From Maine to Manila 



Is a great distance; but in this great stretch of territory will every- 

 where be found friends who consider JIaule's Seeds leaid all. In the 

 Sandwich Islands alone last year more than five hundred gardens were 

 planted successfully with Maule's Seeds. To all these friends, no mat- 

 ter where they naay be located, I extend most hearty greetings, with 

 the wish that the last year of the century may be one of prosperity and 

 happiness to all of them. 



I now have on mv books the names of 305,2.>^9 customers, and when I 

 tell them that froiu Oct. 1st., 1893, to Oct. 1st., 1898, I paid Uncle Sam 

 S153,2-1-1.S7 in cold hard dollars for postage stamps to mail to these friends 

 and cu-;tomers Maule's Catalogues, .Seeds, etc., it will give them an idea 

 of their unsLirpassed popularity. 



1 am not a prophet, but with such a large and varied correspondence 

 as comes to rav desk, I have special and almost unequalled facilities for 



feeling the pulse of the American Public, and I am confident the pres- 

 ent times will be succeeded by even better, feople have been paying 

 their debts, which is the best use to which money can be applied.and 

 they will presently have a wide margin of cash for inveetment aLd t^en- 

 eral expenditure. I therefore predict for 1899 a brisk and prosperous 

 business for this great nation. With this end in view, I take pleasure 

 in presenting this year, by all odds the best catalogue I have ever pub- 

 lished. My old friends will notice I have re-written it almost entirely, 

 added up-to-date cultural directions for all vegetables, many new illus- 

 trations taken from photographs, etc., etc. Maule's Seeds are right, the 

 prices are right, and I expect to hear from you all early and often. I 

 have published an extra large edition of this Seed Book, so that many 

 thousand people who may have never heard of Maule's .Seeds, will 

 likely hear of them in '99 for the flrst time. To these I have this to say : 



A FEW WORDS ABOUT MYSELF. 



There is not a seedsman in Amorica who knows the seeds he sells bet- 

 ter than I do. This is egotistical, and may clash upon some persons' 

 nerves; but I always believe in plain, bold statements. 



Why I know Maule's .Seeds so well is simply because I live the year 

 around among the results they produce. My home. Briar Crest, is sur- 

 rounded each year and at all seasons of the year by thousands of trials; 

 in the gardens and fields in summer, and in the five green houses in 

 winter. Living right among these trials and on these trial grounds I 

 would be dumb indeed if any one could be better acquainted with the 

 results obtained from soiving Maule's Seeds than myself. 



During the last ten years I have tried at least .500 different varieties of 

 cabbage, more than 400 varieties of lettuce, over tiOO varieties of peas, 

 over 4.50 varieties of onions, and so on ad uifinitum. Not only is every- 

 thing tested that I sell myself, but samples are procured of every new 

 variety introduced by other seedsmen, whether at home or abroad. In 

 addition to this, my customers annually send me thousands of ditt'erent 

 samples, which they think are new and which they desire me to test. 

 These samples are religiously planted and results carefully noted. 



The exact and painstaking system observed at these trial grounds has 

 not only saved money for myself, but has saved thousands of dollars 

 for my customers. This is one reason why Maule's .Seeds have a I 

 nationrd reputation surpassed by none and equalled by few; and it is 

 also one reason why my motto "Once a customer always a customer" is 

 not a fictitious catch line, but the solid, substantial truth. 



I address thousands of questions to the soil every year, as already 

 St ited. 'rhe date and circumstances of each question are noted in a 

 book, and the answer is entered in the same book later in the season. 

 The book is arranged for quick reference, and being most accurately 

 kept in every detail becomes a part of my business conscience. From 

 this record book, aided by long experience, personal observation and 

 the permanent literature of the seed business, I make up my annual 

 catalogue for presentation to the seed buying public of America. 



Some seeds and roots are grown at Briar Crest, but I am compelled to 

 call upon tbe markets of the whole world to supply my demands, be- 

 cause every geographical section produces a superior strain of some 



particular seed. Xo spot in the world can grow all kinds of seeds to 

 perfection. America is great in extent, and I can get perfect strains of 

 many things here, but I am obliged to grow abroad also, even to far off 

 Japan. 



Everything is tried at Briar Crest; tested before sold. Green houses, 

 hot beds, cold frames, opt-n borders, fields — these are all called upon to 

 answer the question which must be answered affirmatively before any 

 article goes out under my FOUR-LEAF CLOVER GUAR.\NTEE. 



The soil at Briar Crest is only of good average quality. I do not use 

 manure excessively, nor resort to general irrigation. In fact I have no 

 especial advantages over the ordinary farmer or gardener. If things 

 grow at Briar Crest it is because they will grow under good treatment 

 anywhere. My main reliance is constant and thorough culture, and I 

 have never had a really bad or disastrous year. 



With evidence thus gained by precise and continuous trials of the 

 various seeds I offer for sale, 1 have no hesitation in commending 

 them to the public. Maule's Seeds will do their part nobly anywhere, 

 even with ordinary treatment. 



Now in conclusion, I will simply say that the earlier your order reaches 

 me, the belter pleased I will be. My facilities are such that lean readily 

 fill from 4,000 to 6,000 orders a day, every day during the busy season, 

 from the middle of February to the middle of March, I have to do this. 

 If my friends would only send their order in a week or two earlier than 

 usual, they have no idea how much easier it would be on all of us. 



Now wishing you all a Happy New Year, I remain, 



Always yours to command, 



Jan. 1, 1899. 



$1000 IN GASH PRIZES.--WHO WILL WORK FOR ME? 



Profitable Home Employment. 



In I88:i I first offered cash premiums for club orders for Maule's Seeds. 

 I have renewed this offer many times, and in 1899 shall again distribute 

 Sl.OOO among my busy helpers. The forty successful canvassers will be 

 well paid; the others will lose not a penny in cash, and but little in 

 time or trouble. The inducement to attempt the work of canvassing is 

 large, and the risk nothing. Will you try it? 



I have distributed in payment for tliis work, since beginning the plan 

 over S20,000 in cash. .Sometimes the total orders do not represent the 

 face value of the cash premium, but I pay the premium in full and am 

 satisfied. It pays me to introduce Maule's Seeds into new homes. 

 "Once a customer always a customer " is no empty boast. 



Maule's Seeds are so well known that they sell easily. A good way 

 to canvass is to carry a catalogue for 1899, and show pictures of the vege- 

 tables and flowers. A dollar goes a long way In seed packets, and every 

 housewife will need something for dooryard or garden. I will supply 

 you with fresh catalogues as frequently as may be necessary. Try for 

 the S200 prize. I think you can outsell the winners of 1898. 



All packet and ounce orders for vegetable and flower seeds sent me 

 in competition for these prizes will be counted July Ist, 1899, and the 

 prizes awarded in accordance with the following: 



For tlie largest club order of packets and ounces $200.00 



For tile second largest cinb 150. OO 



For tUe third largest club 100.00 



For tlie fourth largest club 75.00 



For the fifth largest club 50.00 



For the next five largest clubs, each !23.00 



For the next ten largest clubs, each 15.00 



For the next ten largest clubs, each 10.00 



For the next ten largest clubs, each 5.00 



In 1898 the prize winners made their money easily as shown below; 

 and I presume the same thing will happen this year. Some people 

 think they have no chance in an open contest, but I sometimes hear of 

 instances where a single afternoon's work has won a prize of So to S2o. 



All orders you send, big or little, for packets and ounces will be 

 counted July 1st, 1S99, and the prizes then awarded. The prizes were 

 as follows. Surely you can do as well or better. 



secured in 

 1st Prize of $200 for eiub of $136.30-J. \. BROWN, Custer City. Pa. 



2nd Prize of $150 for Club of $1O6.21-J0HN J. L. sniVDERS, Schaefferstown. Pa. 



3rd Prize of $100 for Club of $96.30-SaM'L. F. KaUFFiWaiV, Witmer. Pa. 



4th Prize of $75 for Club of $87.33-jaS. J. YAUGHN. Nashville. Tenn. 



5th Prize of $50 for eiub of $53.74-1. B. BRENMEAiaM. Mt. Joy. Pa. 



Five Prizes of $2o.no Kach Awarded to 

 For Club. the foUowinK. 



J4:;.U6— \V. H. Foraytli, Lisbon Centre, 

 New York. 

 !'j.33— Mrs. Russell Mann, Paris, Ken- 

 tuckv. 



Mitchell, 



:i!i.-io-K. J. 



Texas. 

 3--.">l— John S. 



Ohio. 

 :i7.87-Alfreil 



Uichi^un. 



Farger, W 

 Alferink, 



Winnsboro, 

 Ale.xanilria, 

 Graafschap, 



Ten Prizes of ?1.5.tX) Each Awarded to 

 For Club. the FoUowins. 



$3.5..50— Levi Gilbert, Rockfalls, Ills. 



33.72— R. S. Hoover, HoIIidavsburg, Pa. 



33.(X)— G. M. Carl, statp Collei.'e. Pa. 



30.2.5— Mrs. M. F.Niles, Dnrrick Citv. Pa. 



29.8.5— Mrs. M. E. Williams, Ponder.Tex. 



29,48— ('has. Hoover, Starview, Pa. 



•29.3.5— (ieo. Triscuit, Union City.^Pa, 



29.'26— Mrs. F. Hammond, Miller^on. Pa. 



29.12— Geo. Robinson, Luling, Texfis. 



L9.05— Geo. Scherb, Schaefferstown, Pa. 



Ten Prizes of tlO.OO Each Awarded to 



For Club, the Following. 



.*2.5.10— J,H.Every,Dunedin,NewZealand 



2.5,00— J. Sinclair, Bolivar, Mo. 



24,SS— Geo. A. Wise, Beaverdam, Wis. 



24.71— Mrs. N. A. Cliiles, Meridian, Miss. 

 '23.3.5— Jos, Walker, .\lIevton, Texas. 



23,30— Smith Boyd, Millerport. O. 



23.07— Miss C, C, Bvington, Naples, N.'\'. 



22,05— H. H, Stehnian, Millersville, Pa. 



22,06— Mrs, Norljert Easier, Festus, Mo. 



21.69— J. J. Woodall, Stephensville, Te.x. 



Ten Prizes of J-i.iiO Eacti Awarded to 



For Club, the Following. 



?21,43— Mrs, J. W, Powers. I.akeside, Ills. 



18.61— K, J, Jones, Rockwood, Tenn. 



I8..50— John L. Ball. Cas-sidv. Mo. 



18.40-G, C. Havs, M,I)„\ViiliHmsport.O. 



18..ffi— Mrs. Anna C, Hopi)er, Peru, Ind. 



17.30— John. C.Kerrv. Punxsutawnv,Pa. 



16,.50— W. E, Currie. Harlansburg.Pa. 



16,22— C, E, Ellsworth, .Allentown, N, Y. 



16.21— E. s. Teagarden, Boone, la. 



16.17— H. D. Gifford, Altoga. Texas. 



For Your Own Protection Bear in Mind the Following. Special DisCOUnt Oil Secds In PacketS and OunceS. 



In sending an order always write your name and address with 

 t special care, giving the name of the county. If your freight or e.xpress 

 o'tice is different from your post office, do not fail to give it. 



Write all remarks and communications on a sheet of paper separate 

 from the order. 



Please use the order sheet enclosed in this catalogue, or else use a 

 slieetof paper separate from your letter. Sign order as well !is letter 

 with name and address 



Kemit money by Bank Draft or by Express or Post Office Monev 

 Order, or else be sure to register your letter. On all amounts of Sl.OO or 

 over the e.xpense of registration may be deducted from the order. The 

 cost is 8 cents. I take postage stamps at all times the same as cash. 



Free Delivery of Seeds. 



.Ml garden seeds offered in this Calalogue are delivered free, except 

 peas, beans, sweet corn, etc., by the peck or bushel. 



I wish to call the attention of my friends to my special discount ou 

 seeds in packets and ounces. It takes as n\uch time and care to fill an 

 order for l.i cents ns one for Sl.OO or more, and so for a number of years 

 I have offered the following discount ^ounces are included this year for 

 the first time). 



$ 1.00 buys seeds In packets and ounces to the value of $1.30. 



2.00 " " " " ' " '• -2.7,^ 



3.00 " " " " ' 4 -iV 



4.00 ' ' •• 5.70. 



5.00 " " " " " ' '• 7.50. 



Hoar in mind this discount applies to seeds in packets and ounoes 

 onl.v, and is not allowed on seeds by the ' , pound, pound, pint, quiirt, 

 peck or bushel, nor does it apply to plants or bulbs. 



(copyrighted, all rights reserved ) 



