ALLEN'S BOOK OF BERRIES 



OUR BOOK OF BERRIES— 1919 



WE have no apologies to make for the size of our 1919 

 Book of Berries. Rather, we are proud of it. We 

 have just signed a pledge with one of our paper dealers 

 to practice every economy in the use of paper — not only 

 to save it for important war work — but to save also 

 transportation and the labor, materials and fuel used in 

 its manufacture. This alone is reason enough for econ- 

 omizing. But we want to save as much for our custom- 

 ers as possible. By cutting down the size and number 

 of our catalogs, we can sell our plants at a lower price 

 than we could, if we issued a large and expensive cat- 

 alog. 



We have made the Berry Book just a3 serviceable as 

 we could. Much information as to caring for plants, 

 preparing the land, cultivating, training, marketing, 

 etc., is included, as well as accurate descriptions of 

 varieties as to season, color, size, productiveness, blos- 

 soms, etc. We have a number of copies of last year's 

 Berry Book still on hand and we will be glad to send 

 one on request, to those desiring more detailed informa- 

 tion. 



The stock of plants all over the country is very short. 

 We have a decreased acreage, altho those we have are 

 fine, as robust and healthy as we ever had. For this 

 reason and the fact that last year strawberries sold for 

 the highest prices ever, all over the country, the de- 

 mand for plants is going to be strong and we advise 

 ordering early, if you expect to get the varieties you 

 want. 



We have made some increase in our prices. It was 

 not of our own choice. We had to do it, if we were to 

 continue our business. You all know labor, materials, 

 manure, everything concerned in the production and 

 shipping of plants is out of sight. Our plants are 

 worth the price, because, altho we pledge ourselves to 

 economize on paper, we also pledge to our customers, 

 that we will not economize our quality of plants, good 

 packing, or care in keeping them true-to-name. 



Unquestionably, the country needs the fruit. It is 

 a necessity, because it has food value, it helps replace 

 staple, non-perishable foods and it acts — as oil to an 

 engine — to keep the body fit. So, from a patriotic stand- 

 point, we should grow all we can — and from the stand- 

 point of profit the scarcity of plants, fruiting beds and 

 labor, make good prices and good profits for what you 

 can grow almost a certainty. 



Yours for the best of plants and service, 



THE W. F. ALLEN CO. 



INSTRUCTIONS TO PURCHASERS 



TIME TO ORDER. As soon as convenient, after receiv- 

 ing this catalog. Late in the season we may be sold out 

 of certain varieties, but if ordered early, the plants are 

 reserved for you, to be shipped when you are ready for 

 them. This is especially important this year when the 

 crop of plants is very short. Our own crop is not one- 

 third that of last year, and reports we have had from 

 other plant-growers indicate that the crop is very short 

 all over the country. The best varieties will be taken 

 first. And, to be doubly sure of getting just what you 

 want when you want it, order early, 



