January 9, 1909 



HORTICULTURE 



43 



Philadelphia, January i, 1909. 

 TO MARKET GARDENERS AND FLORISTS:— 



In this BLUE LIST the same varieties of seeds are offered as in our Retail Catalog, but the prices are lower. It is 

 only fair that those who plant tor profit and, consequently, use larger quantities of seeds, should buy at lower prices than 

 does the private planter. The Market Gardener and Florist, however, whose earnings depend upon product of the seeds 

 planted, recognizes more surely even than the amateur the necessity of first-class strains that can he relied upon to come 

 hue to typf. 



The steady increase from year to year in the Burpee Business is due to the constantly widening circle of planters who 

 have confidence both in the quality of our seeds and the faithfulness of the service rendered. We owe hearty thanks to many 

 friends who have so kindly recommended Burpee's Seeds to their neighboring gardeners. 



We are exclusively a mail-order house and never travel a single mile to solicit an order ! Neither do we annoy you 

 by "follow-up" letters. We annually travel many thousands of miles, however, both in America and Europe, to inspect 

 our contract-growing crops and conduct on our Pennsylvania and New Jersey farms the largest and most complete trial 

 grounds in America. We thus kncrj) the truth of our motto 



aimdl are 



ds that Gr©w 



It is not astonishing, therefore, that for years 

 order seed trade in the world. 



have had the largest mail- 



Our entire attention is devoted to producing and distributing Seeds. — Seeds 

 only and only Seeds of the Best Quality. Our aim is to do this one thing wc. I, 

 — consequently we do not handle Dutch bulbs, small fruits, nursery stock, nor other 

 kindred lines such as fertilizers, implements and poultry supplies. 



The small illustration herewith shows the Fifth Street frontage of The Burpee 

 Building, our main city warehouse. Here we are pleased to welcome all customers 

 who may have occasion to visit Philadelphia and to give those interested an invitation 

 to inspect our Pennsylvania and New Jersey farms during the growing season. We 

 have nothing to conceal and are always glad to show everything of interest both in 

 the city warehouses and on our trial grounds and seed farms. 



In accordance with our long-established custom when introducing novelties of unusual merit, we offer special cash 

 prizes on the first season's trials of the unique new D\VARF-GIA^ T Tomato and Earliest Catawba Corn. Both are well 

 worthy, of thorough trial by market gardeners whose trade demands quality in vegetables. 



The introduction of sterling Novelties, generally, is not directly a money-making proposition to us. Frequently our 

 entire sales the first year, as with two unique Bush Limas, The Fokdhook and The Burpeb-Improved, introduced in 1907 

 (when they sold at 12 beans for a quarter), do not suffice to cover the cost of the varieties and expense of introduction. Just 

 like the conduct of our extensive Trial Grounds, however, the introduction of such novelties pays indirectly in helping to ex- 

 tend our trade. Our business is our pleasure. The interests of buyer and seller should be really mutual. We would not 

 seek your trade did we not know that we could give you one hundred cents in value for every dollar expended. 



The prices printed have been fixfd at actual values as they appear to-day (December 2S, 1908). Wherever pcssible, 

 however, should stocks warrant, we shall be pleased to make quotations by mail or wire to buyers of large quantities of 

 any special varieties. Trusting you will favor us with an order and that you may have a successful and profitable season. 



We remain, sincerely yours, 

 Burpee Building : 



475 and 477 North Fifth Street, ///^ 



476 and 478 York Avenue. 

 Other Warehouses: 



463 North Fifth Street, 

 468 and 470 York Avenue. 



PHILADELPHIA, PA., U. S. A. 



Seed Gardens and Trial Grounds at FORDHOOK FARMS, Bucks County, Pa., 

 and »t our new SUNNYBROOK FARM, in Gloucester County, New Jersey. 



ABOVE is repeated -.rrbatim the introduction from BURPEE'S BLUE LIST —the most complete Wholesale Seed Catalog for those who 

 plant for profit and which is now ready for mailing If you as a Florist or Market Gardener appreciate the value of quality in seeds and are willing to pay 

 a fair price for the best it is possible to procure, we shall be pleased to mail you a copy of this catalog. We must ask you in applying, however, to 7tame 

 this tra.tf /•at'er as the BLUE LIST is never intentionally sent to any private planter. If you have not already received our Retail Catalog 

 BURPEE'S FARM ANNUAL for 1909, we shall be pleased to send you this also. 



SWEET PEAS are a great specialty with us and we have the largest and finest collection in America. Our prices are higher than those of 

 ome other houses but the care with which the varieties are grown and the quality of the seed in every case warrants the prices charged. 



While it is not our custom to advertise " Seasonable Seeds," with prices, from time to time, yet we are are always prepared with fresh, new crop 

 seed of the choicest quality and make this prominent announcement that ALL FLORISTS and MARKET G.\RDENERS who subscribe to the trade 

 papers may apply now and have on hand for reference when occasion may require both our catalogs. 



W. ATLEE BURPEE 



