INTRODUCTION. 



WE TAKE great pleasure in presenting to our many patrons throughout the country, and the 

 public generally, our Annual Catalogue of Pot-grown Strawberry plants, for July and 

 August planting, and Layer plants for September and October planting ; also list of Holland 

 Bulbs, including Hyacinths, Tulips, Crocus, Narcissus, etc., Hardy Plants, Preonies and Phloxes, 

 all of which can be planted advantageously in the autumn. 



OUR POT=GROWN STRAWBERRY PLANTS ARE OF THE VERY BEST QUALITY. 



We beg to draw the particular attention of planters to the quality of our pot-grown straw- 

 berry plants, and to the care which we exercise in growing, lifting, handling and packing them. 

 Being desirous of furnishing the very best stock, we take great pains to produce large, healthy 

 and well grown plants, and we can recommend them with confidence to all who desire to obtain 

 a crop of the choicest fruit quickly and with the least trouble and expense. 



VARIETIES— THE BEST OLD AND THE BEST NEW. 



In addition to the list of well-tried standard varieties which we propagate extensively to 

 supply the large demand, we also offer a few new kinds, which after careful tests seem particu- 

 larly promising. Among recently introduced varieties which have been pretty well tested, we 

 can recommend : Beder Wood, Lovett, Michel's Early, Parker Earle and Williams. Planters of 

 course must depend mainly on the old, well-established favorites, like Sharpless, Cumberland, 

 Charles Downing, Crescent, Bubach, Haverland and Gandy, but the newer sorts above named are 

 certainly gains, and deserve commendation. Among the newest varieties Timbrell, Greenville 

 and Marshall seem worthy of special attention. We have some very promising seedlings of our own 

 raising, on trial, which we propose to offer next year providing they prove meritorious. It is sur- 

 prising how few of the numerous varieties annually brought out stand the test and merit retention 

 upon the lists. Many, if not most of these, after a year or two of trial, are consigned to oblivion. 

 This year Sharpless, Bubach, Haverland, Lovett, Michel's Early and Beder Wood were our best 

 and most reliable kinds, and to these, therefore, we give special prominence in our Catalogue as 

 being varieties which can be relied upon by our patrons for satisfactory results. 



EUROPEAN VARIETIES. 



In order to supply a want we grow a few of the finer European Varieties. We would refer plant- 

 ers to our full and choice collection of Alpine and Hautbois varieties, which are but little known 

 and grown in this country, and which are delicious though small. Belle Bordelaise, Royal Haut- 

 bois and Montreuil deserve to be grown by the amateur. 



Reliability of Our List. 



For the purpose of obtaining the most accurate information concerning the various intro- 

 ductions, we annually procure all new sorts of apparent merit and test them carefully in our trial 

 grounds. After a thorough examination we reject the poor ones and keep the good ones. This 

 involves great expense, but we deem it necessary in order to maintain the reliability of our list. 



SELECTED HOLLAND BULBS. 



To accommodate those who desire bulbs for fall planting, we have ordered an assortment 

 from the best growers in Holland, and our stock may be depended upon as being the very best. 



HOW TO MAKE THE GARDEN BEAUTIFUL IN SPRING. 



After a long, dreary winter, with snow in sight for nearly two or three months, nothing gives 

 so much pleasure on the return of Spring as a garden well supplied with Spring flowers ; the 

 Snowdrop, Chionodoxa (Glory of the Snow), Crocus and the Scilla, which appearand flower as 

 soon as the snow dissappears, and which are followed immediately by the Due Van Thol Tulips, 

 the Hyacinths, Narcissus, etc., will afford great pleasure to the owner. A garden well furnished 

 with these beautiful flowers can be had at small expense ; every lover of flowers is invited to 

 examine our Catalogue and Prices. 



PEONIES AND PHLOXES. 



The recently introduced varieties in both of these families show great advance. The Pasony 

 is the best substitute for the Rhododendron, which can only be grown in favored localities, and 

 it is admirably adapted to general cultivation. For effective beds, masses and groups, there is 

 not another plant so useful. Of vigorous habit, fine foliage and magnificent large showy flowers, 

 the PaBony can justly command admiration from all. It flourishes best in rich soil, but thrives 

 under ordinary culture, frequently even when neglected. It is a plant for the million, and 

 deserves a place in every garden, large or small. 



The Phlox, too, merits more attention than it has hitherto received. The newer sorts are 

 especially to be commended. 



TWENTY PER CENT. REDUCTION IN EXPRESS RATES ON PLANTS AND BULBS. 



We are happy to announce that we have secured from the Express Companies a reduction in 

 rates on Plants and Bulbs and our customers will therefore enjoy the benefit of the same. We can 

 send larger and better plants by express than by mail, and they will reach destination in afar better 

 condition and prove more satisfactory. We therefore advise all who can do so to get their plants 

 by express. 



