Nineteen Hundred and Twelve 



WENTY-SEVEN years ago, I started in the plant business on a small scale. My desire 

 to please and satisfy my customers is the same today as it was when I first began, and I attrib- 

 ute my success to this fact. Many of my customers who bought from me when I first com- 

 menced business are still sending me their orders. Your order of a dime receives the same 

 attention as an order for several hundred dollars, and is filled with exactly the same quality 

 of selected plants. 



My plant business is constantly growing, and so rapidly that it keeps me on the hustle to keep pace 

 with it. "There Must Be a Reason." I have 120 acres in strawberry plants alone for plant stock in order 

 to take care of my large trade this year. Blackberry, raspberry, currant and gooseberry plants and grape- 

 vines are profitable for my customers and worth growing. It takes many thousands of these plants every 

 year to supply my constantly increasing trade. 



Ornamental shrubbery and hedge plants, the things that help so much to beautify your home sur- 

 roundings and make them pleasant and worth while, are getting to be no small part of my business. My 

 whole business career has been filled with the desire to please my customers — the only way to build up a 

 prosperous and thrifty business. Thanking you for many past favors and trusting to merit continuance 

 of your patronage, I remain, wishing you a most prosperous year, 



Yours faithfully, W. F. ALLEN 



Please Read This, and Then, Please Read It Again 



We fill strawberry-plant and other small-fruit-plant and shrubbery orders any time after November I, 

 during November, December, January, February, March, April and until May 1. From May 1 to May 

 10 we will fill a limited number of orders on any stock that is unsold and put it in the very best possible 

 order, but at purchaser's risk as to results. 



After May 10, and during June, July, August, September and October, we most positively will not 

 fill any orders for small-fruit plants. (This, however, does not apply to vegetable or flower plants.) 



During March and April, the great planting season, almost our entire attention and that of over one 

 hundred employees is given up to filling plant orders. 



We are willing to answer any questions during the summer months as promptly as possible if written 

 in a short style and to the point. Long letters are subject to long delays. This notice was made necessary 

 from the fact that we receive hundreds of orders for strawberry plants during the summer months when we 

 have no plants in fit condition to transplant, and when not one in ten could make even good plants grow 

 if we could send them, unless it were potted plants, which we do not grow at all. 



IMPORTANT TO CUSTOMERS 



Orders should be sent in just as soon as possible after receiving this catalogue. It is better for you 

 as well as for the nurseryman. 



Remit by Money Order, Registered Letter or Bank Draft; Postage Stamps will be accepted for the 

 fractional parts of a dollar, the larger denominations preferred. Foreign customers will please send Money 

 Order on Salisbury, Md., or Bank Draft payable in New York. 



Time of Shipment. From the time you receive this catalogue to May I. By far the larger part of 

 our shipments are made during March and April. Bermuda, Cuba, Florida, California and other similarly 

 located sections are supplied any time in the fall and winter after November 1. 



True To Name. While I use every precaution to have all plants, etc., true to name (and I believe we 

 come as near doing this as any one in the business), I will not be responsible for any sum greater than the 

 cost of the stock, should any prove otherwise than as represented. 



Guarantee. I guarantee plants ordered by mail or express to reach customers in good condition when 

 promptly taken from the express office and opened 

 at once. 



Claims, if any, must be made on receipt of 

 goods. I cannot become responsible for stock that is 

 allowed to lay around your station or express office, 

 for neglect of purchaser or his employees to care for 

 stock after it has been received, or for misfortunes 

 caused by droughts, floods, frosts, insects, etc. These 

 things are entirely beyond my control. 



At Purchaser's Risk. Plants shipped by freight 

 will be at purchaser's risk, and all small-fruit plants 

 shipped after May I will be packed and shipped in best 

 condition possible, but always at purchaser's risk. 



Packing. I make no charges for boxing or 

 packing at rates quoted in this catalogue. Every- 

 thing is delivered f. o. b. trains at rates named. 



Our prices include the packing and the package. 



Twenty-five. All plants are tied twenty-five in 

 a bundle. 



Payment. Invariably, cash in advance. It is 

 my desire that all customers should have the very 

 best of success and, strange as it may seem, plants 

 that are not paid for seldom do well. 



CERTIFICATE OF NURSERY INSPECTION 

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