14 ALLEN'S BOOK OF BERRIES— 1926 



7. Grading and Packing. Our plants are dug fresh for shipment each day. 

 Practically all of them are shipped out within 24 hours after they are dug. The 

 plants are counted and bunched in our packing houses which have dirt floors. 

 This prevents the wind and sun from drying out the roots, and the dirt floor also 

 helps keep them fresh and moist. But the roots of all our plants are moistened 

 before packing, which aids the plants in keeping fresh and "plump" in transporta- 

 tion, rather than dry and withered. The counters are instructed to throw out any 

 broken, immature, poorly rooted plants, and close supervision is given to see that 

 this is done. Twenty-five good plants are in each bunch. The plants are packed in 

 light, strong crates. The tops of plants are packed outside to give air and prevent 

 possible heating. The roots inside are well packed in light sphagnum moss to help 

 keep the plants and roots fresh and moist. Neatly tied bundles and well straight- 

 ened roots make planting easier, cheaper, and better. 



Mr. D. M. Peck, of Meigs County, Ohio, says, "The plants you sent me surely 

 are the finest plants that I ever saw. I am awfully well pleased with them. I send 

 many thanks to The W. F. Allen Company. If I have good luck, I will have ber- 

 ries next spring as large as half gallon tins. Mr. Allen, my plants were sure in nice 

 shape. The moss was nice and damp and the plants were just as fine as they were 

 the day you put them up. Thank you for your kindness." 



Mr. W. S. Lynn, of Forrest County, Miss., wrote us, "The strawberry plants 

 that you shipped me on January 19th, arrived five days later, fresh as the Prover- 

 bial Daisy. I consider your plants the cheapest that I ever bought. Owing to their 

 fine root system every plant grew, the Cooper being now in bloom. Being pruned, 

 ready for setting, the express charges were less, the count was most liberal and I 

 planted them in one-half the time required to plant untrimmed plants. For these 

 reasons I can heartily recommend yours as a House selling Quality Plants Cheap." 



8. Prompt Shipment. It adds something to the value of your plants to have 

 them at hand at the proper time. We have the climate, the help and the personal 

 supervision and interest in our business that gets things done on time. We can 

 make prompt shipment of your order. 



Mrs. W. F. Costin, of Northampton County, Va., says, "The Chesapeake 

 Strawberry Plants came promptly and in good order. They were set out in two 

 days, as they arrived Sunday, and I think I should tell you that I did not lose one, 

 and they are simply flying. Never saw anything growing better." 



Mr. J. W. Everal, of Franklin County, Ohio, wrote us, "I just wanted to 

 write you folks concerning the last order I sent you and how it came out. Each 

 party concerned acted without delay and everybody at this end of the line were 

 very highly pleased with the splendid plants they got and the promptness in which 

 their order was filled. It was surely a record breaker, considering the distance be- 

 tween the two principals. I passed my 80th birthday, March 3, 1925. Should I be 

 living a year hence, I hope to still do some business with you." 



Personal Interest and Supervision. As our old customers know, this business 

 is run by Mr. W. F. Allen and three sons, Fulton, Lee and Albert. In "plant 

 season" we are all on the job all day long, and usually well into the night. We 

 personally supervise the digging, cleaning, counting and grading of your order. 

 We actually do the packing ourselves, practically all the time. We see to it that 

 you get good, true-to-name plants, properly put up, and packed to reach you in 

 thrifty, growing condition. We believe this personal interest by men who have a 

 lifetime experience in the business will be reflected in your results. 



Allen's Selected True-to-Name Plants are your insurance against (1) under- 

 sized, poorly rooted plants; (2) mixed plants; (3) plants dried out by exposure to 

 sun and wind in handling; (4) plants received in poor condition due to improper 

 packing and other things which detract from the value of Strawberry Plants. 



