^ ^ ^ ^ 28tl7 ^ear in special (^ulture of looses. 

 To Our Friends and Patrons* 



POlSr the threshold of the New Year we extend kindly greeting to the flower-loving 

 public, and present for their inspection this, the 1897, edition of OUR NEW GUIDE 

 TO ROSE CULTURE. For twenty-eight years the GUIDE has appeared annually, 

 and with each successive year has become more complete and useful. This j^ear we 

 have sought to make it better than ever, and wdth an increased number of pages, an 

 extra'colored-plate and carefully revised descriptions, it is beyond question the most 

 complete, comprehensive, as well as the most elaborate book we have ever sent out. 

 Much labor, careful thought and large capital has been expended upon it. with two 

 purposes in view : to make the book bright and interesting and to sell goods. In the 

 latter capacity — as our representative selling medium — we ask for it a kindly wel- 

 come from all those into whose hands it may fall. 

 To the multitude of faithful friends in all parts of the world we tender our sincere thanks for the 

 patronage so liberally bestowed. The year just closed has been one of the most successful and gratifying 

 in the history of our business ; not only successful in the quantity of goods sold, but gratifying in the rich 

 measure of satisfaction they gave everywhere. We indulge in the hope that the pleasant relations exist- 

 ing between us may be cordially renewed and strengthened in 1897. 



Our Principles* 



Nearly forty years ago this business was established by 

 Charles Diugee, the senior member of our Company, who is 

 still its mauagiug head. In growitig Roses so they could be 

 sent safely by mail to all parts of the United States it is the 

 pioneer establishment of America. The Dingee & Conard 

 Co. has no connection whatever with any other concern, does 

 not buy or sell " commission " Roses, but produces and sends 

 to its own customers home-grown Roses, the best, true to 

 name, and more of them, on their own roots, than any other 

 establishment in America. 



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To deal justly with all, to furnish the best stock at the 

 lowest prices consistent with its quality, and to employ none 

 but honorable methods, have been the cardinal principles of 

 our business since its inception. We have always placed our 

 customers' success before our own, knowing that the only 

 method of insuring permanent patronage is to satisfy our cus- 

 tomers by giving value for value. We are firm in the belief 

 that honest methods must prevail against deceptive induce- 

 ments, groes exaggerations and deliberate misrepresentations, 

 factors that unfortunately predominate to some extent in the 

 business of to-day. 



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For the future, as in the past, we promise good goods at 

 honest prices, the personal supervision of the officers of this 

 Company, the efficient services of skillfully trained employees, 

 perfect system, liberal and equitable treatment ; in short, 

 everything that capital, skill and labor can produce will be 

 employed to serve our patrons better than ever before. 



The Rose Our One Great Specialty. 



Sending Roses safely by mail is our one great specialty. 

 From a small beginning we have become the leading Rose 

 growers of America, a {i^rand achievement that could never 

 have been made possible without the loyal support of the 

 hundreds of thousands of faithful friends, many of whom we 

 have served for more than a quarter of a century. In this 

 book is offered the largest and most complete collection of 

 Roses, on their own roots, true to name, to be found on this 

 Continent. Our methods of growing are our o^vn, and our 

 plants, when sent out, are full of vigor and vitality and bloom- 

 ing productiveness. They will start quickly, grow rapidly 

 and bloom freely without petting or nursing. Such Roses as 

 we send out are "far superior to cheaply grown Ro^es, the price 

 of which discloses their woeful lack of value. ^^ e solicit your 

 patronage upon the basis of quality, and not cheapness. 



This year's importations of Roses from every nook and 

 corner of the globe has not only increased our already great 

 collection, but has given us the very finest novelties in Roses 

 that the world has produced. On the first cover-page will be 

 found a truthful colored-plate illustration of the famous new 

 Hybrid Tea Rose, CORONET, now first introduced by us. It 

 is a wonderful new Rose, and to James Gunning, Jr., our 

 assistant superintendent, belongs the honor of its oiigiuation. 



For this season's trade we have made extensive prepara- 

 tions in all departments. Every one of our seventy large 

 greenhouses is full to overflowing with complete slocks of 

 Roses in all sizes. Chrysanthemums, Carnations, Cannas. 

 Violets, Miscellaneous Plants. Climbing Vines, etc. We also 

 offer complete lists of Hardy Ornamental Shrubs, Perennials, 

 Summer Flowering Bulbs, Small Fruits, Flower and Vege- 

 table Seeds. 



In Conclusion. 



We ask as a special favor that you give this book careful inspection. Bear in mind that the safety of 

 all money sent us by the methods described on page 7 is guaranteed, and remember as well that we guar- 

 antee the delivery of all our plants in fresh and growing condition to any Post-ofBce in the United States, 

 Canada or Mexico. It is the privilege of the purchaser to hold us responsible for these guarantees, and 

 thus satisfaction is assured in every instance. 



With the firm assurance that the same liberal treatment that has characterized our dealings in the past 

 will be maintained, and that every order, both large and small, will have prompt and careful attention, we 

 solicit the orders of both old and new friends. Faithfully yours, 



THE DINGEE & CONARD COMPANY, 



ROSE GROWERS, 



WEST GROVE, PA. 



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