recommend such varieties only, new or old, as have 

 real superior merit, and while the demand compels 

 us to disseminate some inferior varieties (Hartford 

 Prolific for instance) and untried novelties, over- 

 praised, perhaps, by their originators, our Descrip- 

 tive Catalogue shall save the reader from some of 

 the bitter disappointments which grape growers 

 have so often experienced. For the sake of com- 

 pleteness, and in the interest of science, we have 

 added, (in smaller type) the descriptions of nearly 

 all the old discarded varieties and of many new ones 

 not yet tested, and not propagated by us; thus 

 adding, we think, to the value of this catalogue 

 (though also to its cost). 



We have carefully endeavored to avoid all undue 

 praise, and to mention the shortcomings even of 

 our best varieties ; especially do we desire to warn 



against the error of considering ANY variety fit for 

 universal cultivation. To this end a study of the 

 CLASSIFICATION of our grapes in the Manual is 

 earnestly recommended. Many failures will thus be 

 avoided which have blasted the hopes, so prevalent 

 ten years ago throughout the country, with regard 

 to grape culture; and its success, now aided by a 

 higher tariff on imported wines, by increased de- 

 mand for the fruit and its products, by less sanguine 

 expectations, and above all by better knowledge as 

 to the selection of varieties, locations, and proper 

 mode of culture, will be comparatively certain. 



Finally we beg to state that WK HAVE NO AGENTS 

 to solicit orders for our Grape Vines. Persons who 

 desire to obtain plants from us will kindly favor us 

 with their orders by mail, direci, or through reliable 

 Nurseries or dealers who get them from us. 



TESTIMONIALS. 



We could give a long list of names of the leading Grape-growers and Nurserymen, and of the prominent 

 Horticulturists, in this country as well as in Europe, who favored us with their commands, and to whom we 

 may confidently refer; but we natter ourselves that our name is now so widely known, and our reputation so 

 well established, that this would be unnecessary, and we confine ourselves to but a few 



EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS OF OUR CUSTOMERS. 



[FROM OUR FIRST EDITION.] 



ST. CHARLES, Mo., Nov. 9th, 1668. 

 MKSSKS. BUSH & SON : 



Gentlemen .Hundred Rogers No. 1 came duly to hand; 

 also your favor of 5th inst. The vines are fine. 



C. T. MALL1NCKRODT. 



ARLINGTON, Mo., MARCH, I860. 



THE vines I got of you last fall were the best I ever saw 

 sent out from a nursery stout, healthy looking, and ex- 

 cellently well rooted. C. W. GILL. 



COLL1N8VILLE, ILLS ,NOV. 14, 1869. 



Dear Sir: The ISO Hartford grape roots caine to hand 

 a few days since, and were finer than any grape plants I 

 have received from any one whom I have yet got grape 

 roots of. In a word, they were fine 



GEO. A. MILLER. 



CENTRAL POSTOFFICE, ST. Louis Co., Mo , JULY 30, '69. 

 The plants purchased of your firm this spring, compri- 

 sing ten different varieties to the number of 3,000, have 

 given very good satisfaction. They have all proved to 

 be vigorous growers and give promise of complete suc- 

 cess for the future. CHAS. BRACHES. 



"SPRINGFIELD NURSERY," SPRINGFIELD. MO., APRIL 10 '69. 



Gentlemen : I have just finished planting the 4,000 grape 

 vines you sold me last November. They were shipped 

 so late I had some fear of frost, but they -wereiso well 

 packed that they arrived in the very best condition, giv- 

 ing satisfaction fan Quality also, for the whole lot are 

 healthy, well rooted vines D. S. HOLMAN. 



WE8TON, MO., April 30. 1869. 



Dear Sirs: The shipment of vines came to hand about 

 the 5th of the month and have been all planted. They 

 were delayed over ten days on the railroad, and 1 feared 

 some of them might have been injured, but I am gratified 

 to inform you they have nearly all lived and look well. 

 The very low prices at which you sell such thrifty vines 

 ought to recommend you to the grape growers of the 

 State. JNO. DONIPHAN. 



[FROM LAST SEASON, 1874.] 



BUSH & SON &MKISSNER: 



Your invoice of March 1st came safely to hand. The 



vines are all in best condition, ana growing vigorously. 



LOUIS REICH, Arles-S-Rhone, France. 



It gives m* 1 pleasure to say that everybody concerned 

 was well satisfied with the quality of the plants, and all 

 unite in the request that you will send us the balance 

 ordered without delay 



W. W. MINOR, JR., Charlottesville. Va, 



The vines give entire satisfaction. I don't know when 

 I haveseen more beautifully rooted plants: the tops are 

 quite large enough and healthy. You have equalled all 

 my expectations, * * * you give 



decidedly the best vines for the price I ever heard of. 



C. W. RIDGELY, Baltimore, Md. 



Genl. Lippincott received the 400 grape vines; he is 

 very much pleased with the plants. 



J. M. TELLES, Chandlersville, Cass Co., Ills. 



The grape vines received in good order. 1 am much 

 pleased with them, I must say they are the finest lot of 

 vines I have e\er received 



HUGH ARCHIBALD, West Salem, Ills. 



The grape vines ordered from you reached me to day 

 in first rate condition. They are of excellent quality, the 

 best I have ever received. Allow me to express my sat- 

 isfaction witli the manner in which the order was filled. 

 RICHARD T. ALLISON, Baltimore, Md. 



I liked the plants, and how they compared in quality 

 with plants from * * 



N. N. PALMER, Broadhead, Wise. 



The vines received this spring are splendid, and every 

 one growing. 



HARRY C. CAMPBELL, Pensacola, Fla. 



All are well pleased wit li the vines ; you have my best 

 thanks. 



DAVID ZWEIFEL, Nillwood, Ills. 



The vines which I had from you last spring all grew 

 magnificently. 



M. WUTHR1CH, Egg Harbor City, N. J. 



The vines came promptly to hand; I am well pleased. 

 They are finer ones than I expected for the price. 



AMOS S. COLLINS, Carrolton, La. 



The grape plants gave good satisfaction, and arrived 

 in splendid condition. 



J. P. BRUBAKER, Wachusa, Ills. 



I take pleasure to tell you that the plants received from 

 you last spring all look very healthy, and are making 

 fine growth. I am proud to be able to recommend your 

 establishment to all my friends. 



FR. BETZ, Lawrence, Kas. 



The vines you sent me this fall are all first class in 

 every respect. Send me your descriptive catalogue as 

 soon as it is out. 



JOHN MAUPIN, Mt. Sterling, Ky. 



