To Our Friends and Patrons 



WE take pleasure iu handing you herewith our New Garden Annual for 1896. The 

 past year has been most propitious and the labors of the husbandman have 

 been rewarded with a bountiful crop. Prices -of produce are )ow, but the ten- 

 dency is slowly upward, and we may realize fair prices for all our products another 

 season. 



Seed crops are good and of excellent quality and prices lower on most items. Every 

 one that controls a piece of ground, should secure a good supply of seeds, and become 

 a producer of the actual necessities of the family. Nothing makes a quicker return than 

 to cultivate a good vegetable garden, and many a dollar can be saved in this way, with 

 our own labor. 



Also more attention should be given to the Flower Garden by our gardening friends, 

 but so often neglected in the hurry of life. What more sweet pleasures and refining 

 influences it would exert around our home? 



In our Garden Annual we aim to give plain and true descriptions of all varieties 

 and omit exaggerated illustrations. We only offer the Cream of Standard Varieties at 

 fair prices. We omit many useless varieties offered by other seedsmen, as we think it 

 is a waste of time and money to experiment with all that is offered. With our diversified 

 climate it will always be necessary to offer some varieties which, in general, may not 

 suit all sections and soils With sincere thanks to our customers for their valued orders 

 of the past, we solicit a continuance of your esteemed patronage. We wish all our 

 Friends and Patrons a prosperous and Happy New Year. 



OUR FIRST aim is to sell only the best seeds it is possible to produce. We have quoted 

 prices as low as possible for tested seeds of higli quality, and iotelligent gardeners 

 need not be told that poor seeds are dear at any price. The importance of pro- 

 curing seeds from reliable dealers cannot be overrated. Our seeds are grown here 

 at home or under special contract for our trade, in sections best suited to their 

 perfect development, and many from stock seed supplied by ourselves and under 

 our supervision. 



WARRANTY.— While we feel that it is as mucli to our interest to furnish customers with 

 good seeds as it is theirs to have tliem, yet we cannot of couT'se guarantee a good- 

 crop in every case, as this is dependent iipoi^ natural causes, which are beyond 

 our control. But we do gnarautee that all seeds sold by us are first class, pure and 

 strong i^ermiuatiug power, in so far that should any prove otherwise we will relill 

 the order free or j'efnnd the price paid us. Further than this we cannot warrant. 

 We know positively that Cole's Seeds are surpassed by none and seldom equalled 

 in high quality. 



TESTED SEEDS.— We test the germinating qualities of our seeds. The freshest seeds 

 may sometimes fail; hence the value of this precaution to send out none but good 

 seeds. We know with proper treatment our seeds will grow, and by following 

 the cultural directions given, though brief, the least experienced cultivator cannot 

 fail to have success. 



FAIR PRICES. — VVe endeavor to meet the competition of equally good seeds, but have 

 no "Cheap Seeds" to offer. If you are offered lower rates than these, a"nd will 

 send them to us. stating by whom offered, we will try to meet same. 



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 . 



In conclusion, we tender our hearty thanks for past favors, and trusting that our 

 old friends and patrons may continue for many years to come, and those who may now 

 for the first time favor us with their esteemed orders, we shall see they have no cause to 

 regret it, we remain yours as always, Yours respectfully, 



COLE'S SEED STORE, 

 Fella, Iowa. January 1, 1896. E. M. Cole, Prop. 



