TO OUR AMATEUR FRIENDS AND CUSTOMERS. 



After the publication of our Catalogues for thirty years, during which period immense additions 

 have been made to the list of Flowers and Vegetables, we now present our friends with a full and 

 complete list of the accumulations of so long a time, with accurate descriptions of all that are really 

 valuable, or worthy of cultivation. In doing this, we embrace the opportunity to offer a few friendly 

 and familiar remarks. 



From the small catalogue of a few hundred varieties, through the exertions of zealous florists, 

 collectors, and skilful men, the number has been increased to thousands ; while, during the same 

 time, the cultivators of beautiful flowers have increased in a very much greater ratio. Hence the 

 demand now of something more than a mere list of names to enable the inexperienced to obtain 

 some knowledge of what they desire to plant, and the opportunity of making a judicious selection 

 from the great number which are so well worthy a place in every garden. This has been almost 

 impossible in the limits of an ordinary catalogue ; and, to furnish the information really needed, it 

 has now assumed the form of " The Cultivator's Guide to the Flower and Kitchen Garden." 



Having enumerated in our Catalogues, from year to year, all these additions in a brief manner, 

 we deem it quite unnecessary to say they have been heretofore, or that our present one is, without 

 a rival, or is not surpassed by any one of the kind. This we leave to our amateur friends, who can 

 care.lilly compare our Guide with others, either at home or abroad. Neither shall we speak of its 

 truthfulness or beauty. Thirty years have, we trust, been quite sufficient to establish the former : 

 the latter can easily be detected at a single glance. It is not the result of one or ten years' experi- 

 ence in the growth of the numerous varieties, but of thirty years devoted to the cultivation of 

 every flower or vegetable embraced in these pages. 



As regards the freshness of our seeds, or their gttaliiy, we have nothing to add. Our numerous 

 customers throughout the country know us too well to ask any additional guaranty than that of 

 the many years we have labored to place before them all the treasures of the flower-garden or 

 conservatory, selected from the best sources in Europe and our own country, or grown or origi- 

 nated by us. Our long correspondence with the cultivators of England, France, Germany, and 

 Prussia, has enabled us to be xhsfirst to possess every thing new, whenever introduced. The novel- 

 ties described in our present Catalogue are nearly three times the number of those enumerated by 

 any dealer in America. 



We do not think it necessary to add that our stock is obtained without regard to price ; for no 

 really beautiful and first-class flower-seed can be had at a low rate. This is impossible. All who 

 know any thing of the growth of seeds, know that the finest Double Asters, Zinnias, Petunias, Por- 

 tulacas, &c., are so sparingly produced, that the supply is quite insufficient for the demand. Every 

 lover of flowers cannot afford to procure the highest-priced seeds ; and those who cannot are content 

 with those of moderate excellence at a reasonable rate. Because they are cheap, it does not follow 

 they should be rubbish, as is too often the case. It is often difficult to distinguish between those of 

 moderate e.xceUence and the so-called choice varieties. 



Our seeds are put up in packages, with our name upon each, and a brief description of their 

 quality, and the usual time of sowing. These are sent by mail, when desired, at the prices named, 

 and postage paid, to any part of the United States or Canada ; except peas, beans, com, and 

 potatoes, for which an additional remittance of 8 cents for every pound is required. When large 

 orders are received, the seeds will be securely packed, and will be forwarded by express. All our 

 orders are intended to be filled as soon as received ; but, in the busiest season, it is impossible, with 

 the very large quantity of orders, to prevent the delay of a few days. 



CoM.MENDATiONS. — To attempt the publication of the numerous commendatory letters would 

 fill several pages of our Catalogue. Gratifying as this would be to us, we are compelled to omit 

 even the briefest extracts from the hundreds of letters expressing the satisfactory manner in wliich 

 their orders have been executed; and the pleasure derived from the cultivation of our seeds. 



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