TO OUR FRIENDS AND PATRONS. 



IN offering you our New Garden Annual for 1899, we desire to thank our many friends 

 for their generous patronage in the past. 



We olfer our customers this year a fresh and pure stock of Seeds, all selected with 

 great care and carefully tested. With the close competition now existing in all lines of 

 business, the question with the Seedsman especially is, of how the quality of the stock 

 may be sustained to compete in prices with the irresponsible dealer. 



In the purchase of Seeds our best gardeners look for quality, and not how cheap they 

 can buy. If quality fails all his time and labor are lost. 



In the long years we have been in business as Seed Growers and Dealers, we have 

 gathered a large amount of information and experience, which we have tried to eon- 

 dense in this book for the beneiit of our patrons. 



In sending you our Garden Annual, we will expect to receive your valued orders, 

 and whether large or small, they shall receive our most careful attention. 



We only list the Cream of Standard Varieties, and aim to sell the best Seeds that 

 will grow, as we know by our test early in winter. Such seeds will produce a crop that 

 gladdens the heart of every true gardener. 



We issue only a plain, business-like catalogue, with honest descriptions, and so we 

 are able to supply our customers with better Seeds and larger packets, as the Seed buyer 

 has to pay for the expensive catalogues sent out. 



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 posi- 

 tively not sell any dead Seeds. We know, with proper care and planted at 

 the right season, bur Seeds will grow. But many, with even careless planting or 

 bad weather, will still blame the Seeds if they do not grow But should any be 

 sent out by accident that fail to grow when properly tested, we stand ready to 

 replace same or give value in other Seeds. 



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 interest 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 pro- 

 duce 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 con- 

 ditions, 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 sale of Cole's Standard Seeds that Grow, by speaking a word 

 for us now and then to their friends. With best wishes for a happy and pros- 

 perous New Year, we remain. Yours truly, 



COLE'S SEED STORE, 



Fella, Iowa, January 1, 1899. E. M. COLE, Proprietor. 



