January 1st, 1880. 

 , TJR large and comprehensive trade, penetrating as it does into almost every county in the United States 

 and Canada, renders necessary each season, the early issue of this general Catalogue, so only such 

 desirable and tested novelties in both Seeds and Plants that have reached us early enough will be 

 found here catalogued. In the meanwhile, should other new things appear likely to prove of value, we will 

 offer such in a supplementary list later on. 



TO CORRESPONDENTS. 



We are in receipt of hundreds of letters annually, asking for information on subjects connected with 

 Horticulture. These we shall always be pleased to answer, provided that each question is put clearly by 

 itself, leaving a sufficient blank space beneath the question for our answer. This plan not only saves us time, 

 but the answer is always more intelligible to the party in want of the information ; and unless inquiries are 

 so put, we shall not consider ourselves required to reply. 



HOW WE TEST SEEDS. 



"We think we possess some peculiar advantages as Seedsmen that we wish to tell to those to whom we are 

 not personally known. The senior member of our firm is now and has been for the past twenty-five years, 

 personally engaged in growing fruits, flowers and vegetables — in short, is a "Practical Gardener" in the most 

 comprehensive sense of the term. Our Florists' or Greenhouse establishment, which he personally superintends, 

 covers nearly three acres, solid in glass, and employs an average of fifty hands throughout the year. These 

 greenhouses, being at all temperatures, give us a certain means of testing the germinating qualities of all 

 our Seeds, and no seeds of any importance are ever sold without being subject to the most thorough test. 

 We have also for the past five years had a piece of ground set apart as an Experimental Garden, wherein 

 samples of all the leading vegetables and novelties in flowers are tested. The value of this plan can hardly be 

 estimated. Not only does it enable us to judge of what is meritorious in new varieties, but what is far better 

 by this comparative test, to discard all varieties that in our judgment are unworthy of cultivation, by actual 

 experiment under our direct personal superintendence. We cordially invite any one interested in such ex- 

 periments to call and examine them during the Summer and Fall months. Our Gardens in Jersey City aro 

 within 40 minutes' time, by Ferry Boat and Horse Cars, from our Seed Store, 35 Cortlandt Street, New York, 

 where a card with plain directions of " How to reach the Nursery," will be given to any one applying. 



FORWARDING OF ORDERS. 



We wish to call attention to the important change we have made in regard to the mailing of VegetabV_> 

 Seeds at cataloguo prices. Formerly we sent Vegetable as well as Flower Seeds by Mail at catalogue rates. Our 

 prices are now reduced to the basis of purchasers paying delivery charges on all Vegetable Seeds to be sent 

 either by express or freight. Whenever it is desired, however, we will, as heretofore, send Vegetable Seeds by 

 Mail ; but in such cases postage must always be added to catalogue prices at the rate of 16 cents per pound. 

 Please understand that this change affects only Vegetable Seeds, ordered in quantities of one-quarter of a pound, 

 and upward. When Vegetable Seeds are ordered in small quantities — by the packet and ounce — we will send by 

 mail as we have always done, without extra charge. 



Customers will greatly oblige us by making out their orders on the Order Sheets which we send 

 with Catalogue. EXCEPT in RARE CASES, ALL ORDERS ARE SHIPPED the day AFTER they 

 are received, 



We guarantee the safe arrival of all packages to any part of the country, and will also hold ourselves 

 responsible for safe arrival of remittances sent us, when made in the form of a Draft or Post-Ofnee Order. 

 "Remittances sent us in any other way are entirely at the risk of the sender. 



PREMIUMS. 



All customers who purchase goods from this Catalogue, to the extent of $10.00 and upward (In one order), 

 will be sent their choice of any one of Mr. Henderson's three books : " Gardening for Profit," "Practical Flori- 

 culture," or " Gardening for Pleasure," without extra charge ; but it is understood that the book wanted must be 

 selected at the time of ordering. When a book is not desired, its value ($1.50) may be selected in Seeds or Plants. 



PETER HENDERSON & CO., 



PETER HENDERSON, 1 



r™H E D « DERS o>, 35 Cortlandt Street, Neiv York. 



