. Especially recommended
for the Dakotas and Minnesota. Sow
from 20 to 25 pounds per acre.
Kentucky Blue Grass is sometimes
called “June Grass.” It makes a very
good pasture grass for all kinds of live
stock. The sod is thick. The plant is
very hardy and stands the cold and dry
weather remarkably well. Blue Grass
is one of the first grasses to be green in
the spring. It is not advisable to pasture
Blue Grass until the sod is well estab-
lished.
Blue Grass is also a very popular grass
for lawn purpose, mixing white Dutch
clover makes a beautiful velvety lawn.
For pasture sow from 30 to 40 pounds
per acre while for lawn 70 to 80 pounds
of seed per acre should be used.
Meadow Fescue or English Blue Grass
does well on poor soil and makes a won-
derful growth on good land. The roots
penetrate deep and the plant stands
drought to a marked degree. Especially
desirable for pasture and is also fine foi*
hay. It grows from two or three feet
high. The hay is very nutritious and cat-
tle thrive well on it. Sow from 25 to 30
pounds of seed per acre.
Perennial Rye Grass. Becoming one of
the well known pasture grasses. Stands
close cropping. Does well on land suit-
able for corn production. Producing an
abundance of forage. The hay is relished
by all kinds of stock. Sow 15 pounds per
acre.
Crested Dogstail. A hardy grass mak-
ing a smooth, compact and lasting turf.
Roots deeply and withstands dry weather.
Does best on rich, moist land but will
grow on most any soil. Sow 30 pounds
seed per acre.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
26
Improved &eeds
For The Northwest
Disco Select Northern Grown
Small Grains
There are many varieties of oats offered
on the market. Tests of many of these
varieties have been made on the Riverview
Ranch. From these there are the three
following1 varieties which have proven them-
selves to be worth while for this northern
latitude.
Swedish Select. This variety has become
well known throughout the country, and
especially in South Dakota, Minnesota and
Wisconsin; also Montana. The experiment
stations of Wisconsin and South Dakota
have been foremost in introducing this
variety. Today it is standard and found to
be wonderfully drought resistant. In the
region between the James and Missouri
rivers, a dry period often comes in the early
part of the growing season. At this time
many varieties of oats are seriously injured
by drought. The Swedish Select, however,
has shown itself capable of resisting dry
weather at this season of the year and in
fact has produced some of its largest yields
in such seasons.
Its habits of growth are so vigorous that
on heavy soils it is likely to lodge, but on
light soils it has no superior. Sow 2 to 2
bushels per acre.
Swedish Postia Oats. Every year the
Swedish government is experimenting with
various varieties of small grain. At last
they have found something, the Postia Oats,
that outrival the Swedish Select. The Pos-
tia has only been grown in this country
four years. Its first American home was in
Wisconsin. Then the seed was brought to
Mitchell, where it has been grown for the
past two seasons with marked success.
This variety was bred up from the large
white oats. The grain is good sized, white
in color, plump and heavy, very strong
straw, and a heavy producer. Particularly
adapted to thin, light soils.
Our seed is exceptionally fine quality,
having been thoroughly recleaned. You
cannot buy better stock at any price. Get
started on these new oats this year. Sam-
ple on request. See special price list.
Sixty-Day. A very early yellow variety
much resembling the Kherson in every par-
ticular, but much hardier and ripens about
same time as barley. Was imported from
Siberia several years ago, making a splen-
did addition to the small grain varieties.
We can recommend the Sixty-Day as being
a good yielder, stand up with stiff straw
and not subject to rust.
Barley is the most certain crop regardless
of the season. Is very drought resistant,
yielding splendid returns in dry farming
areas. Seldom lodges even in rich moist
places owing to a stiff straw, which is also
rust resistant. Yields vary but are usually
well worth while. In comparative feed
values, tests have been made which show
that 500 pounds of ground or soaked barley
is equal to 400 pounds of shelled corn.
Manshury Barley. The best variety and
probably better known than any other
variety offered to the farmers of the United
States. It produces a good plump grain
high in protein. The straw is strong and
stiff, and seldom lodges. The heads are
long and well filled, and carry 6 rows of
good plump grain. You will do well to
sow a few acres of Manshury.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
27
Dakota Improved
Seed Company
Spring Wheat
Sow about 1 bushels per acre.
Marquis Wheat. A heavy yielding
beardless variety absolutely without a
peer. It originated in Canada by crossing
Red Fife with Hard Calcutta wheat. The
Calcutta was a native of India which be-
came acclimated to northern conditions.
Marquis is an early spring wheat, very
hardy, withstands very dry weather at
growing season as well as severe weather
at planting time.
Marquis wheat is from one week to ten
days earlier than any other variety of
spring wheat. It will outyield other vari-
eties of spring wheat from 5 to 10 bushels
per acre under same conditions. The
straw is medium height, stiff and strong.
Matures early enough so the rust, smut,
drought and hot winds do not have so
much of an effect on it. The kernel is
short, thick, plump and flinty, and rather
a dark amber color. One of its main fea-
tures is that it is beardless, and does not
shatter easily. In changing your seed this
season, consider the Marquis with increas-
ed yield and earliness in its favor.
Kubanka Wheat. It is bearded wheat
of a Durum or Macaroni variety. It has
been grown on the DISCO farm for the
past three years with wonderful success.
Have found it to be a great drouth and
rust resistant. All the agricultural ex-
perimental stations' reports place this va-
riety at the head, or nearly so, of the list,
both in yield and hardiness. Yielding bet-
ter than other varieties of Durum.
Try a few acres of this Kubanka wheat
and increase your profits.
Turkey Red Winter Wheat. A standard
red bearded winter wheat with a stiff
straw. Ripens early, and a big yielder.
The kernels are red, hard and flinty. The
best winter wheat on the market.
Speltz or Emmer
Speltz or Emmer.
The value of this wonderful grain crop
is not fully appreciated. It has been
grown in the United States for a number
of seasons, and is rapidly increasing. It
is found to be adapted to a large variety
of soils and climate. Especially desirable
for the Northwest Great Plains region.
It is very drought resistant and a good
yielder, often yielding from 35 to 50 bush-
els per acre.
During the past season trials and tests
have been made to work this grain into a
flour substitute. The results have been
very pleasing. It mixes well and makes
a good dough without the adding of wheat
flour. Makes good white bread and ex-
cellent pastry flour. Speltz will find more
of a ready market for this purpose in the
future.
It is readily eaten by all kinds of live
stock, and shows itself especially adapt-
ed for the feeding of milch cows and hogs.
It makes a very heavy feed when fed
alone and on that account it is advisable
to mix bran or shorts with it.
Give Speltz a place on your farm. Two
bushels (84 lbs.) required to sow an
acre.
^or Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
28
Improved &eeds
For The North west
Winter Rye.
Rye
Sow 1 14 bushels seed per acre.
SPRING RYE. Genuine Pure Spring
Rye, Sown in the Spring and Harvested
the same Season. Spring Rye makes an
excellent crop. It does not grow quite so
large a straw as the Winter Rye. The
quality of the grain is excellent and the
yield is usually from 25 to 35 bushels per
acre. Spring Rye is sown in the spring
the same time as other Spring grain crops.
We have a large true stock of Spring Rye
of excellent quality. Take advantage of
this opportunity to get the genuine Spring
Rye.
Amber Winter Rye, is a much hardier
winter grain than Winter wheat and can
be grown on a larger variety of soils.
Very drought resistant and does well on
light sandy soil. Rye is put to many
uses, as for grain, fodder, soiling purposes
and green manure. Makes excellent
pasture for pigs, calves, and other stock.
Rape may be sown with it in the spring
to increase the length and value of the
spring pasture.
Amber Winter Rye should be seeded
between Aug. 15th and Sept. 15th. If
drilled about 2 y2 inches deep there will
be less danger of winter killing.
DISCO Improved White Hulless Barley.
Crop Failure.
Seed Flax. Flax is especially adapted
to the soil and climatic conditions of
our northern states. There is an in-
creased demand for flax seed and with
the normal yield of from 12 to 15 bushels
per acre it is a very valuable crop to
grow. Flax should not be sown on the
same land oftener than about once in
seven years. The seed should be treated
before seeding, using one pint or pound
of formaldehyde to 40 gallons of water.
Our seed all comes from new land, and
is of very fine quality. Sow during the
first half of June, using y2 bushel per
acre.
For Prices See Special Sheet Inside of Front Cover.
29
Dakota Jntprove^~y^^^^^fs Seed Com puny
Rape
A most excellent pasture for young pigs.
Rape can be put to a number of uses.
It may be sown alone as a spring crop to
provide early pasture. It may be sown
with spring grain to provide fall pasture
after the grain is cut. In this latter case
it is better sown after the grain is up
and the ground dragged immediately
after sowing to cover the seed. As it is a
common practice to drag or weed our
grain crops after they are up, the sowing
of rape at this time can be easily done.
Rape may also be sown just before the
last cultivation of corn to provide fall
feed and increase the yield of feed per
acre, or rape may be sown with fall rye
to provide fall pasture.
The uses of rape are hardly limited to
those mentioned above, as it may be sown
at almost any time during the spring,
summer or early fall and will provide
quickly a large amount of forage.
The farmers of the Northwest have not
yet come to realize the possibilities of
rape. There are thousands of acres of
land sown to small grains that could be
made to yield an abundant fall pasture by
the sowing of two pounds of rape seed to
every acre of ground. The cost of the
seed is so little and so small an amount
For Prices See Special St
is required that there is really no expense
connected with it compared to the value
of feed that is secured. The amount of
seed that is sown per acre varies from two
to six pounds, depending upon the way it
is handled. When sown alone, from five
to six pounds are recommended. When
sown with small grain, two to three
pounds.
ANNUAL HOG PASTURE MIXTURE.
Last spring some of our local trade
demanded something just a little different
for a hog pasture. After carefully con-
sidering what would be best adapted to
this purpose we prepared an Annual Hog
pasture mixture that makes an immense
quantity of feed. It has proven of such
economic value not only to swine but all
other livestock that our customers are
demanding this in larger quantities again
this year.
Make all the waste patches about the
pasture lot produce the feed they should
by sowing the Annual Hog pasture mix-
ture. It is sown about cornplanting time
using from 35 to 50 lbs. per acre.
The results will please you because this
mixture furnishes the variety they need.
et Inside of Front Cover.
oc ^)/7%e#o//^way/
Please Read Before Ordering
When orders are received from this
Catalog the Dakota Improved Seed Com-
pany assumes that the customer has read
this page before placing his order.
Write plainly your name, postoffie,
county and state on each and every order
sent us. If shipment is to be by freight,
be sure to state whether the railway sta-
tion is the same as your postoffice or not.
Order early. A great many delays and
other troubles can be avoided by ordering
early and we will consider it an accommo-
dation if you will do this.
Cash should accompany order, and
should be in the form of money order,
bank draft or as currency in a registered
letter.
Delays in shipment. If we cannot send
your order the same day that it is received
we will mail you a card stating that we
have received your order and we state the
amount of money inclosed and the number
of the order. If this notice or the seeds
themselves do not reach you in reasonable
season write us without delay, so that we
can look the matter up. If your order
can be filled within a few days this is all
the notice we give. If for some reason
shipment on a part or all of your order is
unavoidably delayed, we will give you no-
tice. It some times happens that we are
out of stock or our stock may not be
cleaned ready for shipment, or there may
be other reasons. Write to us if your or-
der does not arrive in due season.
Prices in this book are subject to
change without notice. The prices quoted
are based on the conditions prevailing at
the time this book goes to press. If you
desire to place an order for items on which
the prices are likely to fluctuate or for
large amounts of any seeds, it is better to
write for firm prices before ordering, same
to be good for immediate acceptance.
Prompt attention will be given requests
for quotations.
I like your method of doing busi-
ness and I believe that it will prove
a winner with the farmers through-
out the country.
C. H. Lugg, Parkston, S. D.
Your seeds are first class. I have
found your way of doing business
fair, straight and honest.
I. G. Fjerstad, Bryant, S. D
We will consider it a Special Favor if you write below the Names
of some of your Friends who are likely to use Field Seeds
NAMES
POSTOFFICE
STATE
31
Order Sheet
Date 192....
Dakota Improved Seed Co., Mitchell, South Dakota.
Gentleman: Please send the following seeds.
by
State here if wanted by freight, express or parcel-post.
Name
Post Office . . .•
County State
R. D., P. O. Box or St. No
Nearest Railway Station
State here name of town to which goods are to be sent if
different from P. O.
Is there a freight agent at your railroad station?
If there is no freight agent at your shipping point, money
must be sent with order to prepay the freight charges.
This order is placed subject to the guarantee and
conditions of sale given in the DISCO Seed Book.
[State Amount Enclosed
Currency
Draft
Money Order
T otaS
Please Do Not Use This Space
Order Received
Order
No.
|
Freight
Charges
Express. ....
Collect
Parcel Post. .
Prepaid. .....
Filled by
Date
Checked
by
How
Shipped
QUANTITY
SEEDS OR OTHER ARTICLES WANTED
Amount
United States Food Administration License Number G-41870
Cut Off on This Line
Improved Seeds
For The North west
GUARANTEE
The Dakota Improved Seed Company Guarantees the Seeds It Sells to Be as Repre-
sented as to Quality and Germination. The Company Will Replace Any
Seeds or Refund the Money on Any Seeds Sold by It That
Prove to Re Otherwise
It shall be the duty of the purchaser of
goods sold by the Company in order to
claim the benefits of its guarantee:
1. To inspect shipment carefully on
arrival and report anything that appears
wrong.
2. To take samples of all important
bulk seeds in shipment.
3. Upon receipt of seed to test por-
tion of sample for germination or send
sample to U. S. Seed Laboratory, or to
your State Experiment Station.
4. If results of these tests are not as
represented or are not satisfactory, to
report this to the Company at once and
adjustment will be made accordingly.
5. To make complaints, if any, as soon
as the fact on which complaint is made
can be determined. Complaint on the
germination of seed corn must be made
within two weeks after shipment is re-
ceived. Field results as to germination
and purity may be referred to in making
complaint, but must not be depended
upon as basis for settlement because field
conditions are beyond the Company’s
control.
The Company will not insure a crop
from seeds purchased as to description
and productiveness because of the many
factors which influence a crop and which
are entirely beyond its control.
In no case will the liability of the
Dakota Improved Seed Co. exceed the
price paid for the seed purchased of the
Company.
FREIGHT RATES FROM MITCHELL, SO. DAK.
In Effect January 1st, 1920.
These rates are not guaranteed, but are made up from the tariffs now on file, and
subject to change without notice.
Rates Given in Cents per 100 Pounds, Less than Car Lots.
Alfalfa. Clovers. Grass Seeds, and Cane Seed take third class; Grain, Corn and Feeds
take fourth class as per
3d
4th
Aberdeen, S. D.
.35
.26%
Armour, “
.23%
.18
Andover. “
Belle
.40%
.30
Fourche, “
Buffalo
1.17%
.91%
Gap,
1.20
.99
Bowdle,
.45
.33
Belvidere, “
Bridgewa-
.71%
.61%
ter,
.18%
.14
Bradley, “
Chamber-
.43
.32
lain,
.26
.19%
Canton,
.26%
.20%
DeSmet.
.30%
.23
Dallas,
.96%
.78
Elk Point, “
F 1 a n-
.33
• 25%
dreau,
.33
.25%
Faulkton, “
.48%
.36
Gettysburg, “
.48%
.36 ,
Howard, “
.26
.19%
Huron.
.30%
.23
Kennebec, “
.40
.32%
Lemmon, “
McLaugh-
.81%
.63
lin,
.67%
.56%
Murdo,
• 61%
.52%
Miller,
.37
.28
Milbank, “
.50%
.37%
Orient, “
Planking-
• 48%
.36
ton, “
.17%
.13
Platte. “
.35
■ .26%
Pierre, “
.48%
.36
Phillip, “
.93
.74
Rapid City, “
.91%
.80
Redfield,
.28
.22
Sioux Falls, “
• 26%
• 20%
classification.
3d
4th
Salem, S. D.
.20%
.15
Tripp,
.20%
.15
Tyndall, “
.25%
.19
Underwood, “
1.12%
•91%
W o o n-
socket,
.18%
.14
Wolsey,
.23%
.18
Watertown, “
.43
.32
Mobridge.
• 50%
.37%
Yankton, “
.28
.21
Edgeley, N. D,
.59
.45
Fargo,
.85
.65
Grand
Forks, “
1.04
.80
Hettinger, “
.90
.68
Jamestown, “
.84
.65
Linton,
.66%
.51%
Oakes,
.84
.65
Minot,
1.22%
.94
W a h p e-
ton,
.76%
.59
Crooks-
ton, Minn.
1.02%
.81%
Duluth,
.80
• 56%
Fergus
Falls, “
•92%
.72%
St. Cloud,
.69
• 52%
Marshall, “
.54
.37
Worth-
ington.
.37%
.28
Winona, “
.54
• 46%
Minneapo-
lis,
.54
.46%
Fremont, Neb.
.66
.49%
Lincoln, “
.75
.5 6
O’Neil.
•73%
.55
Omaha, “
• 57%
.43
Miles
City, Mont.
1.30
.99
Mussell-
shell.
1.60
1.31%
3d
4th
Butte, Mont.
1.97%
1.69
Billings, “
2.05%
1.67
Lewiston, “
1.84
1.57%
Terry,
Charles
1.21%
.90
City, la.
Cedar Rap-
• 71%
.56
ids, “
.71%
.56%
Des Moines. ”
Eagle
.66
.51
Grove, “
.65
.59
Le Mars, “
.37%
.28
Manilla, “
Rock Val-
.64
.49
ley, “
.34
• 26%
Sanborn, “
.44
.34
Sioux City, “
.37%
.28
Chicago, 111.
.80
•56%
St. Louis. Mo.
.85
.62
Buffalo, N. Y.
1.58
1.16%
Dallas, Tex.
1.99
1.78
Denver, Col.
Leaven-
1.50
1.18
worth, Kan.
Milwau-
.80
.59
kee, Wis.
.80
.56%
La Crosse, “
.54
• 46%
San F'rancis-
co,
Cal.
3.12%
2.50
Seattle,
Wash.
2.75
2.29
Ogden,
Utah
2.45
2.00%
New York
City,
N. Y.
1.45%
• 92%
Casper,
Wvo.
1.96
1.65 %
Baltimore. Md.
1.42
1.00
Boston,
Mass.
1.45%
.92%
Portland, Ore. 2.75 2.29
Dayton, Ohio 1.12 .82
Pittsburg. Pa. 1.58 1.16%
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