highest standard they have been enabled to furnish their patrons at all 

 times only such seeds, bulbs and plants as have proven to be reliable 

 and on which they are willing to stake their long-established reputation. 



It is a source of pride that their patrons have recognized their 

 worth and accepted the theory that where so much labor is invested 

 and where the crop is in such large ratio to the initial cost of seed, it 

 would be folly to risk even partial failure by a mistaken attempt at 

 economy. 



Yet the vast increase in production and improvements in 

 methods have wrought an amazing reduction in the price of best 

 seeds. Varieties which were listed in the first Dreer Catalogue at 12 >2 

 cents per packet may now be had for five cents. Bulbs that cost $5.00 

 apiece a half century ago may now be profitably sold for fifteen cents. 



Many new and meritorious varieties have been introduced by 

 this firm, but not until after they had been thoroughly tested on their 

 extensive trial grounds and passed the critical judgment of their e.x- 

 perts. 



On the succeeding pages is given a brief outline of what is 

 being done in each department, together with a number of photo- 

 graphic reproductions which show better than words can tell, what 

 one of the most interesting horticultural establishments in the world 

 looks like. 



It requires a force of not less than 175 men and 

 ^ t a 1 1 women to operate the various departments at 

 " all seasons of the year, and during the busy season 

 in Spring there are seldom less than 200 employees. Of this number 

 fifty to si.xty are engaged at the store, office and warehouse in Phila- 

 delphia, the balance at the greenhouses and nurseries. A large num- 

 ber of the men began their business life as boys in the establishment ; 

 several have served continuously for forty years, a score or more for 

 over twenty years, and a very large number for ten years or more. 



Mr. Wm. F. Dreer, although active in the business for forty 

 years, is still at the helm, in the strength and vigor of middle life. He 

 began business with his father as soon as he left school, who gave him 

 a thorough training in all departments of the business. At the age of 

 eighteen he spent a season with one of the largest seed growers in 

 Germany, and a season in a famous French Seed establishment in 

 Paris. In 1892 the business was incorporated under the name of the 

 honored founder, with Mr. Wm. F. Dreer as president. By this move 

 he associated with himself as directors a number of the firm's oldest 

 employees, men whose intelligent and faithful service has aided greatly 

 in building up the vast industry which the corporation now represents. 



Interior of our Store, yi^ Chestnut Street, twenty years ago 



7 



Seed Warehouse, yio South Washington Square. 



Goods are received and shipped at the 



rear of the building 



Mr. J. D. Eisele, Vice-President, 

 who has risen from the ranks, having 

 •started as a boy in 1876, is in charge 

 of the Nursery Department. 



Mr. Herbert G. Tull, Treasurer, 

 has served the house for over twenty 

 years, and is responsible for the man- 

 agement of the office. 



Mr. J. Otto Thilow, Secretary, 

 has been connected with the firm since 

 1884, and is in charge of the store and 

 Sundry Department. 



Mr. George A. Strohlein has 

 been connected with the Nursery 

 Department for over twenty -five 

 years, and is associated with Mr. 

 Eisele in its management. 



Mr. George D. Clark, who is in 

 charge of the Flower Seed and Bulb 

 Department, has been with the house 

 since 1895. 



Mr. C. H. MacKubbin has been 

 in charge of the Vegetable and Agri- 

 cultural Seeds for nearly ten years. 



