Philadelphia^ Jan. i, i8go. 



T the dawn of the New Year we seud to our customers our Garden Calendar, trusting that the 

 incessant care bestowed on our stocks and the reputation of the house for straight and 

 honest dealing will induce you to place with us your orders for seeds, plants and the 

 necessary appliances for garden and farm operations. Our quarters at 714 Chestnut 

 street having become too small for our rapidly increasing trade, we have leased for 

 storage purposes the warehouse No. 11 North Water St. The past summer we in- 

 creased our glass surface at Riverton by the addition of three houses, each 125 by 21 feet, 

 built in the most approved and substantial manner. We trust by these additions to 

 our jjlant to give our customers even better service than we have in the jjast. 



Our seed stocks have been kept up to our high standard of excellence, our 

 plants are well grown and thrifty, our tools and implements are from the best manu- 

 facturers in their respective lines, and our fertilizers are of the highest grades procura- 

 ble. It is our aim to send out only the very best goods at prices commensurate with 

 quality, and not to depreciate quality to obtain cheapness, for in no branch of business 

 do cheap prices depreciate quality quicker than in the seed trade. 



In making our Catalogues we give descriptions free from all appearance of 

 outrageousness, and make our engravings as true to type and nature as possible, con- 

 sidering well the ftict that a seedsman's Catalogue should be rational in its tone, educational in its matter, and as 

 clearly descriptive of the things offered as a limited space will allow. It is our desire to make our Catalogue ser- 

 viceable as a book of reference, and as clear as possible, so that it will not be simply looked at and then thrown aside. 

 Our policy has been and still is to send out but few " novelties," believing it to be better to send out the best 

 grades of the old and tried sorts rather than a multitude of " new things," which are new only in name. Among 

 vegetables we can safely recommend Dreer's First-of-AU Sweet Corn, an extra early variety, maturing a week to ten 

 days earlier than any yet sent out. Dreer's Excelsior Potato, one of the varieties that has come to stay. Stabler's 

 Nonpareil Sweet Corn, a second early sort that combines so many excellent qualities that it will become a standard 

 variety. Eclipse Asparagus still gains in favor as its merits demand. Of Bush Lima Beans we cannot speak so 

 freely, as our trials confirm us in the opinion that, if fine flavored and prolific Limas are wanted, the pole varieties 

 must still be planted. Cook's Favorite Squash is an excellent variety for table use and for making pies. 



Among Flower Seeds we would call attention to the new strains of Sweet Peas and Asters, which will be found 

 very desirable. Peacock Pansy will doubtless prove a source of pleasure owing to its peculiarly brilliant markings. 

 The Poppies, Phlox, Verbenas and Zinnias sent out last season were very fine, and should find this season an 

 increased sale. 



To Asters, Balsams, Cinerarias, Phlox, Pansies, Petunias and Primroses, we give special attention, and feel 

 confident our stocks cannot be surpassed. 



The very best "novelty" we have to offer among plants is the lovely Dwarf French Cannas, which far 

 surpass in beauty and elegance anything heretofore offered. The flowers are large, finely shaped and of rich 

 shades of color, and devoid of the ragged appearance of many of the tall-growing sorts. No garden will be complete 

 without them. Our general stocks of plants have received our usual care, and we are confident they will please the 

 most exacting. The growing demand for hardy plants has led us to increase our stock, and our customers will find 

 our list contains only really desirable sorts that will bloom freely and require but little care. 



For summer decoration of lawns we would recommend Palms as being extremely serviceable, and tending to 

 relieve the monotony of continual beds of Geraniums; for half-shady places Ferns are among the best plants that 

 can be used, while for decorating the greenhouse in summer, Dracenas, Caladiums and Gloxinias interspersed with 

 Feins will make a usually barren spot a centre of attraction. The hardy climbers we offer are all good, and should 

 be planted freely. Our lists of Roses, Dalilias, Chrysanthemums, etc., contain only reliable sorts that cannot fail 

 to please. 



We endeavor to be as liberal as possible in filling orders, and strive to send our customers goods that will be 

 satisl'actory in every way. 



HENRY A. DREER, 



714 Chestnut Street, 



PHILADELPHIA, 



Lock Box i6i8. 



WM. F. DREER. 



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