F O K_ CL U A L I T Y 



The Fifty-three Years Behind Us 



The well-remembered firm of Johnson & Stokes, our honored forebears, 

 commenced business in Philadelphia 53 years ago. The 25 years' operation of 

 that firm covers perhaps the most interesting development in American 

 agriculture. They were days when the rapid introduction of European and 

 American varieties was at its height. Planters were ready and anxious to try 

 almost anything that was offered. To be sure, descriptions were sometimes 

 very glamorous and alluring. There was much renaming of old varieties, but 

 with it all there was a liberality of spirit, a friendly competition in each new 

 adventure, and a warm personal contact that is rarely found in these days 

 of codes and regimentation. 



Certain well-remembered pictures in the old Johnson & Stokes Farm and 

 Garden Manuals in the early eighties and nineties are still within the range 

 of abiding memory. It is a far call back to the days of Garfield and Harrison, 

 but some of our older customers will recall ordering Kolb's Gem Watermelon 

 from the old woodcut picturing the melon being rushed to market on a loco- 

 motive, or King of the Mammoths Pumpkin, which was pictured "still holding 

 the fort," or a head of Flat Dutch Cabbage (48 pounds of it!) more than 

 filling a wheelbarrow. You may even remember a familiar slogan, "Care, 

 Promptness and Reliability," proclaimed on a banner upheld by two baby 

 angels. (They are old ladies by now!) 



The influence of these 53 years on gardening in America may be better visualized with a listing 

 of our more important introductions. They at least show that as a firm we have made, and 

 making definite contributions toward better and more suitable types of table vegetables: 



1899, Early Evergreen Corn 



1900, Round-Pod Kidney Wax Bean 

 1900, Pencil-Pod Black Wax Bean 



47 years ago we looked 

 like this 



of some 

 still are 



1885, King of the Mammoths Pumpkin 



1886, Evergreen White-Spine Cucumber 



1887, Prizetaker Onion 



1888, Philadelphia White Box Radish 



1889, Big Tom Pumpkin 



1890, Shoe-Peg Corn 

 1890, Dixie Watermelon 

 1893, Winter Luxury Pumpkin 



1897, Winter Queen Celery 



1898, Giant Stringless Green- Pod Bean 



1900, Sparks' Earliana Tomato 

 1908, Bonny Best Tomato 

 1913, Century Winter Keeper Beet 

 1916, Windermoor Wonder Cucumber 

 1926, Vanguard Corn 



1931, The Master Marglobe Tomato 



1 932, Long-standing White Boston Lettuce 



The Years Ahead 



Obviously, none of us know precisely what lies ahead, but as far as general conditions make it possible, 

 we can say that the future policy of our Company will be as it has been for the past 52 years — to be dis- 

 satisfied with present effort no matter how successful it may seem — to strive constantly toward greater 

 perfection in every variety that we offer — in every way to live up to the ideals of the veterans of our organi- 

 zation to produce and merchandise America's finest vegetable seeds. Our country has arrived at a time 

 when anyone not making a definite contribution in his line can no longer hold a place before the public. 

 As seed-breeders and growers we look forward to greater perfection in a few varieties rather than 

 large-scale production on many. We hold that by a more integrated program it is entirely possible to achieve 

 a standard of excellence so far unattained in the seed business. 



The speakers at our 1933 Field Meeting: W. S. Porte, U. S. D. A.; H. F. Hall, Campbell Soup Co.; C. A. 

 Thompson, Co. Agent; W. W. Oley, N. J. D. A. ; Prof. L. G. Schermerborn, N. J. Exp. Sta. ; and F. C. Stokes 



