Co Ovir friends and patrons* 



SEED ordering time is again at hand, and we take pleasure in sending all our old friends 

 a copy of our New Garden Annual for 1897. Crops have been abundant the past 

 season, but prices have ruled low. At this writing the outlook is we have touched 

 bottom, and the dawn of better times is appearing. With the revival of industrial 

 activity in manufacturing, etc., there will be more consumers and less producers. This 

 will give our fellow gardeners and farmers a wider market, and all that plant largely 

 will no doubt be rewarded for their labors and reap the benefit. 



Seed crops are good and prices very low, so first cost will not be heavy to the planter. 

 Prices have been made so as to help our customers bridge over the crises of the hard 

 times we have passed through. 



Our Catalogue may not appear so attractive as some with large, alluring illustrations, 

 overdrawn descriptions, and high-piiced seeds; but the quality of our seeds is equal to 

 or better, than any offered. We list only the Cream of Standard Tarieties, and aim to 

 sell the best seeds that are grown, at the lowest living prices. 



FLOWER GARDEN, — Every home should have its flower bed, however humble it may be, 

 and children should be more encouraged in the culture of flowers by their parents. 

 What can exert more sweet pleasures and refining influences around our homes ? 

 TESTING SEEDS. — We make it a rule to test all seeds as to vitality, before any are 

 sent out, and many a lot is condemned and thrown out, as we knowingly will 

 positively not sell any dead seeds. We know, with proper care and planted at 

 the right season, our seeds will grow. Bat many, with even careless planting, or 

 bad weather, will still blame the seeds if they do not grow. 

 GUARANTEE. — This has been discussed quite fully of late, but any well reasoning 

 person can well understand that a seedsman cannot guarantee a good crop. He 

 can know the vitality of the seeds he sells, but it is to his own interests for future 

 trade to sell good seeds. Complaints made that seeds are not good, or failed to 

 produce a crop, can often be attributed to other causes than to the quality of the 

 seeds. The very best seeds may fail, by sowing too deep, too shallow, in too wet 

 or too dry soil, insects destroying the plants as soon as, or before they appear; 

 wet or cold weather, frosts, blight, or rust, chemical changes in the seeds induced 

 by extremes of temperature, etc. For all these contingencies on which the 

 success of a crop depends, it will readily be seen it is sheer folly to warrant them 

 to produce a perfect crop; under all these circumstances, while we exercise the 

 greatest care to have all seeds pure and reliable, we do not give any warranty, 

 expressed or implied. If the purchaser does not accept the seeds on these terms 

 and conditions they must be returned at once, and the money that has been paid 

 for same will be refunded. 

 MARKET GARDENERS. — Market gardeners and institutions who use large quantities 



of bulk seeds should send for our special Market Gardeners' Price List. 

 TO DEALERS IN SEEDS.— Our Wholesale Trade List of Seeds, in Bulk and Papered, 

 sent free on application to all those who buy to sell again. Correspondence 

 solicited. 



TO OLD FRIENDS. — We tender our hearty thanks for past favors, which have been 

 appreciated, and trust that all our old friends will continue to lend a hand in 

 extending the use of Cole's Standard Seeds by speaking a word for us now and 

 then to their friends. Please accept our thanks, and wishing you all a prosperous 

 and Happy New Year, we remain, Yours respectfully, 



COLE'S SEED STORE, 



Pklla, Iowa, January 1, 1897. E, M. Cole, Proprietor. 



